July 3, 2021
Kansas City Royals — The Royals snapped a nine-game losing streak last night, and they used Greg Holland in the eighth and Scott Barlow in the ninth. With so many recent losses, there haven’t been many chances to shake out the committee pecking order. Holland was getting (and blowing) the bulk of the save chances a few weeks back, but last night’s usage suggests that Barlow — who has the best numbers of the top options — may have the inside track the next time the Royals win a game.
Updated hierarchy: *Barlow | Holland | Staumont.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds — With a one-run lead, the Reds gave the ball to Amir Garrett in the seventh. He got the first two outs, but with the heart of the order coming up, in came Brad Brach. He got out of the seventh, then pitched a perfect eighth, leaving the ninth for Heath Hembree, who converted for his second save. The Reds are solidly in a committee, but Brach continues to see the highest-leverage work, even if that’s in the seventh or eighth innings.
Hierarchy remains: *Brach | Garrett | Hembree.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles placed Hunter Harvey on the IL yesterday with a lat strain. Harvey, Baltimore’s presumptive closer coming into the season, has struggled through various injuries, and this most recent hit will keep him out another month. Meanwhile, Paul Fry took the loss last night and has seen his ERA balloon from 1.78 to 3.77 in the past few weeks. Cole Sulser has picked up a couple saves over a five-game scoreless streak, but even if he takes Fry’s job, he faces the ultimate fate of every Baltimore reliever: a trade to a contender that will use him in the sixth inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Fry | Sulser | Scott.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets — The Mets got some good news ahead of their series with the Yankees, as Jeurys Familia was activated from the IL. Familia has been boom-or-bust this year, with several scoreless outings surrounding a couple of disasters. We will see how the Mets deploy him, but expect him to work his way back towards the later innings.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Castro.
Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays bullpen suffered yet another injury when Tyler Chatwood hit the IL. Chatwood’s neck strain may have contributed to the five runs he allowed in his last two appearances. Behind Jordan Romano, the Jays are looking pretty thin, so recently recalled Anthony Castro joins the hierarchy, at least until Rafael Dolis returns from his rehab assignment.
Updated hierarchy: Romano | Mayza | Castro.
Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes couldn’t hold a one-run lead in the ninth, and when the Red Sox scored in the top of the tenth, that left the save chance to Adam Ottavino. Ottavino worked around a leadoff single to secure his sixth save of the year. Barnes and Ottavino have been one of the most consistent closer-setup duos in the league this year, combining for 24 saves on the season.
Hierarchy remains: Barnes | Ottavino | Taylor.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. AJ Minter (ATL) — Will Smith has pitched back-to-back, including 20 pitches last night.
2. Cole Sulser (BAL) — Paul Fry has pitched in two of three and three of five, and Sulser is just pitching better right now.
3. Adam Ottavino (BOS) — Ottavino just snagged a save last night, but Matt Barnes has now thrown in four of five and could get the day off.
4. Heath Hembree (CIN) — Hembree may also be in line for another save, as both Brad Brach and Amir Garrett have pitched back-to-back and in three of four.
5. Tony Watson/Mike Mayers (LAA) — Raisel Iglesias has kept his pitch count down, but has still pitched in four of the last six.
6. Paul Sewald (SEA) — Kendall Graveman has thrown 40 pitches over the past three days.
7. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) — Alex Reyes has pitched in three of four, including 22 pitches over two innings last night.
Sunday:
1. Ryne Stanek (HOU) — Today would be three in a row for Ryan Pressly.
2. Jake Diekman (OAK) — Today would be two straight and three of four for Lou Trivino.
3. Chad Green/Jonathan Loaisiga (NYY) — The Yankees have a doubleheader . . .
4. Seth Lugo (NYM) — . . . against the Mets.