July 17, 2016
Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz pitched the eighth inning in Saturday’s 1-0 win, striking out two and allowing just one hit. After the game, Scott Servais said that Diaz has “earned his trust,” but that Diaz hasn’t formally supplanted Joaquin Benoit in the eighth inning. Servais’ major concern is overusing Diaz, who is not yet used to a long major league season. So while Benoit is still the most likely option ahead of Steve Cishek, don’t be surprised if Diaz continues to get high-leverage spots as the Mariners try and climb back into the playoff picture.
Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Benoit | Diaz.
San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla had a rough 10th inning on Saturday, allowing three straight singles and a walk-off balk against the Padres. After the game, Bruce Bochy said that he doesn’t want to flip-flop any of the late-inning roles. Casilla had converted nine straight saves prior to Saturday’s struggles, but with Sergio Romo back in the fold, Casilla’s leash may indeed be getting shorter.
Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Adam Liberatore has been outstanding in July, picking up holds in five of his six appearances so far this month. That included a seventh-inning hold on Saturday in an eventual Dodgers loss, which lowered his ERA to 0.59. He has only allowed two earned runs all season, both of which came in the same outing, has a WHIP of 0.82 and is averaging over a strikeout per inning. With the Dodgers looking to make a second-half run, Liberatore may be a key cog for them in the late innings.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Blanton | Liberatore.
Kansas City Royals — Wade Davis did indeed return from the DL on Saturday, making his first appearance since June 30. It was a non-save situation in the ninth, but Davis felt “free and easy,” despite also saying the ball felt a little erratic.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Herrera | Soria.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dan Otero, Cleveland Indians — Both Cody Allen (30 pitches) and Bryan Shaw (41) have gone in back-to-back games while Otero has just once since the All-Star break.
2. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — In a similar situation to the Indians, both Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter have thrown 29 pitches over the last two days while Quackenbush has just one outing under his belt since the All-Star break.
