August 30, 2022
San Diego Padres – Before Monday’s game, Bob Melvin said that Nick Martinez was his preferred closer for the time being, and then went to Martinez in the 9th inning, whereupon the righty picked up his 7th save of the year. Melvin also said he wants to give Josh Hader (who after another awful outing Sunday has a 23.14 ERA with the Padres) more regular work, and Luis Garcia is still in the mix on occasion, but we’ll be quick to pull this asterisk if Martinez gets another save or two.
Updated hierarchy: *Martinez | Garcia | Hader.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Tanner Scott’s rough outing on Friday — a blown save in a game the Marlins go on to would lose in extras — was followed on Monday by a 7th inning appearance. For his part, Scott was dominant, needing just 12 pitches to strike out the 8-9-1 hitters, but this was an unusual spot for Miami’s ostensible closer. Dylan Floro last got a save two weeks ago, and pitched a scoreless 9th last night to keep the game tied, so it’s possible the Marlins are moving toward a committee approach. We will monitor.
Hierarchy remains: Scott | Floro | Okert.
Los Angeles Dodgers – After Craig Kimbrel, who was in his second inning of work, issued two walks to load the bases with one out, Chris Martin came on and wriggled out of the jam, getting a strikeout and popout to end the game. It was Martin’s first save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Phillips | Vesia.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Wil Crowe had a brutal outing on Monday, giving up the game-tying home run in the bottom of the 8th, and then a walkoff two-run homer in the 9th. Despite an underwhelming August, the Pirates probably aren’t ready to make a move here yet, but if they do want to tinker, setup man Duane Underwood has been steady, while Chase de Jong has a 13.1 inning scoreless streak.
Updated hierarchy: Crowe | Underwood | de Jong.
New York Yankees – The Yankees brought Clay Holmes back from the IL yesterday, and the righty immediately got some action, pitching a scoreless 7th inning. As long as he doesn’t show any rust, we expect that he will be eased back into the closer role in the next week or two, so we’re slotting him in at the top with the understanding that he might have another tune-up outing before he’s back to the 9th.
Updated hierarchy: *Holmes | Peralta | Loaisiga.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – Nursing a 1-run lead, the Angels had lefty Jose Quijada finish off the 8th inning, and then asked him to stay on to get through Anthony Rizzo. Once Rizzo was retired, Jimmy Herget came on for the game’s final two outs. This is still very much a committee, but since Herget has gotten the last two saves, we’ll shuffle him to the top.
Updated hierarchy: *Herget | Quijada | Chavez.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brad Boxberger – Devin Williams has gone back to back and three of four.
2. Evan Phillips – Craig Kimbrel threw 32 pitches across 1.1 innings of work last night.
3. Chase de Jong – Wil Crowe and Duane Underwood have both gone back to back.
4. Jhoan Duran – Jorge Lopez has gone back to back.
Tomorrow
1. Yimi Garcia – Jordan Romano threw 20 pitches last night; another extended outing and he could get Wednesday off.