September 28, 2015

Washington Nationals – Putting up ho-hum closer numbers since coming over via trade, Jonathan Papelbon hasn’t exactly endeared himself to Nationals fans just yet, so he decided the best way to win them over was to go all Homer Simpson on their best and most popular player. The scrum developed after Harper didn’t run hard on a pop fly, and Papelbon — always a poster child for giving it his all, even when the playoffs are out of the picture — took exception. With the Nats now eliminated from playoff contention — and Papelbon probably not especially welcome in the clubhouse right now anyway — expect him to drop his appeal and serve his suspension any day now. As mentioned previously, we figure on a committee for save chances in his absence.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Treinen | Rivero.

Los Angeles Angels – Mike Morin picked up the first save in the Angels committee, pitching a clean ninth inning. Trevor Gott had pitched in four of the previous five and was held out of action, and we still think he’s probably the best bet for saves in the season’s final week. But Morin does leapfrog Fernando Salas, and one more save could put him firmly in the driver’s seat for the final few opportunities of the year.

Updated hierarchy: *Gott | Morin | Salas.
* = closer-by-committee 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Blake Treinen, Washington Nationals – Even if he doesn’t drop his appeal, Jonathan Papelbon threw 32 pitches yesterday in a terrible outing, and has gone two days in a row.