August 1, 2022
Texas Rangers – Jonathan Hernandez would have gotten the 9th on Saturday had the Rangers held the lead; instead, he got his first save chance on Sunday, which he converted. Hernandez, who was activated in mid-July, was one of the Rangers’ best arms in 2020 before Tommy John surgery cost him over a year of time. But Chris Woodward apparently remembers, as he was willing to give Hernandez a shot at the 9th inning after only four appearances this season. We’ll shuffle him to the top of this very uncertain hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: *Hernandez | Moore | Burke.
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – The first post-Taylor Rogers save chance went to Luis Garcia on Sunday, and the righty converted with a perfect 9th inning. Garcia was the leading candidate to take this job over, and if he has a run of success out of the gate, he’s got every shot of keeping it. This situation remains fluid, but for now, Garcia is the best arm to own here.
Updated hierarchy: *Garcia | Martinez | Crismatt.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds – The Reds continued to mix and match in the absence of Hunter Strickland, using Alexis Diaz for the last out of the 7th and the 8th innings, whereupon he surrendered a 1-run lead, then going to Buck Farmer for the 9th after they’d scored in the top half. Farmer converted the save for his first of the season, though Diaz remains the best reliever in this bullpen (including Strickland). We’ll see if any pattern emerges.
Updated hierarchy: *Diaz | Sanmartin | Farmer.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Rafael Montero – Ryan Pressly has gone back to back and three of four.
2. Evan Phillips – Craig Kimbrel has gone in two of the last three, totaling 55 pitches (26 last night).
3. Kendall Graveman – Liam Hendriks has gone back to back.
Tomorrow
1. Erik Swanson – If Paul Sewald goes today, it’s three straight.
2. Trevor Stephan – If Emmanuel Clase goes tonight, it’s back to back and three of four.