September 19, 2019
Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen pieced together three straight solid outings, leading Dodgers fans to wonder if the closer had finally turned the corner and regained his edge. Then came Wednesday and his career-high eighth blown save. The only upside for LA was that their loss kept the Yankees up late and prevented them from clinching the AL East.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Baez.
Baltimore Orioles — Hunter Harvey was supposedly recovered from last week’s biceps soreness, but Brandon Hyde let Miguel Castro blow a four-run lead in the ninth without so much as getting Harvey up. After the game, Hyde confirmed that Harvey would be shut down for the rest of the season. This is a big deal: it’s no exaggeration to say that a healthy Harvey down the stretch could have been the difference between a 51-111 Orioles team no one wants to watch and a 53-109 Orioles team no one wants to watch.
Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Armstrong | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — Jose Alvarez keeps getting late-inning holds, including Wednesday’s eighth-inning bridge to Hector Neris. Also playing an important role in recent high-leverage spots has been Blake Parker, former Twins closer.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Alvarez | Parker.
Seattle Mariners — As we suspected, now that Matt Magill is healthy, he’s back at the top of Seattle’s closer committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Magill | Bass | Tuivailala.
* = closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays — The Jays rested Ken Giles a day earlier than we predicted, going to Derek Law in the ninth after an epic Orioles collapse. Law didn’t make it easy, loading the bases and giving up a run, but he ultimately escaped with the save.
Hierarchy remains: Giles | Law | Adam.
Tampa Bay Rays — All it took was an 11-inning tilt using nine Rays pitchers for Peter Fairbanks (7.94 ERA) to get his second save in eight days. We don’t expect another.
Hierarchy remains: Pagan | Anderson | Drake.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Steve Cishek — Rowan Wick has thrown 51 pitches in the last three days and Brandon Kintzler won’t be back until Friday.
2. Nick Goody — There’s no guarantee Brad Hand is available.
3. Matt Barnes/Josh Taylor — Brandon Workman might get a second straight day off.
4. Paul Fry — DON’T STREAM AN ORIOLES RELIEVER.
Friday:
1. Jose Alvarez/Blake Parker — Hector Neris has pitched in two straight (40 pitches). Alvarez has also pitched back-to-back.
2. Michael Lorenzen — The Reds don’t play today, but Iglesias could get two days off.
3. Sergio Romo — Same with Taylor Rogers.
