August 24, 2020
Tampa Bay Rays – Nick Anderson, arguably the best arm in the Rays bullpen, was placed on the IL with forearm inflammation, joining Chaz Roe, Jose Alvarado, Oliver Drake, and Andrew Kittredge. That leaves some combination of Diego Castillo, Jalen Beeks, Aaron Loup, John Curtiss (who got his first save on Sunday) and whoever else they might dredge up. With Kevin Cash already treating the late innings basically like this, Rays relievers are probably worth staying away from except in deep leagues.
Updated hierarchy: *Castillo | Curtiss | Loup.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles – Lefty Tanner Scott came into the game after Mychal Givens’ pitch count started to elevate and proceeded to give up a 2-run home run and a single. A quick mound visit later and Scott settled(?) down to induce a game-ending groundout for his first career save. Cole Sulser had gotten the day off after a long outing Saturday.
Updated hierarchy: Sulser | Givens | Castro.
Detroit Tigers – Joe Jimenez turned in a second consecutive brutal outing on Sunday, allowing 3 earned runs while only recording one out. With Jimenez’s ERA having jumped from an already-not-great 5.63 all the way up to 12.46 in the past four days, the Tigers may look to go in a different direction. Buck Farmer, Gregory Soto, and Jose Cisnero are all names to watch; Farmer has generally been thought of as the set-up guy here, but Soto has a much better strikeout rate and Cisnero got the save Sunday after Jimenez’s blow up (Farmer and Soto had both already pitched). We’ll keep an eye on this one to see if the Tigers make a change.
Hierarchy remains: Jimenez | Farmer | Soto.
Chicago Cubs – An awkward two-thirds of an 8th inning from Craig Kimbrel (two strikeouts followed by two walks) left four outs for Jeremy Jeffress, who had a similarly unconvincing outing — a lineout to get out of the 8th, then two quick outs in the 8th followed by a hit and two walks — but managed to keep runs off the board by inducing a game-ending groundout. Rowan Wick had thrown 18 pitches on Saturday and probably could’ve been used here, but it worked out for the Cubs in the end.
Hierarchy remains: *Wick | Jeffress | Kimbrel.
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – With Kirby Yates and Drew Pomeranz sidelined, it seems that Emilio Pagan will be The Guy for the Padres for the time being; he got the 9th for the third straight time on Sunday, converting for his second save. We’re kicking his short-lived asterisk.
Updated hierarchy: Pagan | Stammen | Quantrill.
San Francisco Giants – We’ve been trying to read the Bay Area tea leaves since Trevor Gott’s recent struggles cost him the closer job, and with the Giants pulling a six-game win streak out of thin air, you’d think that we’d have a little more insight. Those victories, however, have yielded 0 save chances; here’s who has pitched each 9th, along with the situation and outcome:
Tuesday- Shaun Anderson; up by 7, one run allowed.
Wednesday- Tony Watson; up by 5, scoreless inning.
Thursday- Jarlin Garcia; up by 5, scoreless inning.
Friday- Tyler Rogers; up by 4, scoreless inning.
Saturday- Tyler Anderson finishing a CG; up by 4, scoreless inning.
Sunday- Garcia; up by 5, scoreless inning.
We’d say that Watson is still the best positioned to take over, but he got the 7th inning on Sunday and the 8th on Friday. Rogers, meanwhile, has gotten his share of holds, but he’s a submariner with a 6.60 ERA. So… maybe Jarlin the (former) Marlin? Or maybe by the time the Giants actually get a save opp, Gott will have worked himself out?
Updated hierarchy: *Garcia | Watson | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Felix Pena – Ty Buttrey has gone back to back, throwing 2.2 innings.
2. Buck Farmer – Joe Jimenez got shelled Sunday and might get the day off.
Tomorrow
1. Scott Barlow – If Trevor Rosenthal goes today, it’ll be two straight.