August 30, 2015
Boston Red Sox — Jean Machi pitched a perfect ninth inning on Saturday to pick up his third save of the season. Junichi Tazawa was unavailable after throwing thirty pitches on Friday. Tazawa has really struggled lately so if Machi can string together a couple more strong outings, he could have a chance to take over as the head of this committee.
Hierarchy remains: Tazawa | Machi | Ogando.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s – Drew Pomeranz struck out the side on Saturday night to earn his third save of the year. Sean Doolittle has given up at least one run in each of his two appearances since returning from the disabled list. Pomeranz could still see some save opportunities in the short term, but long term Doolittle should settle back into that role.
Hierarchy remains: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Venditte.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals — Wade Davis recorded his thirteenth save of the season yesterday, and lowered his ERA under 1.00 in the process. Greg Holland pitched the previous two games, including a save on Friday, so he was given the night off on Saturday. Holland is still the closer in Kansas City but Davis will continue to see save chances when Holland is rested.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Addison Reed has reportedly been traded to the Mets, pending a physical. Andrew Chafin took the loss last night but has been pitching pretty well out of the bullpen for the Diamondbacks and could fill Reed’s seventh inning role moving forward.
Updated hierarchy: Ziegler | Hudson | Chafin.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of closer Kenley Jansen last night. Johnson has now picked up a save and two holds in his last three appearances for the Dodgers, and could finally be settling in to the set-up man that the Dodgers were hoping they were getting when they traded for Johnson back at the end of July.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Johnson | Avilan.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Keone Kela/Sam Dyson, Texas Rangers – Shawn Tolleson has pitched in three straight, throwing a total of 52 pitches during that time.
2. Jim Johnson, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight, and four of the last five.
3. Joakim Soria, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched three days in a row.
4. Drew Pomeranz, Oakland A’s – Pomeranz got the save last night and could get the call on any given day until Doolittle re-establishes himself as the closer.
