July 5, 2017
Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton will come off the DL today and is expected to reclaim the closer’s role almost immediately. Ideally the Orioles will get to deploy him in a lower-leverage situation off the bat, but if they need him in a tight game right away Britton says he is ready.
Updated hierarchy: Britton | Brach | O’Day.
Colorado Rockies — Adam Ottavino had an abysmal June and his struggles have continued into July. On Tuesday, he allowed two homers in the eighth inning of a blowout loss. Ottavino has given up 12 runs over his last six appearances and seen his ERA shoot up to 6.00. Hard to think at this point that if Greg Holland needed a day off it’d be Ottavino and not Jake McGee getting the call for the ninth inning. McGee had struggled a bit at the end of June but has since lowered his ERA to 2.83 with four straight scoreless appearances.
Updated hierarchy: Holland | McGee | Ottavino.
Tampa Bay Rays — Alex Colome nearly blew a three-run lead against the Cubs yesterday, but he was able to convert the save. It was Colome’s fifth straight appearance in which he allowed an earned run; he’s given up 10 earned runs in that five-game stretch. Kevin Cash didn’t suggest a change was imminent and Colome surprisingly only has one blown save in this recent stretch that has ballooned his ERA to 4.10. While Colome’s job doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy, former closer Brad Boxberger is looming and Colome’s leash has to be a little bit shorter.
Hierarchy remains: Colome | Boxberger | Hunter.
Oakland A’s – For the ninth game in a row, the Oakland bullpen allowed a run. This time it was Santiago Casilla allowing the tying run to score as part of his fourth blown save of the year. Casilla’s ERA is at 4.02 and hovered around that mark for much of June into July. Sean Doolittle had allowed an earned run in each of his last two appearances prior to a clean eighth inning Tuesday, but if Casilla’s struggles continue he may get a chance to reclaim the closer’s role.
Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Doolittle | Madson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tommy Kahnle/Anthony Swarzak — Today is the last day of paternity leave for David Robertson.
2. Andrew Miller — Cody Allen has pitched in three of the last four games.
3. Tyler Duffey/Taylor Rogers — Brandon Kintzler has pitched in two straight and three of four. Taylor Rogers needed 27 pitches yesterday, so Tyler Duffey may be called upon first if the Twins need a save.
4. Sean Doolittle — Santiago Casilla has pitched in three of the last four games, so Doolittle may get a turn.
5. Brad Boxberger — Alex Colome had a 38-pitch outing on Tuesday, so he may get today off.
Thursday:
1. Brad Brach — If Zach Britton does return today and has a tough outing, the Orioles may turn to a well-rested Brach on Thursday.
2. Andrew Miller — If Allen does get the ball again today, don’t expect him to pitch on Thursday.
3. David Phelps/Kyle Barraclough — It will be three of four for A.J. Ramos is he pitches on Wednesday. Same goes for David Phelps, so Kyle Barraclough may be an option if that’s the case.
4. Sean Doolittle — If Casilla pitches on Wednesday it will be two straight and four of the last five.
5. Brad Boxberger/Tommy Hunter — If Colome does get the ball today and rack up some more pitches, Brad Boxberger or Tommy Hunter will likely be in line for Thursday’s save chance.