June 16, 2017
Detroit Tigers – This week, manager Brad Ausmus declared he would try former closer Francisco Rodriguez in high-leverage situations again after he complained a bunch. Ausmus wasn’t lying, as it was 3-2 in the eighth inning when K-Rod came trotting out to the hill. He picked up another blown save (his sixth) after allowing a game-tying home run, leading to a smattering of boos and cursing from the Detroit crowd. Justin Wilson owners were pleased by that development, as the current closer picked up the win with a clean ninth after the Tigers walked off in the bottom half. As for K-Rod, it’s hard to believe he’ll already be in the dog house, but he can’t be trusted until he earns it back.
Hierarchy remains: J. Wilson | A. Wilson | Greene.
Philadelphia Phillies – In a tight 1-0 win Thursday, the Phillies turned to Pat Neshek… in the eighth inning (1 H, 1 K, 0 R, 1 W) and Hector Neris in the ninth (1 BB, 2 Ks, 0 R, 1 SV). Don’t sound the alarm, but it’s starting to look like it’s Neris’s job again — and perhaps he never lost it. The Phillies are auditioning Neshek to boost his trade value, but if Neris gets the next save or two for Philly, we’ll remove the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: *Neris | Neshek | Gomez.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Oliver Drake picked up his first career save with a scoreless ninth inning for Milwaukee. Corey Knebel and Jacob Barnes were apparently unavailable after each pitched in two straight games, and Carlos Torres was called upon to get crucial outs with the game tied in the eighth inning. If we listed a third-in-line, it would likely be Drake, and definitely not former closer Neftali Feliz, who recently got DFA’d.
Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Barnes | Torres.
New York Yankees – Injured closer Aroldis Chapman is set to start for Double-A Trenton and if all goes well, he’ll rejoin the Yankees this weekend and reclaim his job, though Dellin Betances has been Fernando Rodney 2012-like in his absence, posting 41 K in 21.2 IP, a 0.42 ERA and 6 saves. (Yes, we’re testing to see if this works again.)
Hierarchy remains: Betances | Clippard | Warren.
Los Angeles Angels – Former closer Cam Bedrosian appears ready to rejoin the big club this weekend, but we’ll wait to see how he fits in given that Bud Norris has pitched pretty well in his absence.
Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hernandez | Parker
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jake McGee – Greg Holland has pitched in two straight. He hasn’t gone in three straight days yet this season.
2. Tyler Clippard – Dellin Betances threw 39 pitches over 1.2 IP Thursday, but he had rest prior to that appearance and could conceivably be available Friday.
Tomorrow
1. Alex Wilson – Justin Wison has pitched in three of the last five games, including Thursday. If he goes again Friday, that’d be 3 out of 4 and 4 out of 6 for him.
