September 9, 2017
Kansas City Royals — The Royals announced Friday afternoon that Kelvin Herrera was being removed from the closer’s role, and his performance in that night’s game didn’t cause any regrets. Brought in with the team down a run, he gave up two extra-base hits that eventually yielded two more runs. As we told you yesterday, Ned Yost mentioned Brandon Maurer, Mike Minor, and Scott Alexander as potential replacements. We still think Maurer is the favorite, but Alexander has an impressive 15-game scoreless streak going, and has become a bit of a specialist at finishing innings that other pitchers have started, earning three saves in the process. Mike Minor has been a reliable eighth-inning arm, and has put up solid numbers, but he seems to be behind Maurer and Alexander for the moment.
Updated hierarchy: *Maurer | Alexander | Minor.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins — Matt Belisle pitched a perfect ninth inning for his seventh save. Belisle has pitched very well since taking over as the head of the Minnesota committee, and has gotten the last five save chances for the Twins. That’s enough for us to remove the asterisk, as it seems that Belisle will be the closer for the team’s playoff push. Backing him up should be Trevor Hildenberger, who has set up the last three outings.
Updated hierarchy: Belisle | Hildenberger | Rogers.
St. Louis Cardinals — Things are wide open in the Cardinals bullpen, and the newly acquired Juan Nicasio is right in the thick of it. His first appearance for the team found him successfully protecting a three-run lead against the Pirates, who traded him to the Phillies in a bizarre salary dump on August 31, only to see him moved to a fellow playoff contender. Nicasio hasn’t given up a run in eight outings (in three different uniforms), and though he won’t be eligible to pitch in the playoffs, he could play a big part getting the Cardinals there.
Updated hierarchy: *Oh | Lyons | Nicasio.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Daniel Stumpf pitched the last two outs of the seventh inning to snag his sixth hold and lower his ERA to a tidy 2.90. Meanwhile, Joe Jimenez saw his ERA balloon to 12.83 after giving up five runs in his last outing. Detroit seems happy with Shane Greene’s work as the closer, but it’s clear they don’t trust Jimenez to get the ball to him at this point.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Wilson | Stumpf.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brandon Kintzler/Ryan Madson — Sean Doolittle has pitched in back-to-back games and four of the last five. Brandon Kintzler has also gone in two straight, leaving Ryan Madson comparatively rested.
2. Taylor Rogers/Tyler Duffey — Belisle and Hildenberger have each gone in three straight. Rogers has pitched in three of four himself, so the Twins might call on Tyler Duffey — or, if they’re desperate, Glen Perkins.
3. Chris Devenski — The Astros have a doubleheader today and Ken Giles blew last night’s save.
4. Santiago Casilla — It’s the same doubleheader for Oakland, and Blake Treinen pitched an inning on Friday.
Sunday:
1. Anthony Swarzak — If Corey Knebel pitches today, it’ll be two straight and three of four.
2. Alex Wilson — Same with Shane Greene.
3. Nick Vincent — And Edwin Diaz.