September 19, 2015
Kansas City Royals — It wasn’t long ago that Greg Holland and Jamaal Charles would have welcomed being compared to each other, but sic transit gloria Missouri. Serious concerns over Holland’s velocity and reliability deepened Friday night after an extra-inning blown save that included a bases-loaded walk; although Ned Yost was silent after the game (“I’m done talking about Greg right now. I’m not saying anything more about Greg tonight”), the conventional wisdom is that Wade Davis will be the team’s new closer before they return to Kansas City next week. We’ll let you know if and when Yost decides to announce a move.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.
New York Mets — Tyler Clippard tweaked his back during batting practice, so Addison Reed got the eighth inning against the Yankees on Friday night. After the game, Clippard told the press that he expects to be available Saturday.
Hierarchy remains: Familia | Clippard | Reed.
Oakland A’s — The committee lives in Oakland. After Sean Doolittle threw 26 pitches in a two-inning outing on Thursday, it was impressive rookie Ryan Dull’s chance to lock down the eighth and ninth and earn his first career save.
Updated hierarchy: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Dull.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon got a second straight night off after appearing in three straight games (62 pitches), but Alex Wilson couldn’t lock down the save, giving up a game-tying home run immediately after relieving Justin Verlander.
Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
