July 26, 2018
Chicago Cubs — Another save opportunity for Pedro Strop moves him to the top of the Cubs’ pecking order. Brandon Morrow is not expected to return anytime soon, so if the Cubs fail to add a big-name reliever, Strop may be able to make the job his own.
Updated hierarchy: *Strop | Edwards | Cishek.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Indians — Both of the Indians’ recent bullpen acquisitions came up big on Wednesday. Adam Cimber induced a double play in the eighth and Brad Hand finished the inning with a strikeout. After Cleveland scored twice in the bottom of the inning, Hand stayed on to finish the game and earn his 25th save and first for the Tribe. It’s still Cody Allen’s job; this was just one of those situational matchups Francona warned about. With Neil Ramirez’s recent struggles, however, we’ll slide Cimber into the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Allen | Hand | Cimber.
New York Mets — The Mets used Robert Gsellman in a tight spot in the seventh, leaving Anthony Swarzak to pick up his second save of the season with an impressive two-inning appearance. Swarzak is better than his numbers suggest (though not nearly as good as his contract suggests), and if Gsellman is going to be used in high-leverage spots before the ninth, Swarzak could grab some more save opportunities. Over the long-long-term, however, advanced stats suggest you might want to look into Bobby Wahl (subscription).
Hierarchy remains: *Gsellman | Swarzak | Lugo.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — When the recently returned Johnny Venters replaced Sergio Romo to start the ninth inning of a one-run game against the Yankees yesterday, it looked like the Rays might be easing back into some kind of committee mode. Until, that is, one took a closer look at third base, where the Rays had stashed Romo while Venters retired lefty Greg Bird. With Bird out of the way, Romo jogged back to the mound to pick up the save and deliver a most unusual box score.
Hierarchy remains: Romo | Alvarado | Stanek.
Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays have traded Seung-Hwan Oh to Colorado. Replacing him in the middle innings should be a combination of Aaron Loup, John Axford, and maybe even Jaime Garcia.
Updated hierarchy: *Tepera | Clippard | Loup.
* = closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies — We expect newly-acquired Seung-Hwan Oh to shore up the seventh inning for the Rockies. Oh might not be “The Final Boss” anymore, but he’s still a pretty tough one: think Mouser or Bald Bull.
Updated hierarchy: Davis | Ottavino | Oh.
Texas Rangers — We accurately predicted a Jose Leclerc vulture save opportunity last night, but the young righty couldn’t capitalize, giving up two runs on a Khris Davis home run to set up Blake Treinen instead.
Hierarchy remains: Kela | Diekman | Leclerc.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Pat Neshek — Seranthony Dominguez has gone in three of four (27 pitches yesterday) and Victor Arano has pitched in two straight.
2. Ryan Madson — Kelvin Herrera hasn’t thrown many pitches, but he’s worked in three of four games.
Friday:
1. Jose Alvarado — Romo threw 32 pitches on Wednesday.
2. Lou Trivino — Blake Treinen has gone in two straight.
