August 17, 2020
Philadelphia Phillies – Adam Morgan pitched 1.1 scoreless innings ahead of Hector Neris in a four-run game on Sunday. With virtually every Philly reliever struggling, Morgan and his 5.40 ERA represents one of their more reliable options. Fortunately, help may be on the way, as David Robertson (remember him?) is close to returning.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Alvarez | Morgan.
Minnesota Twins – Taylor Rogers hasn’t been quite as good so far this season as he has been in years past, and has endured a rocky stretch since August 6, having allowed 4 runs across three outings prior to Sunday. So it was the lefty who got the 8th inning on Sunday, rather than the 9th; the latter job went to Sergio Romo, who struck out the side for his third save of the year. The veteran has allowed only 3 baserunners all season, with 12 Ks in 8 innings. The Twins are officially in committee mode.
Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | Romo | May.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Youngster Devin Williams, who now has 17 Ks and a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings this season, pitched the 7th inning on Sunday before giving way to veteran David Phelps, who threw a scoreless 8th inning to also lower his ERA to 1.04 on the year (only 13 Ks for Phelps but hey we’re not complaining). Josh Hader finished the rest. With Corey Knebel struggling, that’s how we’ll line up this bullpen for the time being.
Updated hierarchy: Hader | Phelps | Williams.
Colorado Rockies – After a rocky outing from Jairo Diaz on Sunday — Carlos Estevez bailed him out for his first save of the year — Bud Black said he would no longer have a designated 9th inning reliever. We were already treating this as a committee, but now that we’ve gotten confirmation, look for Diaz, Estevez, and Daniel Bard to share opportunities.
Hierarchy remains: *Diaz | Estevez | Bard.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – Aroldis Chapman will be activated from the IL today. Whether he’ll close immediately is uncertain, but the Yankees will surely want to get him into the role sooner rather than later, so we’ll slot him in there immediately with the understanding that he might get a 1-2 game tune-up.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.
Tampa Bay Rays – Perhaps the most unlikely save of the season went to Tampa’s Aaron Slegers, who closed out the 2nd game of Tampa’s pseudo-double header after the game went to “extra” innings, AKA the 8th. Even after his scoreless outing, Slegers has a career 6.43 ERA across 35 big league innings, so if you had him your lineup yesterday, send us a screenshot and win a year of Closer Monkey Premium.
Hierarchy remains: *Anderson | Alvarado | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trevor May – Taylor Rogers and Sergio Romo have both gone back to back.
2. Blake Taylor – Ryan Pressly has gone back to back.
3. Hector Rondon – Archie Bradley has gone back to back.
Tomorrow
1. Jonathan Hernandez/Joely Rodriguez – If Rafael Montero or Jonathan Hernandez go tonight, it’ll be back to back.
2. Edwin Diaz – If Seth Lugo goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
3. Gregory Soto – If Joe Jimenez goes tonight, it’ll be back to back.