September 11, 2017
Los Angeles Angels – Sporting a three-run lead, the Angels went Bedrosian-Parker-Petit to get through the final three innings. So the committee is back — maybe it never really left — though we still think Parker is the best bet at this point to get a save on any given night.
Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Bedrosian | Petit.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks – A day after Fernando Rodney got smacked around, Archie Bradley got the 9th inning and picked up his first save of the season. However, after the game, Torey Lovullo was quick to say there was no closer controversy — Rodney was just getting the day off. Still, given how dynamite Bradley has been all season, we think that the would-be controversy may be on if Rodney has another bad outing or two.
Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Bradley | Hernandez.
Toronto Blue Jays – Luis Santos got his first career save on Sunday afternoon, pitching the final three innings of a Blue Jays blowout win. Through three big league outings, Santos has been rock solid (8.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 7 Ks, 1 BB), and given that the Blue Jays bullpen isn’t exactly a model of consistency, they might be willing to give him a look in some higher leverage spots down the stretch.
Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Tepera | Leone.
Washington Nationals – Sean Doolittle got a second consecutive day off after pitching four of the previous five, so the Nationals instead clinched the NL East on the back of an extremely shaky Ryan Madson save. But the fact that Madson converted — and the fact that Brandon Kintzler was ostensibly available and stayed on the bench — suggests that Madson will get future chances when Doolittle is unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Madson | Kintzler.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joe Smith – The Indians are probably invested in keeping their record-long win streak alive, but since they have a 13-game lead in the division, they might give Cody Allen a day off after his back to back outings on Saturday and Sunday.
Tomorrow
1. Joe Smith – See above. If Cody Allen goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
2. Anthony Swarzak – If Corey Knebel goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
