August 15, 2020
San Diego Padres – Kirby Yates exited after just six pitches Friday night and will have an MRI on his elbow. Something has been off with Yates all season long, and whether this injury was a symptom or a cause remains to be seen, but look for Drew Pomeranz to close in his absence.
Updated hierarchy: Pomeranz | Pagan | Stammen.
San Francisco Giants — If you own Trevor Gott, we don’t have to tell you how frustrating Friday night was. Asked to pitch the ninth with a five-run lead, Gott gave it all back on a solo shot and a grand slam. The only consolation: blowing that big a lead doesn’t count as a blown save.
Hierarchy remains: Gott | Rogers | Watson.
Philadelphia Phillies — Everyone other than Jose Alvarez and Blake Parker has been abominable in the Philly pen this season, so it had to be exciting to see Adam Morgan and Tommy Hunter join those two guys with scoreless relief outings on Friday night. Unfortunately, Hector Neris couldn’t follow suit, blowing his second straight save and making his position in the ninth a little less secure. Neris nabbed the W in the bottom of the inning, though, proving again that the win is the only stat sillier than the save.
Hierarchy remains: Neris | Alvarez | Parker.
Milwaukee Brewers — Devin Williams (17.6 K/9, 1.17 ERA) and his killer changeup is seeing an expanded role in the late innings for Milwaukee. On Friday, he sprinkled four outs around a “double” that Ben Gamel decided to volleyball set instead of catch. Corey Knebel hasn’t been great, so Williams could be Josh Hader’s chief deputy soon — if he isn’t already.
Updated hierarchy: Hader | Knebel | Williams.
Chicago Cubs — Don’t look now, but on Friday night, Craig Kimbrel broke a streak of seven straight appearances allowing a run, and he did it with more swinging strikes (six) than he had induced all season long.
Hierarchy remains: *Wick | Jeffress | Kimbrel.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Corey Knebel/Devin Williams — Josh Hader threw 35 pitches in a four-out save.
Sunday:
1. Jose Alvarez — The top five pitchers in the Philadelphia bullpen have all been used pretty heavily. If Neris goes again Saturday, expect a day off on Sunday.
2. Matt Barnes — Brandon Workman hadn’t pitched for a week, so he came on in a blowout on Friday and looked rusty. He won’t pitch in three straight.
3. Joakim Soria/Jake Diekman — Liam Hendriks and Soria have each pitched in two of three.
4. Andrew Miller/John Gant — St. Louis and Giovanny Gallegos are well-rested, but about to play a bunch of doubleheaders.