September 2, 2019
Los Angeles Dodgers – Pedro Baez collected his first save of the year on Sunday, throwing a scoreless 11th inning after the Dodgers took a 1-run lead. Kenley Jansen and Joe Kelly had already pitched earlier in the game.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Baez.
Milwaukee Brewers – Junior Guerra had another solid outing yesterday, helping the Brewers protect a 1-run lead late in the game. Guerra has now allowed just 2 runs in his last 14.2 innings and has returned to his past position as the most likely handcuff when Josh Hader is unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Hader | Guerra | Albers.
Miami Marlins – The Marlins activated Jose Urena before Sunday’s game, and the converted starter pitched a clean inning, albeit in a losing effort. Urena is likely to get a crack at the closer role down the stretch; whether the Marlins find themselves leading late in games is another matter.
Updated hierarchy: *Urena | Stanek | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles – Shawn Armstrong returned from the IL on Sunday; consider him one of a handful of Orioles who could get a save chance down the stretch.
Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Armstrong | Harvey.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Amir Garrett/Robert Stephenson – Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen are both unlikely to be available today.
2. Joe Kelly – Kenley Jansen has gone back to back.
3. Junior Guerra – Josh Hader has gone back to back.
Tomorrow
1. Shane Greene – If Mark Melancon goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. Rowan Wick – Craig Kimbrel had a rough outing Sunday; if he pitches again today, he’ll likely get Tuesday off.
3. Mike Morin – Hector Neris went 1.2 innings yesterday; if he goes again today, he’ll likely get Tuesday off.
Seth Lugo records save
September 1, 2019
New York Mets — Seth Lugo recorded his fourth save of the season on Saturday. Lugo is clearly the first option when he is available but he threw two innings for the third time in his last four appearances. Edwin Diaz is likely still in the mix for saves just because Lugo won’t usually go back-to-back because he pitches multiple innings.
Hierarchy remains: *Lugo | Diaz | Wilson.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks — Archie Bradley picked up his 10th save of the season on Saturday and his 9th save in the month of August. There is no committee in Arizona and we will go ahead and get rid of that asterisk. Meanwhile, Kevin Ginkel pitched 1.2 perfect innings ahead of Bradley to record his 4th hold in his past 7 appearances.
Updated hierarchy: Bradley | Ginkel | Lopez.
San Francisco Giants — Reyes Moronta left the game yesterday, and it didn’t look good. Moronta will have an MRI but it looks like he will miss time. If he does, Sam Coonrod could see more time at the back end of the Giants’ bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: Smith | Watson | Moronta.
Los Angeles Angels — Cam Bedrosian has been placed on the IL with a right forearm strain. Keynan Middleton has a couple of scoreless appearances since returning from injury and he could see more time in the later innings as a result of Bedrosian’s injury.
Updated hierarchy: Robles | Buttrey | Middleton.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Yoan Lopez – Archie Bradley and Kevin Ginkel have both gone in two straight, throwing 2.2 innings each
Monday
1. Joe Kelly – If Kenley Jansen pitches today it will be two straight and the Dodgers might be cautious with him down the stretch
2. Nick Anderson – If Emilio Pagan pitches today, it will be two straight and three of four, including a 2.1 inning outing on Thursday.
