July 27, 2020
Miami Marlins – While a sizable contingent of the Marlins tested positive for COVID over the weekend, their bullpen appears largely unaffected for now, and on Sunday, carrying a lead into the 8th inning, they went to veteran Brad Boxberger ahead of Brandon Kintzler, who pitched the 9th. We’ll move Box up accordingly.
Hierarchy change: Kintzler | Boxberger | Y. Garcia.
Baltimore Orioles – Cole Sulser, who we had totally heard of before yesterday, pitched the final two innings of Sunday’s game for the Orioles, picking up his first career save. The 30-year-old righty had logged 7 big league appearances to that point — all with Tampa Bay last year — and is still sporting a 0.00 career ERA. Watch out, Ed Walsh. Seriously though, this was a strong outing, and while we’re leaving Mychal Givens and Richard Bleier at the top of the committee (they worked the last two innings in the Orioles’ victory on Saturday), we’ll slot Sulser in right behind them.
Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Bleier | Sulser.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – The ostensible Seattle committee leader, Matt Magill, took the ball for the first time this season on Sunday, as the Mariners were hoping to maintain a 1-run deficit against the Astros. Unfortunately for Magill owners, this moment came in the 5th inning. So, yeah. The M’s retook the lead later in the game, resulting in a win for Dan Altavilla, who pitched the 7th; a hold for Anthony Misiewicz, who pitched the 8th; and the first career save for righty Taylor Williams. We don’t have any idea what the plan is going forward, but in the world of bullpens, a converted save begets more opportunities, so we’ll move Williams on to the hierarchy and watch how the M’s play this going forward. One more save and he’ll move to the top.
Updated hierarchy: *Altavilla | T. Williams | Misiewicz.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s – With all their top arms rested, the A’s went with Joakim Soria, Jake Diekman, and Liam Hendriks to secure the victory over the Angels. It’s the second time this season they’ve used that trio in that order, so we’ll line up Hendriks’ set-up men accordingly.
Updated hierarchy: Hendriks | Diekman | Soria.
San Francisco Giants – Trevor gott himself another save on Sunday, his second in as many days. Tony Watson, meanwhile, has only pitched once thus far, and it came in the 8th. We’re considering Gott the new committee leader for now, and may elevate him to the full time role if the Giants continue to look to him in the 9th.
Updated hierarchy: *Gott | Watson | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee
Buffalo Blue Jays – Ken Giles left Sunday’s game in evident pain, and will undergo an MRI on his right elbow, putting his season in doubt. Per the Toronto Star, Jordan Romano, Anthony Bass, and Rafael Dolis seem like the top options to get save chances in his absence.
Updated hierarchy: *Bass | Dolis | Romano.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Buck Farmer – Joe Jimenez has gone two straight.
2. Jake Diekman – Liam Hendriks threw 1.1 innings yesterday, an dhas thrown 44 pitches through the season’s first three games. He might get the day game off today.
3. Emilio Pagan – Kirby Yates has gone in back to back games, including a 28-pitch blown save last night.
Tomorrow
1. Brad Boxberger – If Brandon Kintlzer goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
