September 11, 2016
Miami Marlins — A.J. Ramos is dealing with discomfort in the finger he fractured in early August. Fernando Rodney hasn’t been pitching well, but the injury to Ramos means both All-Stars should be in the mix for saves the rest of the season.
Hierarchy remains: *Ramos | Rodney | Barraclough.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — Tom Wilhelmsen returned from the disabled list yesterday. He pitched in a Mariners’ blowout victory and gave up a couple runs. Nick Vincent hasn’t allowed a run since Wilhelmsen went on the disabled list in late August and has picked up three holds during that time. We will leave Vincent on the hierarchy for now and watch how the Mariners use the veteran Wilhelmsen down the stretch.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Cishek | Vincent.
Milwaukee Brewers – Corey Knebel got the call in the eighth inning last night to protect a one run lead. Unfortunately for Brewers’ fans (and fans of any other NL team battling with the Cardinals for the wild card), Knebel was unable to get the job done, as he gave up four runs while only recording one out. Knebel has really struggled recently and Carlos Torres will likely see more time in the set-up role as a result.
Updated hierarchy: Thornburg | Torres | Knebel.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Fernando Rodney, Miami Marlins – Manager Don Mattingly has said he doesn’t know who will get the call for the next save chance and while Ramos has been pitching better than Rodney, the injury to Ramos complicates things
2. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals – Mark Melancon has pitched in two straight. Shawn Kelley has as well but he has only been asked to get one out each night.
3. Anybody but Santiago Casilla, San Francisco Giants – Bruce Bochy will likely mix and match in the ninth inning so it could be a righty in Sergio Romo, Joe Nathan, or Hunter Strickland, or a lefty in Will Smith or Javier Lopez, who ends up getting the last out in a save opportunity. It won’t be Santiago Casilla.
