June 3, 2019
San Francisco Giants – Reyes Moronta has electric stuff, but we can’t continue to ignore the steady presence that Tony Watson has provided the Giants in the 8th inning all season long. He’s almost always the last man to bridge the gap to Will Smith and would likely be the choice for a save chance if Smith were unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Watson | Moronta.
Tampa Bay Rays – Jose Alvarado was placed on the family medical emergency list and will miss the next 3-7 days. Diego Castillo and Emilio Pagan will see the save chances in his absence.
Hierarchy remains: *Alvarado | Castillo | Pagan.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Blake Parker struggled to navigate the 8th inning, allowing two runs, but Taylor Rogers had no such trouble finishing the game off in the 9th. Parker has been fine, so we don’t see a shift in this committee just yet.
Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Rogers | Harper.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Josh Hader threw 34 pitches over a two-inning effort on Saturday, so he got Sunday off, leaving Alex Claudio and Corbin Burnes to split the 9th inning. Burnes retired both hitters he faced to earn his first save.
Hierarchy remains: Hader | Guerra | Jeffress.
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals had a surprisingly quick hook for Jordan Hicks on Sunday, pulling him after he allowed a hit and a walk to two of the first three hitters he faced. John Gant came on and retired the next two hitters for his third save. With Carlos Martinez’s success over the weekend and Gant’s stellar season, the Cardinals certainly have options if they want to try someone else in the role. We’ll continue to monitor this one.
Updated hierarchy: Hicks | Martinez | Gant.
Boston Red Sox – Matt Barnes had one of his worst outings of the season on Sunday, allowing the Yankees to pull back within three runs in the 8th inning, but in the 9th, Brandon continued his Workmanlike season, nabbing his 2nd save of the year. Look for him to continue to get the occasional save chance going forward.
Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Workman | Walden.
* = closer-by-committee
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Tomorrow
1. Sean Newcomb – The Braves are off today, but they might give Luke Jackson the day off tomorrow, too, as he threw 2.2 innings over the past two days.