August 3, 2017
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Our Donation Drive continues through this week. As always, we are extremely grateful for your support!]
Minnesota Twins — Some — including a Twins beat writer on Twitter! — scoffed when we predicted Matt Belisle would be best-positioned in the Twins bullpen if Brandon Kintzler was traded. But Wednesday night found Belisle warming in the ninth, ready to close if Ervin Santana had been unable to finish his complete game. Before the game, Paul Molitor said that lefty Taylor Rogers could also get a shot to close, depending on matchups, with Trevor Hildenberger waiting in the wings, especially in the event that Belisle is traded.
Updated hierarchy: *Belisle | Rogers | Hildenberger.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles — It’s been a month since Mychal Givens allowed a run: last night’s eighth-inning hold was his 12th straight scoreless appearance (12.1 IP, 18 K, 0.49 WHIP). Executive VP Dan Duquette recently called Givens “a closer on the horizon,” and we see him with the advantage over veteran Darren O’Day going forward.
Updated hierarchy: Britton | Brach | Givens.
Cleveland Indians — New acquisition Joe Smith has been thrown right into the high-leverage fire and could get some significant eighth-inning play now that Andrew Miller is on the DL with patellar tendonitis. Smith has seen huge increases in his K/9 rate and swinging strike percentage this season, and he returns the Indians to a fully anagrammable hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Clone Lady | Josh Time | Ashy Brawn.
Atlanta Braves — As expected, Arodys Vizcaino got the first save opportunity in the alleged Braves closer committee. We’re not convinced anyone else will actually get a chance — outside a day of rest or an unusual lefty matchup — but we’ll keep the asterisk at least one more day.
Hierarchy remains: *Vizcaino | Johnson | Brothers.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants — Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless inning in a rehab appearance on Wednesday; he’ll need at least one more before he returns to the closer role for the big club.
Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Strickland | Kontos.
Colorado Rockies — Greg Holland cut his index finger in a kitchen mishap on Tuesday and is day-to-day.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Neshek | Dunn.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Michael Lorenzen — Raisel Iglesias threw 42 pitches while securing a two-inning save.
2. Tommy Hunter — Alex Colome has pitched in two straight and three of four (50 pitches).
3. Pat Neshek — Holland may not be able to pitch yet with his injured finger.
Friday:
1. Alex Wilson — Shane Greene has gone in two straight; Wilson has gone in three, so he’ll probably get Thursday off. Joe Jimenez is another option as Brad Ausmus holds open tryouts for setup relievers.
