July 20, 2015
Kansas City Royals – In perhaps the most unlikely save of 2015, Joe Blanton got the last three outs of a 3-run Royals victory on Sunday. Save for Blanton, virtually the entire Kansas City bullpen had pitched on both Friday and Saturday, and rather than make someone go three straight, Ned Yost opted for Blanton. He does not factor in to Kansas City’s usual late inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.
Cleveland Indians – After Cody Allen blew the save in the 9th, Zach McAllister got the last two outs in the 11th after the Indians had retaken the lead. Despite the blown save, Allen’s job is perfectly safe.
Hierarchy remains: Allen | Shaw | McAllister.
Chicago Cubs – After Sunday’s game, the Cubs promoted Rafael Soriano to the big league club after the veteran posted seven scoreless minor league appearances. Given Joe Maddon’s familiarity with him — Soriano had arguably his best season when serving as the Rays’ closer in 2010 — we think he’ll be a factor in the late innings right away. Additionally, depending on where you stand on sunk cost theory, the Cubs ate a lot of money to get Soriano the big leagues, as they DFA’d former starter Edwin Jackson to make room for him. (Jackson still had $15.6 million left on his deal.) Pedro Strop has had a few bad outings lately, so we’ll tentatively slot Soriano in to the 2nd in line spot and see how Maddon utilizes him in the early going.
Updated hierarchy: *Motte | Rondon | Soriano.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman threw 44 pitches on Sunday and will likely be held out of the game tonight.
2. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – A double header today means an outside chance of a save opportunity for Joe Smith…
3. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – …or Junichi Tazawa.
