June 7, 2015
Seattle Mariners — Carson Smith, who received a standing ovation as he entered the game, pitched a perfect 9th on Saturday night to record his first career save. Manager Lloyd McClendon finally admitted that Rodney would get some time off from closing to clean up some things. It looks like it will be a closer-by-committee with Mark Lowe and Charlie Furbush also getting chances situationally. Carson Smith should get the majority of the save opportunities, but he has only pitched three days in a row once this season, and the Mariners will likely be cautious with his innings.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Lowe | Furbush.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs – After Jason Hammel gave up a homer to Bryce Harper to start the 9th, the Cubs brought on Hector Rondon. He walked the first batter he faced and was immediately pulled by Joe Maddon. Pedro Strop came on and picked up his second save of the season. Madden said after the game that he was not naming a new closer. However, he did admit that he might try to get Rondon work in some non-save situations. It sounds like it could be a committee for the near future if Rondon is getting in some work in lower-leverage situations so Strop and Motte could see some save chances while that happens.
Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Strop | Motte.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks – Brad Ziegler pitched a scoreless 9th for his 6th save of the season yesterday. For the second straight time, it was Addison Reed who pitched the 8th inning ahead of Ziegler. Reed has been pitching better, and it looked like he might start getting some save chances again, but Ziegler has gotten the call on the last three traditional save opportunities and converted each one. Ziegler appears to have the job all to himself for now but this could return to a committee if he slips up at all.
Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Reed | Hudson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in three straight.
2. Mark Lowe/Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – Carson Smith has pitched in two straight and only gone three in a row once this season so this could be a good day to use Lowe or Furbush.
3. Pedro Strop/Jason Motte, Chicago Cubs – If Joe Maddon decides to use Hector Rondon in a lower-leverage situation, Strop or Motte should see the save opportunity.
