August 4, 2019
New York Mets — Remember when Edwin Diaz’s ERA was 1.64 on May 28th? It’s probably hard for Mets’ fans and fantasy owners to remember that, especially after Diaz gave up two more runs last night to raise his ERA to 5.44. Diaz has now given up runs in four straight appearances. Meanwhile, Seth Lugo gave up zero runs in the entire month of July and kept that going into August with a scoreless inning yesterday. When manager Mickey Callaway was asked about Diaz after the game, he was non-committal and said nobody was locked into a role. We will leave everything as-is for now, but Diaz is definitely on the hot seat.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Wilson.
Philadelphia Phillies — Nick Pivetta made good on yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch prediction by getting the final six outs of a Phillies’ one-run victory to record his first career save. Apparently, that was the plan Friday night as well until they had to pinch-hit for Pivetta in the 8th. With the Phillies blowing the lead on Friday and Pivetta converting last night, he has likely earned the role of back-up closer when Hector Neris is unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Pivetta | Nicasio.
Baltimore Orioles — Mychal Givens was needed for a key out in the 7th inning of a tie game. After the Orioles took the lead, Givens came back out for a scoreless 8th but that left Paul Fry for the 9th. Fry responded with a scoreless inning for his third save of the year. The Orioles continue to use Givens for the highest leverage situations, even if they come before the 9th, and that should allow Fry and Shawn Armstrong to continue to pick up the occasional save.
Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Armstrong | Fry.
Washington Nationals — Roenis Elias tweaked his hamstring on Friday and is still being evaluated. If Elias is forced to go on the IL, everybody’s favorite terrible closer Fernando Rodney would move back on to the hierarchy.
Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Strickland | Elias.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Amir Garrett – Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen have both pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Adam Ottavino – Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton have also both pitched in two straight and three of four.
Monday
1. Shawn Armstrong – if Michal Givens pitches today, it will be three straight
2. Jesse Chavez/Brad Martin – Same for Jose LeClerc (and Jesse Chavez).
3. Diego Castillo – If Emilio Pagan pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four.