June 28, 2019
Miami Marlins — Pitching for the first time in six days, Sergio Romo had to be removed from Thursday’s game with a knee bruise after colliding with Trea Turner. He limped off the field and was in obvious pain, but the Marlins think he’ll be fine. Still, this situation is worth monitoring.
Hierarchy remains: Romo | Guerrero | Anderson.
Colorado Rockies — It was a rough night for Wade Davis, who entered a tie game in the ninth and allowed four runs on an RBI single and a three-run blast. Davis now has a 6.00 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP. Yuck! Stash Scott Oberg if you haven’t already. For what it’s worth, manager Bud Black pointed to Davis’s resume and suggested that he’ll be fine.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Oberg | Shaw.
Chicago Cubs — Craig Kimbrel was activated and thrust right into duty in the ninth on Thursday. He showed signs of rust, allowing a hit and a walk, but did record a strikeout. He got Freddie Freeman, the go-ahead run, to ground out with two men on to end it. Steve Cishek was used in the sixth inning, followed by Brandon Kintzler and Pedro Strop. We’ll keep an eye on Cishek and Kintzler, who are basically splitting the second-in-line job.
Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Strop | Cishek.
New York Mets — Edwin Diaz allowed five runs on two home runs in a rough blown save Thursday. He has allowed nine runs in his last five appearances, ballooning his ERA to an unpleasant 4.94 and sending the Sports Pope into a frenzy. Diaz has been a bit unlucky, as his swinging-strike rate is about as good as it was last year (18.2%), and his xFIP (2.65) and SIERA (2.36) look strong. With these last two homers allowed, though, he’s already matched last year’s total (five).
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Gsellman.
Oakland A’s — Blake Treinen threw 20 pitches from flat ground on Thursday, a step in the right direction. He’ll have an off day Friday with a bullpen session planned in the near future.
Hierarchy remains: Hendriks | Trivino | Soria.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. JD Hammer — Hector Neris has pitched in three straight, including a stressful outing Thursday, when he blew a save chance.
2. Seth Lugo — Edwin Diaz has gone in two straight and threw 34 pitches in a blown save Thursday.
3. Pedro Baez/Julio Urias — Kenley Jansen has pitched in two of three, three of five and four of six. He has thrown 45 pitches over his last two outings. Pedro Baez has had the same workload (two of three, etc.), but the pitch count is lower, at 23 pitches, over the last two appearances.
4. Scott Oberg — Manager Bud Black confirmed that Wade Davis, who has pitched in three of four, including Thursday’s disastrous outing, will not be available Friday.
5. Tayron Guerrero — Sergio Romo probably gets today off.
Saturday:
1. Blake Parker/Trevor May — Taylor Rogers, Parker, and May have each pitched in two straight entering Friday. After an 18-inning game Thursday, they might all be available for Friday’s game, but anyone who pitches will certainly be held out of action on Saturday.
2. Jose Alvarado — The Rays used an opener to begin what became an 18-inning game Tuesday, so there are a bunch of tired arms in the bullpen. Emilio Pagan is among them, having gone in two straight entering Friday. Should he pitch in a third straight day, could Tampa Bay activate Jose Alvarado for use on Saturday? He’s been back in the States for a while and threw bullpen sessions two straight days earlier this week.
3. Wander Suero/Tanner Rainey — Entering Friday, Sean Doolittle has gone in two straight, throwing just 21 pitches. Wander Suero has also pitched in two straight, so if he and Doolittle can’t go on Saturday, the save chance could fall to Tanner Rainey, or — *fingers crossed* — 42-year-old Fernando Rodney!