August 14, 2018
Texas Rangers – Jose LeClerc picked up his second save of the season on Monday, and for the second time, it was Cory Gearrin pitching the 8th ahead of him. With Chris Martin struggling from his return to the DL and Alex Claudio hardly ever pitching when the Rangers are ahead, look for Gearrin to be a sold source of holds down the stretch. Lefty Jeff Springs, who has started career with 7 solid innings of work, might soon become the lefthanded preference over Claudio.
Updated hierarchy: LeClerc | Gearrin | Claudio.
Washington Nationals – Ryan Madson should avoid the DL, so we’ll put the righty back on the hierarchy in what is now a very unsettled bullpen. Koda Glover’s first outing as the would-be closer — he got he ball in the 9th inning of a tie game — ended after 1 batter, as he gave up a walk-off home run to Paul Dejong. Justin Miller and Sammy Solis also gave up runs, while Greg Holland allowed several hard-hit balls in his 0.2 innings of work. But at least the latter didn’t allow any runs? So I guess he gets to stay in the top three for now. At present, this bullpen is among the most wide-open in baseball.
Updated hierarchy: *Glover | Madson | Holland.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – Blake Parker pitched the 9th inning yet again, this time with his team up by four runs. Over the last month and a half, the only time anyone other than Parker has gotten a save chance was when the righty needed a night off. We’re removing his asterisk in a probably-overdue move.
Updated hierarchy: Parker | Anderson | Bedrosian.
St. Louis Cardinals – Bud Norris blew the save chance, allowing two runs and only recording one out before being replaced by Dakota Hudson in a tie game. While there is no indication his job is in trouble yet, another bad outing or two in short order and he could certainly see the hook. Hudson and Jordan Hicks are the two most likely candidates to replace Norris in the event he is demoted.
Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hicks | Hudson.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Scott Alexander was summoned for the 9th inning last night, but it might have been for the last time. In a one-run game, Alexander was singled to death, allowing four hits and four runs before being replaced by Pedro Baez. With Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling moving to the bullpen, either guy could replace Alexander. Kenley Jansen is already throwing, and saying that he’ll be back sooner than people are expecting, but until then, this bullpen is deeply unsettled.
Hierarchy remains: *Alexander | Maeda | Stripling.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Justin Anderson – Blake Parker has pitched back to back and three of four.
2. Tony Watson – Will Smith has pitched in back to back and three of four.
3. Jordan Hicks – Bud Norris has pitched back to back games and might get the night off after his blown save last night. If Norris does indeed go, he’ll definitely be off tomorrow.
Tomorrow
1. Kevin McCarthy – If Wily Peralta goes today, it’ll be three straight.
2. Jeurys Familia/Fernando Rodney – If Blake Treinen goes today, it’ll be three straight. Familia has been struggling lately, making Rodney is a darkhorse for this vulture chance as well.