July 4, 2019
Arizona Diamondbacks — This is as close to an update as Torey Lovullo will let us give you today: Greg Holland is out as closer. Evidently eager to deliver a vote of confidence after Tuesday’s 30-pitch blown save debacle, Lovullo used Holland to protect a one-run lead in the ninth. Two batters later, the game was tied. Lovullo had no substantive comment after the game and planned to use today’s off day to think through the situation with a clear head. With Holland’s reduced velocity and clear control problems, the only mystery is who’ll have the job on Friday — veteran Yoshihisa Hirano (156 saves in Japan; 9.8 K/9), rookie Yoan Lopez (1.36 ERA, .174 BAA, but only 6.5 K/9), or dark horse lefty Andrew Chafin (11.2 K/9 but .257 BAA; Rod Beck-style mustache skills). We’ll keep handicapping them in that order, but anything could happen.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Hirano | Lopez.
Oakland A’s — Blake Treinen returned from the IL on Wednesday, but will be eased back into the closer role, sharing opportunities for now with reigning AL Reliever of the Month Liam Hendriks. Don’t give up on Hendriks yet, especially with Treinen giving up a run and getting the loss in his debut. We’ll stick the committee asterisk on the situation for now.
Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Hendriks | Trivino.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — The past seven weeks have seen a different Jose Alvarado than the reliever who dominated April and May. After allowing six runs on Wednesday, Alvarado identified a mechanical flaw as the source of his struggles. It seems likely that a different member of the Rays committee will get the next shot at the ninth inning.
Updated hierarchy: *Pagan | Alvarado | Roe.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs — Craig Kimbrel blew his first save for the Cubs; his numbers are putrid, but he remains confident. Behind him, Brandon Kintzler has edged ahead of Steve Cishek to be second in line.
Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Strop | Kintzler.
Cincinnati Reds — Just when we thought Michael Lorenzen was ascendant in the Reds’ bullpen, the team has turned to Raisel Iglesias for two saves in four days. They’ll likely continue to showcase him if they can to boost his trade value.
Updated hierarchy: *Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants — The Giants have a surplus of good relievers in the late innings. Reyes Moronta, Sam Dyson, Tony Watson, and Will Smith appear to have cemented their situational roles from the sixth inning on.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Watson | Dyson.
Baltimore Orioles — Mychal Givens pitched in a tied eighth inning, and the Orioles exploded off Jose Alvarado to take a six-run lead. Richard Bleier created a save situation with three runs allowed, and Shawn Armstrong converted it with a strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Armstrong | Castro.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — A strength of the Mariners betrayed them last night, as Austin Adams and Roenis Elias combined to blow a two-run lead in the ninth. Adams loaded the bases and Elias cleared them.
Hierarchy remains: *Elias | Adams | Bass.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox — Kelvin Herrera and his 7.89 ERA can’t be considered the favorite to take over the ninth on the South Side if Alex Colome gets traded this month. Herrera is already looking up at Aaron Bummer, and Evan Marshall and Juan Minaya are in line to supplant him.
Updated hierarchy: Colome | Bummer | Herrera.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Nick Wittgren — Brad Hand has appeared in three of the last four.
2. Wander Suero/Fernando Rodney — Sean Doolittle has gone in two straight and three of four (76 pitches!)
3. Pedro Strop — Craig Kimbrel is still being eased in.
4. Michael Lorenzen — Raisel Iglesias has appeared in three of four games.
5. Lou Trivino — We probably won’t see Blake Treinen back-to-back and Liam Hendriks has already done two straight (two innings yesterday).
6. Anthony Bass — Roenis Elias and Austin Adams have each gone in two in a row.
Friday:
1. Joe Biagini — Ken Giles has pitched in two straight.
2. Ty Buttrey/Cam Bedrosian — Hansel Robles and Bedrosian have gone in two straight.
3. Suero/Rodney — Doolittle could get two days off.
