August 26, 2020
Tampa Bay Rays – The Tampa bullpen just can’t catch a break. Jalen Beeks was on his way to a two-inning save when he was forced to leave the game with one out in the ninth. Edgar Garcia came on to notch the final two outs and become the ninth Rays pitcher to earn a save. The early prognosis for Beeks wasn’t promising, and we won’t be surprised if he becomes the latest Tampa pitcher to hit the IL. As we said on Monday, this bullpen is probably worth staying away from except in the deepest of leagues.
Updated hierarchy: *Castillo | Curtiss | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers — Blake Treinen got the Dodgers out of a sixth-inning jam and then stayed on for the seventh, but he only made it through the first two outs before lefty Caleb Ferguson completed the frame and then finished the eighth, totaling three strikeouts in the process. Ferguson did face a lefty-heavy portion of the lineup in the eighth, but he’s been tough against both lefties and righties this year and his numbers (0.71 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 13.5 K/9) and usage last night suggest he is ahead of Brusdar Graterol in the Dodgers’ hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Treinen | Ferguson.
Miami Marlins — After both Brandon Kintzler and Brad Boxberger pitched in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader, Nick Vincent closed out the nightcap to earn his second save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Kintzler | Boxberger | Vincent.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. David Phelps – Josh Hader has gone in back-to-back games, though he only needed nine pitches last night.
2. Jairo Diaz – Daniel Bard earned his second straight save for the Rockies on Tuesday but needed 32 pitches to do so in his third outing in four days. Carlos Estevez has also pitched in two straight and three of four, which means Diaz may get a save chance today.
3. Richard Bleier – Brandon Kintzler, Brad Boxberger and Nick Vincent have all pitched in two straight and three of four. Bleier has as well, but he only tossed one pitch last night, which makes him the best-rested arm in the bunch.
Tomorrow
1. Ryan Brasier – Matt Barnes threw 22 pitches on Tuesday and may require rest on Thursday if he has another lengthy outing on Wednesday.
2. David Phelps – If Josh Hader does pitch a third straight day today, then he’ll be due for some rest on Thursday.