August 25, 2018
New York Yankees — Aaron Boone said he would mix and match and that’s exactly what happened last night. In a tie game, David Robertson pitched the 7th inning and gave up a pair of unearned runs. The Yankees tied it back up, and Dellin Betances came on to face the 4-5-6 hitters for Baltimore in the 8th inning spot and threw a scoreless inning. Chad Greene took the 9th with the game still tied, and when the Yankees scored 3 in the 10th, it was Zach Britton who got the save opportunity. He gave up a solo homer but got the job done. Without Aroldis Chapman, this bullpen could go anywhere. We still think that Betances is the best arm in the bullpen, and would likely get any close save opportunities, but with the Yankees holding Britton out as the visitors, he moves to first in line and could move to head of the committee if the Yankees do it again.
Updated hierarchy: *Betances | Britton | Robertson.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Drew Steckinrider pitched a clean 8th inning, and with three lefties due up to start the ninth, that opened the door for Adam Conley to get the save opportunity in a 1 run game. Conley pitched a clean 9th and earned his 2nd save on the year. Conley has been good, outside of a 5 run meltdown on August 14, but he would need at least one more clear save chance before he moves to the top of the committee. In other news, Kyle Barraclough was activated from the DL, and will be used in high leverage spots “gradually.” He will likely return to the hierarchy soon, but we want to see how Don Mattingly deploys him
Hierarchy remains: *Steckenrider | Conley | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers — The Brewers got Joakim Soria back from the DL and threw him right into the 8th inning of a 1 run game. He struck out the side on 13 pitches and will immediately jump back into the hierarchy. Josh Hader was used in the 6th and 7th innings, which left Jeremy Jeffress to try to protect a 1 run lead. Jeffress couldn’t convert the save, and set up a dramatic finish 6 innings later. After giving up 2 runs in the 15th, (and sending even the diehard fans to bed), the Brewers scored 3 off of Clay Holmes to stay in the 2nd NL wildcard spot.
Updated hierarchy: *Hader | Jeffress | Soria.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joakim Soria – Jeremy Jeffress threw 31 pitches last night, and Josh Hader threw 27, so both may get a night off, leaving Soria the best-rested arm there.
2. Kyle Crick – The Same is true for Felipe Vazquez and Keone Kela (yes, even the pitch count)
3. Tony Watson – Will Smith has pitched in back to back games.
Sunday
1. Brandon Kintzler – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Pedro Strop
2. Cory Gearrin/Alex Claudio – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Josh LeClerc and Cory Gearrin, so if either pitch today, they would likely get Sunday off.
