April 29, 2019
Tampa Bay Rays – Diego Castillo pitched a scoreless ninth for the Rays on Sunday, notching his 3rd save of the year. Jose Alvarado pitched the 8th and looks like he will be continually deployed when the opposing lineup is most threatening. This appears to be a full-fledged committee, with Alvarado, Castillo, and Pagan sharing 10 saves between them so far.
Updated hierarchy: *Alvarado | Castillo | Pagan.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – AJ Minter, who is currently sporting a 9.35 ERA, allowed two runners to reach in the 9th inning before getting yanked for Luke Jackson, who retired both hitters he faced to earn his first save. Minter is on thin ice as the Braves continue to assess their post-Vizcaino bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: Minter | Jackson | Winkler.
Chicago White Sox – The White Sox put Nate Jones on the IL with inflammation in his pitching elbow. Jace Fry will likely see a few more hold chances going forward.
Updated hierarchy: Colome | Herrera | Fry.
St. Louis Cardinals – Protecting a 2-run lead, Jordan Hicks was summoned to put out a fire with two outs in the 8th inning. When the Cardinals scored three runs in the bottom half, they decided to give Hicks the rest of the night off, but then Dominic Leone got in trouble, forcing John Gant to come in and close out the game. It was Gant’s second save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Hicks | Miller | Gant.
San Francisco Giants – Will Smith gave up three runs in a non-save situation, pushing his ERA to 3.72. The Giants apparently intend to give Mark Melancon the closer job back at some point, and performances like this might make that day come sooner rather than later.
Hierarchy remains: Smith | Watson | Melancon.
Chicago Cubs – The Cubs won a 15-inning marathon in Arizona on Sunday, and their 9th pitcher of the day, something named Allen Webster, picked up the save.
Hierarchy remains: *Strop | Cishek | Kintzler.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jeurys Familia/Seth Lugo – Edwin Diaz has gone in back to back games, and it’s unclear whether the Mets would let him go three straight.
2. Joe Kelly – Kenley Jansen has gone in back to back and three of four.
Tomorrow
1. Andrew Miller – If Jordan Hicks goes today, it’ll be three straight.
2. Kelvin Herrera – If Alex Colome goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
