July 6, 2017
Los Angeles Angels — Miracle of miracles, the Angels actually had a low-drama save, courtesy of Bud Norris. One more and we jettison the asterisk. Meanwhile, Huston Street’s twingy groin will put him back on the disabled list until the season restarts on July 14.
Hierarchy remains: *Norris | Hernandez | Bedrosian.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — Jeff Banister confirmed that Texas will be using a three-man committee to close: Jose Leclerc, Alex Claudio, and Matt Bush. Ernesto Frieri was recently designated for assignment to make room for Jeremy Jeffress.
Hierarchy remains: *Leclerc | Claudio | Bush.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino strained the index finger on his throwing hand and will require a stint on the DL. The Braves don’t expect the injury to be serious, but it’s at least a slight blow to his status as a second-half save sleeper. Sam Freeman, one of three lefties in the Atlanta bullpen, should see more work in the late innings through the All-Star break. Jason Motte and Rex Brothers are also hanging around for the Braves.
Updated hierarchy: Johnson | Ramirez | Freeman.
New York Yankees — Dellin Betances’s ERA has octupled in the past two weeks, which will happen when you’re walking guys at a rate of 23 per nine innings. Wednesday’s debacle saw him walk the bases loaded against Toronto’s 7-8-9 hitters, strike out Jose Bautista, get squeezed on a 2-2 curve, and then walk in the eventual winning run. Repeated collapses from the Yankees’ bullpen have been a huge factor in their wretched 6-16 stretch.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Green.
Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton got a low-leverage seventh to help him shake off some rust.
Hierarchy remains: Britton | Brach | O’Day.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. David Phelps — The top three for Miami have all pitched in three out of four, but Phelps needed only five pitches on Wednesday.
2. Brad Brach — Zach Britton may not be ready to go back-to-back yet.
Friday:
1. Juan Nicasio — Felipe Rivero has pitched in two straight games; so has Nicasio, but he’s thrown fewer pitches.
2. Ryan Tepera — Roberto Osuna has gone in two straight.
3. Trevor Rosenthal — So has Seung Hwan Oh.
4. Pedro Baez — And Kenley Jansen.
5. Jake McGee — If Greg Holland pitches Thursday, it will be his third game in four days.
6. Taylor Rogers — The same is true of Brandon Kintzler.
