August 24, 2019
Baltimore Orioles — Shawn Armstrong has landed on the IL with a forearm strain, but he’s expected to return in early September. This could be a chance to see how rookie Hunter Harvey handles high-leverage work, assuming the Orioles get any.
Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Fry | Harvey.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — Up seven in the seventh, Tampa turned to recent callup Aaron Slegers. The 6’10” Hoosier pitched well enough to finish the game, spreading out three hits and a run to earn his first career save. If you were desperate enough to start him yesterday on your team, send proof to [email protected] and we’ll give you free Premium for a year!
Hierarchy remains: *Pagan | Alvarado | Anderson.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — The Phils have been searching for a bridge to get the ball to Hector Neris, running through every relief pitcher on their roster to find a reliable setup option. Maybe they’ve been looking in the wrong place. Utility man Sean Rodriguez (6.75 K/9; 0.00 ERA; lineal champion, Gatorade cooler division) got Curtis Granderson to line out on a wicked slider. If the Phillies get tired of their roller-coaster relief corps, they’ve got a 34-year-old with only a couple innings on his arm waiting in the wings.
Hierarchy remains: Neris | Morin | Alvarez.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Will Harris — Roberto Osuna has pitched in back to back games and five of the last six.
2. Shane Greene — Mark Melancon has thrown back to back days, and Greene is the best rested option in the Atlanta bullpen.
3. Michael Lorenzen — Raisel Iglesias has pitched in three of the last four and blew a save last night.
4. Edwin Diaz — Seth Lugo threw 35 pitches last night and has pitched in two of three.
Sunday:
1. Nick Wittgren — Today would be back to back and three of four for Brad Hand.
2. Buck Farmer/Nick Ramirez — Same for Joe Jimenez.
3. Anthony Bass — Today would be back to back and four of five for Matt Magill.