September 28, 2019

New York Mets — Seth Lugo pitched the last two innings of his season yesterday, throwing 41 pitches to earn his sixth save of the year. After the game manager Mickey Callaway said that Lugo will be shut down for the final two games of the year. Lugo was excellent for the Mets, posting a 0.90 WHIP over 80 innings, but with him shut down, and with Justin Wilson and Robert Gsellman also likely done for the year, look for Edwin Diaz to get any save chances this weekend. 

Updated hierarchy: *Diaz | Familia | Avilan.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Joakim Soria/Yusmeiro Petit – Liam Hendriks has pitched in three straight games; Soria has gone in three of four. 
2. Kevin Ginkel – Archie Bradley has pitched in three of four. 
3. Luke Jackson – Atlanta has locked in its playoff position, and may choose to rest Mark Melancon and Shane Greene, both of whom have pitched in two of the last three. 
4. Carlos Estevez – Jairo Diaz threw 28 pitches last night, and with Colorado playing for nothing, they may choose to rest him. 
5. Ryne Stanek – Jose Urena has pitched in back-to-back and three of four. 

Tomorrow:
1. Nick Anderson – Today would be back-to-back for Emilio Pagan. The Rays are tied with Oakland for the top wild card spot, so two wins are important, but Pagan’s postseason health is also important.
2. Zack Britton – With the Yankees locked in their playoff spot, if Aroldis Chapman pitches today they probably will not send him out tomorrow. 
3. Daniel Hudson/Hunter Strickland/FERNANDO RODNEY – If Washington wins today (or Milwaukee loses), the Nationals will be locked into the top wild card spot and probably will save their hierarchy for the wild card game. That means we could see old friend Fernando Rodney get one more save chance.