May 30, 2017
New York Mets – Up by 2 runs in the 8th, the Mets summoned Paul Sewald to bridge the gap to Addison Reed, and Sewald responded with a perfect inning that included two strikeouts. Terry Collins had Jerry Blevins and Fernando Salas warming in case Sewald (20.1 IP, 24 Ks/4 BBs, 2.21 ERA) got into trouble, but the young righty may have seized the 8th inning with the strong outing.
Updated hierarchy: Reed | Sewald | Blevins.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Watson blew his third save of the year on Monday, earning the win when Andrew McCutchen hit a walkoff homer in the bottom half of the inning. Watson’s ERA is now 4.03, and he should be looking over his shoulder at Felipe Rivero, Pittsburgh’s prize acquisition in the Mark Melancon deal last year. Rivero, who earned his 12th hold of the season on Monday with a scoreless 8th inning, throws 100 mph and has an ERA of 0.68. That groan you heard just now was from the fans in Washington.
Hierarchy remains: Watson | Rivero | Nicasio.
San Diego Padres – After two straight saves for Brad Hand last week, Brandon Maurer has gotten two straight chances for the Padres this week, converting them both. We’ll leave Hand at the top of the committee for now, as he actually had the tougher assignment on Monday, entering with the bases loaded and one out in the 7th. He induced a double play ball, then stayed on for a clean 8th.
Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Maurer | Buchter.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Danny Farquhar – Alex Colome has gone in back to back and three of four (4.1 total IP).
2. Tommy Kahnle/Anthony Swarzak – David Robertson has pitched in three straight. Tommy Kahnle can probably go, but he’s also had a heavy workload, having pitched yesterday and in five of the last seven.
3. Kyle Barraclough – AJ Ramos has gone back to back and three of four.
Tomorrow
1. Kyle Barraclough – If AJ Ramos is able to go tonight, he’ll surely have tomorrow off.
2. Nick Vincent – If Edwin Diaz goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
3. Ryan Buchter – If Brad Hand and Brandon Maurer go tonight, it’ll be three straight for both of them.
4. Shawn Kelley – If Koda Glover goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
5. Paul Sewald/Jerry Blevins – If Addison Reed goes tonight, it’ll be back to back, three of four, and five of seven.
6. Felipe Rivero – If Tony Watson goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
7. Alex Wilson – If Justin Wilson goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
