August 2, 2017
[EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re running our Donation Drive this week. As always, we are extremely grateful for your support!]
Texas Rangers – If the last two games are any indication, Alex Claudio is perhaps not the preferred arm in the ninth inning for the Rangers. With Texas trailing by a run, Claudio pitched the eighth and Jose Leclerc got the ninth. Claudio has the arm and the efficiency to go multiple innings, and probably could have pitched the ninth if the Rangers took the lead, but his usage over the last two days has certainly been unconventional for a closer. We’ll move Leclerc to the top of the committee and monitor how long he stays there.
Updated hierarchy: *Leclerc | Claudio | Kela.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene got the final four outs of the game to pick up his first save as the newly anointed Tigers closer. Bruce Rondon was called upon to get the final out of the seventh inning before Alex Wilson was got the ball in the eighth inning. Brad Ausmus said on Monday that he will “pitch anybody anywhere” to get the ball to Greene. Left-hander Daniel Stumpf faced one batter in the eighth and will be the top choice to face any lefties in the late innings, while recently recalled Joe Jimenez will also be in the mix.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | A. Wilson | Rondon.
Tampa Bay Rays — Tommy Hunter (1.75 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) picked up his fourth eighth-inning hold in his last five appearances on Tuesday. When Alex Colome is unavailable, expect Hunter to get the ball in the ninth.
Updated hierarchy: Colome | Hunter | Boxberger.
Milwaukee Brewers — Anthony Swarzak has made three appearances in his short time with the Brewers and earned two eighth-inning holds, including one in Tuesday night’s 3-2 win over the Cardinals. Swarzak appears to have taken Jacob Barnes’ sport as the setup man in Milwaukee.
Updated hierarchy: Knebel | Swarzak | Barnes.
Chicago Cubs — Mike Montgomery pitched the final three innings of a 16-4 win Tuesday to collect his third save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Wilson | Uehara.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Nick Vincent – Edwin Diaz has thrown 48 pitches over the last four days.
Tomorrow
1. Addison Reed – Craig Kimbrel struggled through a 28-pitch outing on Tuesday. Another lengthy appearance Wednesday may lead to a save chance for Boston’s newest reliever.
2. Pedro Baez – If Kenley Jansen pitches Wednesday it will be two straight for him, and the Dodgers are less likely than other teams to throw their closer out for three straight days given their huge division lead.
3. David Phelps/Nick Vincent – If Edwin Diaz pitches today, he most certainly won’t pitch on Thursday. David Phelps may get a chance depending on Nick Vincent’s workload on Wednesday.
4. Tommy Hunter/Brad Boxberger – If Alex Colome gets the ball on Wednesday, it will be two straight appearances and three over the last four days. Tommy Hunter has pitched in three of four entering Wednesday, so Brad Boxberger has an outside shot of a save chance Thursday if both Hunter and Colome are unavailable.
