Brandon Workman, the first true closer for the 2019 Red Sox?

August 5, 2019

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles hadn’t recorded two saves in two days since April 1-2, but they managed the feat Saturday and Sunday, with the latter save going to Shawn Armstrong. Armstrong, Mychal Givens, and Paul Fry will likely continue to share save chances here on the occasional nights when the Orioles have one. None of them are worth owning in shallow leagues; even in standard-sized leagues they’re probably only for those who are truly desperate.

Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Armstrong | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – David Hernandez picked up a 10th inning save for the Reds on Sunday. Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen were held out, while Amir Garrett had already pitched (and blown the team’s first chance at a save) in the 9th.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.

Minnesota Twins – Sam Dyson’s stint with the Twins can’t have gotten off to a worse start, as the righty allowed 3 ERs in each of his first two appearances, then was placed on the IL yesterday with right biceps tendinitis. Tyler Duffey got the 7th inning in Dyson’s absence on Sunday; we’ll slot him in at second in line for now.

Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | Romo | Duffey.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs – Tyler Chatwood pitched the final three innings of what turned into a 5-run Cubs victory on Sunday, earning his second save of the year. He does not factor into Chicago’s usual late-inning plans. 

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Kintzler | Cishek. 

Washington Nationals – Roenis Elias does indeed need an IL stint, so as promised: welcome back to the hierarchy, Mr. Rodney.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Strickland | Rodney.

Boston Red Sox – Don’t expect Nate Eovaldi to ascend to the closer role any time soon, as Alex Cora on Sunday confirmed what we’d already suspected based on usage: Brandon Workman is his top choice for the 9th inning. We’ll remove Workman’s asterisk for now; look for Eovaldi to work in the 7th and 8th.

Updated hierarchy: Workman | Eovaldi | Barnes.

New York Yankees – Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton both got Sunday night off, allowing Chad Green to pick up his second save of the year. Green has been great since his brief stint in the minors earlier this year, but he’s unlikely to get many more save chances in this stacked bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Yoan Lopez – Archie Bradley pitched two innings on Sunday.
2. Chris Martin – Shane Greene has pitched two straight, with bad outings in both appearances. He could get today off.

Today/tomorrow
1. Seth Lugo/Jose Quijada – The Mets and Marlins play a doubleheader today, which could mean backup relievers get save chances, or excess usage today could determine who is available tomorrow.