June 6, 2019
Chicago Cubs — As we told you last night, the Cubs locked down Craig Kimbrel with a three-year, $43 million contract. Kimbrel will take over as the Cubs’ closer — with the blessing of Pedro Strop — after a few weeks to rebuild arm strength. Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, Strop got the night off and (as we predicted) Steve Cishek fought his way through some trouble to earn the save.
Hierarchy remains: *Strop | Cishek | Kintzler.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles — Shawn Armstrong was the first reliever out of the bullpen to protect a one-run lead in the seventh. Our guess is that Mychal Givens’s break from the ninth inning is over and he’ll get the next shot, but nothing is clear yet.
Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Armstrong | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — What are you doing Friday night? Can you get to Philly by 7 pm to throw some middle relief? Seranthony Dominguez could be the seventh Phillies reliever to hit the injured list after showing symptoms of an elbow strain on Wednesday. Edgar Garcia has been crushed in his last two appearances (7 ER, 0.2 IP), and beyond him, the cupboard is pretty bare: Juan Nicasio, converted starter Vince Velasquez, and J.D. Hammer and his Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn glasses. Unless you can make it to Citizens Bank Park tomorrow. A spot in the hierarchy awaits.
Hierarchy remains: Neris | Dominguez | Garcia.
Texas Rangers — Two blown saves in his last three attempts could spell the end of Shawn Kelley’s term as closer. Jose Leclerc is lelurking.
Hierarchy remains: *Kelley | Leclerc | Martin.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Wander Suero/Tanner Rainey — Sean Doolittle has pitched in four of five. Suero and Rainey have each gone in two straight.
2. Joe Biagini — Ken Giles has gone in two straight, throwing 46 pitches.
3. Justin Anderson — Hansel Robles has gone in two straight, including a four-out appearance Wednesday. Ty Buttrey threw 43 pitches yesterday.
Friday:
1. Nick Wittgren — Brad Hand has gone in two straight.
2. Vince Velasquez/Juan Nicasio — Even with today off, Hector Neris has had a heavy recent workload.
