September 21, 2016
Philadelphia Phillies — It’s been a while since we’ve updated you on the Phillies’ bullpen, but the final days of the season have become more interesting. Jeanmar Gomez entered Tuesday’s ninth inning with a 7-3 lead and retired two of the first three batters. However, an infield single, walk, wild pitch and double made it 7-6 and paved the way for Michael Mariot to earn his first career save. After the game, manager Pete Mackanin hinted that he is considering a change in closer. With the season long out of reach and Gomez struggling mightily of late, don’t be surprised if “potential closer” Hector Neris gets the first crack at saves soon, with Edubray Ramos also likely to get at least one chance before the season ends.
Hierarchy remains: Gomez | Neris | Ramos.
San Francisco Giants – Well well well, look who finally got a chance to get a save. For the first time since July 27, 2015, Sergio Romo closed out a game, pitching a clean ninth to secure a 2-0 win over the Dodgers. It was a stellar night for a struggling bullpen, as lefties Steven Okert and Will Smith bridged the gap to Romo beautifully. Smith has thrown 14 scoreless innings and has a hold in six straight appearances. Smith should at least get the eighth inning today against the Dodgers, a team that is hitting .210 against lefties. As for Romo, Bochy refused to define his role, but we’ll move him to the top of a lackluster committee. He has closing experience and actually got a save, which the Giants haven’t earned since Sept. 11. We’ll see how long he stays there.
Updated hierarchy: *Romo | Law | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – With A.J. Ramos requiring a night off, it was David Phelps, and not Fernando Rodney, who faced the heart of the Washington order in the ninth inning. Phelps did the job, preserving a 1-0 lead and moving past Rodney in the Miami hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Phelps | Rodney.
Chicago Cubs — The Cubs plan to activate Pedro Strop on Friday and he is expected to pitch that afternoon against the Cardinals. He is not expected, however, to see a ton of time on the mound prior to the postseason, as the Cubs anticipate Strop needing just four more innings of work upon his return.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Rondon | Edwards.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies – If he doesn’t get the job outright on Wednesday, he may still vulture a chance from Jeanmar Gomez, who threw 22 pitches in an awful outing on Tuesday.
2. Mauricio Cabrera, Atlanta Braves – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Luke Gregerson, Houston Astros – Ken Giles has also pitched in two straight and three of four, including a 26-pitch outing on Tuesday.