August 14, 2020
Chicago Cubs – The Cubbies are 13-3, so it would appear many more save chances are coming, but who will be getting the bulk of them? Rowan Wick converted his third save Thursday and appears to be ripping the role out of the hands of Craig Kimbrel, who hasn’t pitched since Aug. 6 and still sports a 23.63 ERA. Manager David Ross this week said fixing Kimbrel is going to “take a minute,” but that he is “moving in the right direction.” This suggests that Kimbrel is broken, and a broken pitcher typically is not a winning team’s closer.
Updated hierarchy: *Wick | Jeffress | Kimbrel.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates — Keone Kela returned Thursday and was thrust into the ninth inning with a four-run lead. He wasted no time turning that into a three-run lead after allowing a homer to his first batter of the season. He followed that by giving up a base hit, but then retired the next three hitters in order to finish the game. Kela threw 28 pitches, so he might not be available Friday as he is eased back into game action.
Hierarchy remains: *Kela | Rodriguez | Stratton.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals – Sean Doolittle was placed on the injured list with right knee fatigue. Daniel Hudson has grabbed the role as the team’s top save-getter these days, so the Nationals aren’t in a bind or anything. Plus, they’re getting additional reinforcements, as the team’s top add in the offseason, Will Harris, has been activated off the IL and should immediately compete for late-inning holds.
Updated hierarchy: Hudson | Rainey | Harris.
New York Mets – Quietly, Edwin Diaz hasn’t allowed a run since July 30, though he has pitched mostly in low-leverage spots lately. Still, Diaz is sporting a 2.16 ERA with 17 Ks in just 8.1 IP. Seth Lugo (2.00 ERA, 3 SV, 0.56 WHIP) is also pitching well, but Diaz might find his way back to the ninth inning after all.
Hierarchy remains: Lugo | Diaz | Betances.
Tampa Bay Rays – In his first appearance this season, Anthony Banda delivered three innings of relief to close Thursday’s win over the Red Sox to earn a surprising save. He will not regularly factor into the team’s ninth-inning plans, but with the way the Rays utilize their bullpen, who really knows? (He won’t. Don’t pick him up. Also, don’t pick up Andrew Kittredge. He’s on the 45-day IL.)
Updated hierarchy: *Anderson | Alvarado | Castillo.
Texas Rangers — We removed Edinson Volquez from our hierarchy on Wednesday and unfortunately for Volquez he’s since landed on the 45-day IL.
Hierarchy remains: Montero | Hernandez | Rodriguez.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Richard Rodriguez – Keone Kela threw 28 pitches in his first game back and might not be available today.
Saturday:
1. Andrew Miller/John Gant – The Cardinals are set to play three doubleheaders from Saturday through Wednesday, so Giovanny Gallegos (or whoever is closing games for a team that hasn’t played in 17 days) likely won’t be able to save all of them.
2. Jeremy Jeffress/Craig Kimbrel – A Friday appearance would be three in a row for Rowan Wick.
3. Mychal Givens – A Friday outing would be three of four for Cole Sulser.
4. Jose Alvarado – Same as above for Nick Anderson.