August 11, 2020
Tampa Bay Rays – Last night, holding on to a 1-run lead in the 9th inning, the Rays did what most any team would do — turn to a reliever whose last two outings saw him pitch in the 4th and 5th innings. But as with most Rays-related unorthodoxies, it worked out perfectly well, as Andrew Kittredge nailed down his first career save. Nick Anderson is still the best arm to own here, but look for the Rays to spread their opportunities around widely, with Kittredge, Jose Alvarado, Chaz Roe, and Diego Castillo all potentially getting looks when matchups are right.
Updated hierarchy: *Anderson | Alvarado | Kittredge.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Buck Farmer was placed on the IL yesterday, so look for Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero to bridge the gap to Joe Jimenez, MLB’s current saves leader.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Soto | Cisnero.
San Diego Padres – Kirby Yates has struggled mightily this season, but that wasn’t the reason that he was held out of the 9th in favor of Drew Pomeranz yesterday. Rather, it was that he was experiencing soreness before the game and held out as a precaution. Pomeranz, who picked up the save, remains a strong middle relief option and good speculative add.
Hierarchy remains: Yates | Pomeranz | Pagan.
Seattle Mariners – CJ Edwards was placed on the IL and will miss a few weeks with a flexor mass strain in his forearm, giving the Mariners bullpen an even more mysterious air of uncertainty. Seems like a good time to reintroduce veteran Matt Magill to the hierarchy, as the righty hasn’t allowed a run all year and yet inexplicably still hasn’t gotten a save chance.
Updated hierarchy: *Williams | Magill | Altavilla.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – After Hansel Robles was demoted, we assumed Ty Buttrey would get the bulk of the late inning work. And with that proving true — Buttrey got his second save last night — we’ll remove his asterisk. Keynan Middleton also joins the hierarchy after another solid outing.
Updated hierarchy: Buttrey | Pena | Middleton.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Archie Bradley logged his fourth save of the year on Sunday, and while he’s been fine, we’re shuffling his bridge relievers to include Junior Guerra, who turned in a strong 8th last night and has yet to allow a run this season in 7 appearances.
Updated hierarchy: Bradley | Rondon | Guerra.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Drew Pomeranz – Kirby Yates is hurting a bit (see above).
2. Felix Pena – Ty Buttrey has gone back to back.
Tomorrow
1. Blake Taylor/Andre Scrubb – If Ryan Pressly goes tonight, it’ll be two straight.
2. Hector Rondon – If Archie Bradley goes tonight, it’ll be two straight and three of four.