June 19, 2019
Cincinnati Reds — Well, it happened again. Raisel Iglesias entered a one-run game with one on and one out in the eighth, and struck out two in the heart of the order. With his spot coming up third in the ninth, he was never going to finish the game, so it was Michael Lorenzen with his second save in as many days. In his postgame news conference, manager David Bell said that the eighth inning “was the game” and the team couldn’t afford to save Iglesias for the ninth. Although Bell denied any permanent change in the pecking order, this kind of matchup-based fireman-style swap is enough to get Iglesias the asterisk of uncertainty. Those in desperate need of relief might try the speculative Lorenzen add anyway, in hopes that Iglesias gets traded.
Updated hierarchy: *Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets — Mickey Callaway found a new way to sound like a crazy person on Tuesday, explaining that he went to Robert Gsellman in garbage time to (a) save Jacob deGrom’s ERA somehow, and (b) ensure the team didn’t blow the lead. The Mets bullpen was without Jeurys Familia, who returned to the IL with a recurrent bone spur in his shoulder, but we’d expect even Robinson Cano could have earned two outs before the Braves scored eight.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Gsellman.
Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes got the ninth again — in a tie game that didn’t end till the 17th — after two straight appearances in the eighth. He’s still at the top of the Boston bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Workman | Brasier.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins — Adam Conley’s recent struggles have allowed Tayron Guerrero and Nick Anderson to dislodge him from the late innings in Miami.
Updated hierarchy: Romo | Guerrero | Anderson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Craig Stammen — Kirby Yates has gone in three straight.
2. Wily Peralta — Ian Kennedy (59 pitches in two days) might get a second day off.
Thursday:
1. Daniel Hudson — An appearance on Wednesday would be three in four days for Joe Biagini.
2. Michael Lorenzen/Amir Garrett — All three of the Reds’ top options have pitched in two straight games.
3. Tony Watson/Reyes Moronta — Will Smith has gone in three of five.
