June 30, 2023
Detroit Tigers – The rough stretch continued Thursday for Alex Lange, who allowed a pair of runs on two singles, two walks and a sac fly against the Rangers. Control was an issue for Lange, who threw just 13 of his 23 pitches for strikes. In June, Lange has allowed 12 runs on 11 hits and 10 walks in just 9.1 innings. He had a nice run to start the season, so his full stat line doesn’t look so bad (4.13 ERA, 12 saves, 1.29 WHIP), but one has to wonder if others (like Jason Foley) might see more looks in the ninth soon.
Hierarchy remains: *Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Elvis Peguero/Bryse Wilson (MIL) – Devin Williams has pitched in two straight and four of five. Other late-inning options, including Joel Payamps and Hoby Milner, have gone back-to-back as well. Elvis Peguero has gone in two straight and three of four, but he threw only three pitches Thursday and nine pitches Wednesday, so he could theoretically go in three consecutive days for a save chance. Wilson, meanwhile, is more of a bulk guy but he has three saves this season and has the most rest of this group.
2. Joe Kelly (CWS) – Kendall Graveman has gone in two straight.
3. Dylan Floro (MIA) – A.J. Puk has also pitched in two straight.
Saturday:
1. Aroldis Chapman (KC) – A Friday outing would be three of four for Scott Barlow.
2. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – Same as above for Emmanuel Clase.
3. Jose Alvarado (PHI) – Ditto for Craig Kimbrel.