August 28, 2018
Chicago Cubs – After Steve Cishek and Carl Edwards Jr. handled the 7th and 8th, things got interesting for Pedro Strop in the 9th. Strop allowed two base runners while recording only one out, after which he was promptly removed. Justin Wilson gave up a hit to the only batter he faced, but then Jesse Chavez managed to finish off the game to pick up the save. There has been no indication of injury and Joe Maddon is the type of manager who would pull his closer in favor of a better matchup, so there is probably nothing to see here, but we’ll monitor to make sure the quick hook isn’t indicative of something more. Edwards and Cishek, for their parts, seem to be preferred options to Brandon Kintzler right now, who has given up 7 ERs in his last 3.2 IP.
Updated hierarchy: Strop | Edwards | Cishek.
Washington Nationals – Kelvin Herrera was placed on the DL yesterday, and the Nationals had several options to replace him. To fill his roster spot, they activating another guy who served as their closer for a spell, Ryan Madson. Koda Glover had also recently served as stopper, while Greg Holland is finally finding his stuff (9 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 11 Ks with Washington). So who did the save chance go to last night? Why, obviously that would be Justin Miller, who closed out the Phillies with a clean inning. Despite the surprise usage, Miller has been perfectly decent this season, pitching to a tune of a 3.71 ERA and a 10.5 K/IP ratio, and when it comes closing, success begets further opportunity. Look for Miller to, at worst, share chances with Madson going forward until the Nats get their top arms back from the DL.
Updated hierarchy: *Miller | Madson | Glover.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – Just when Hunter Strickland seemed like the odd man out in this bullpen, the righty got the call with 2 outs in the 9th last night, walking a batter before finishing off the game to notch the save. Will Smith apparently needed a second night off after pitching three straight over the weekend, so Tony Watson started the inning and recorded two outs around a walk, then got the hook. Strickland was doing a fine job of closing before the injury and if the Giants give him another chance or two, there’s the possibility that he could return to sharing chances with Smith down the stretch.
Hierarchy remains: Smith | Melancon | Strickland.
Los Angeles Angels – Several Angels relievers, including set-up man Justin Anderson, combined to cough up an 8th inning lead, but the team would grab the lead again in the bottom half of the inning, and in the 9th, Noe Ramirez was sent to the mound to record the final three outs. Ramirez pitched a clean inning for his first save of the year. Blake Parker had pitched in two straight, though his pitch count wasn’t especially high, so it was a little surprising not to see him used here. But we’ll assume everything is fine unless we hear otherwise.
Hierarchy remains: Parker | Anderson | Bedrosian.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today/tomorrow
1. Koda Glover – Justin Miller has gone in two straight, and it’s unclear whether the Nats would use him in a third straight. Ryan Madson just came off the DL and the Nats might not want to go back-to-back yet either.