August 21, 2016
Arizona Diamondbacks — Enrique Burgos recorded his first save of the season, striking out two in the ninth inning. Jake Barrett started the eighth inning, but was removed after giving up a hit and recording no outs. Barrett has really struggled in August, giving up nine runs in only six innings. Burgos has been pitching better in August and should continue to see some save chances down the stretch for the Diamondbacks. Daniel Hudson also had an impressive outing on Saturday night. Hudson entered the game in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and no outs trying to protect a one run lead. Hudson got two pop outs and a line out to get out the jam allowing no runs. We will slide him back on the hierarchy, but we expect the back-end of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen to continue to be fluid until someone really steps up.
Updated hierarchy: *Burgos | Barrett | Hudson.
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres — Ryan Buchter was sent down to Triple-A on Saturday afternoon. Buchter got off to a great start this season but has faded a little bit recently and the Padres want him to get some rest. We will move recently called up Kevin Quackenbush to second in line for now, but Brandon Morrow might be another guy to watch. The former starter has made four scoreless appearances out of the Padres bullpen over the past couple weeks.
Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Hand | Quackenbush.
New York Mets – The Mets activated Jim Henderson on Saturday. Hansel Robles has struggles recently and Jerry Blevins is more of a lefty specialist so we expect Henderson to return to his seventh inning role.
Updated hierarchy: Familia | Reed | Henderson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
1. Daniel Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks – Enrique Burgos has gone in three straight and Jake Barrett has gone in three of the past four.
2. C.J. Edwards, Chicago Cubs — Aroldis Chapman is expected to get a second day off after his blown save on Friday.
3. Edubray Ramos, Philadelphia Phillies – Jeanmar Gomez and Hector Neris have both appeared in three games in a row
4. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – Fernando Rodney has pitched in two straight while Kyle Barraclough has pitched in three straight
5. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals – Mark Melancon has pitched in three straight games.