August 20. 2022
St. Louis Cardinals — Ryan Helsley will be on the Paternity list for a couple of days, and while last night’s game was not a save situation we saw Giovanny Gallegos protect a 4 run lead. We expect Gallegos to see any save chances that come along, with Genesis Cabrera in the mix as well.
Updated hierarchy: Gallegos | Cabrera | Hicks.
San Diego Padres – Things continue to get worse for Josh Hader. Brought into a tie game in the 9th, he gave up a walk, then threw the ball away on a grounder, which allowed the runner to score from first. Then to add injury to injury, he gave up a 2 run shot to Alex Call before getting pulled. Hader ended up with the loss, and has now given up more of his own runs (6) than he has recorded outs in his last 3 appearances (4). People are pointing to a change in arm slot as a potential source of his problems, and he doesn’t have much time to fix it as the Padres are now just one game ahead of the Brewers for the final wild car spot in the NL. We are watching for an announcement that Hader will get lower leverage work, and will alert if one gets made, but it may be time to get ahead of the game and grab Luis Garcia.
Hierarchy remains: Hader | Garcia | Martinez.
Los Angeles Dodgers — In a 1 run game the Dodgers went with Evan Phillips instead of heavily worked closer Craig Ki’mbrel. Phillips got the job done for his second save of the year. Kimbrel had pitched in 4 of the last 6 and after the game manager Dave Roberts said that the reason he didn’t go to Kimbrel was “usage.” It is worth nothing that Kimbrel has been a little bit shaky as of late, giving up runs in 4 of his last 6 appearances, but with only 1 blown save during that stretch, and the Dodgers being safely in the lead of the NL West, his job is safe for the moment.
Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Phillips | Vesia.
Chicago Cubs – Brandon Hughes got a second save chance in a row last night, and converted for his 2nd save of the year. Hughes was facing the top of the Brewers lineup which includes 2 lefties, so while this certainly has the feel of a matchup based save, Hughes has clearly worked his way into the 9th inning conversation. Wick has been quite good as well, and if he is splitting time with Hughes we expect him to see the bulk of the save chances, but this is a 2 headed committee now.
Hierarchy remains: *Wick | Hughes | Uelmen
* = closer-by-committee
Vulture Save Watch:
- Raisel Iglesias (ATL) — Kenley Jansen has pitched back to back, throwing 28 pitches.
- Hunter Harvey (WAS) — Both Finnegan and Edwards have pitched in back to back and 4 of 5.
- Scott Effross (NYY) — Aroldis Chapman his pitched in 2 of 3, and thrown 38 pitches in that span.
- Adam Ottavino (NYM) — The Mets play a double header…
- David Robertson (PHI) — …against the Phillies.
For Sunday:
- Anthony Bass(TOR) — Today would be 3 in a row for Jordan Romano.
- Trevor Stephan (CLE) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Emmanuel Clase.
- Joel Kuhnel (CIN) — Same for Alexis Diaz.