August 12, 2021
New York Yankees — For the third time since Aroldis Chapman’s injury, Zack Britton got the ninth inning for the Yankees, protecting a three-run lead for his first save of the season. The Yankees will likely continue to treat this as a committee, but it looks like the experienced Britton will get the bulk of the opportunities.
Updated hierarchy: *Britton | Loiasiga | Green.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — Richard Rodriguez’s arrival in Atlanta has not led to any change in the Braves’ use of Will Smith in the ninth, so we’re going to pull the asterisk, and also swap Luke Jackson — who got the eighth with a two-run lead on Wednesday — in for Chris Martin. Smith and Jackson each allowed runs on Wednesday, but their roles look pretty solid.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Rodriguez | Jackson.
Milwaukee Brewers — Josh Hader returned from the COVID injured list after a 10-day stay, and he’ll bump Devin Williams back to a setup role going forward.
Updated hierarchy: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.
San Diego Padres — Daniel Hudson made his long-awaited San Diego debut, and it could have gone better. A single, a double, and two walks chased Hudson after 18 pitches. With Drew Pomeranz headed back to the injured list, Hudson should be a big part of the Padre bullpen, and he’ll have nowhere to go but up after today.
Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Pagan | Hudson.
Philadelphia Phillies — Jose Alvarado is headed to the injured list with a shoulder impingement, leaving the Phillies without a lefty reliever. Hector Neris yo-yos back into the top three as a result.
Updated hierarchy: Kennedy | Bradley | Neris.
Cincinnati Reds — In his second appearance back from injury, Lucas Sims got a save chance in the eleventh inning and got two-thirds of the way there before giving up a walk-off home run. Sims faced a hard road back to the hierarchy and this isn’t going to help matters.
Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Hembree | Lorenzen.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Chris Martin (ATL) — Martin is the #4 option in the Atlanta ‘pen, but on Thursday, he’s also the best-rested.
2. Jake Diekman (OAK) — It’s been three in four for Lou Trivino.
3. Adam Ottavino (BOS) — Matt Barnes could earn a second day off.
4. Trevor May (NYM) — Another doubleheader today for the Mets…
5. Gabe Klobosits (WAS) — …and Nationals.
6. Eddie Cicotte (CBS) — Sure, the knuckleballer has 361 career starts, but he also has 24 career saves. With Lance Lynn getting the nod to start for the Sox at the Field of Dreams, we think Cicotte, age 137, is the ghost player most likely to ease Lynn’s pain if he fails to go the distance.
Friday:
1. Jose Cisnero (DET) — Gregory Soto has pitched in two straight.
2. Paul Sewald (SEA) — So has Diego Castillo.
3. Emilio Pagan (SD) — An outing from Mark Melancon on Thursday will mark two of three and four of six.
4. Brad Hand (TOR) — The same is true of Jordan Romano.