May 9, 2019
Chicago Cubs — Before Wednesday’s game, Joe Maddon played to type by announcing that “anyone and everyone” could close in Pedro Strop’s absence. When the ninth inning came around with a one-run lead, Maddon sent out lefty Kyle Ryan, then pulled him for Steve Cishek after a single. That runner wound up scoring and the Cubs pulled out the win two innings later. Taking Maddon at his word, we give Cishek a slight edge over Brandon Kintzler, Brad Brach, Carl Edwards, Jr., Mitch Williams, Ronald Kaplan, Esq., and your cousin who played travel ball and hit 75 once at the Speed Pitch booth.
Updated hierarchy: *Cishek | Kintzler | Brach.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s — In his first appearance since April 28, Blake Treinen overcame his elbow soreness and threw a reassuringly clean two innings.
Hierarchy remains: Treinen | Trivino | Soria.
Miami Marlins — Drew Steckenrider has right elbow inflammation and will get some time on the injured list to recover. Aside from a nightmare outing last Saturday, Nick Anderson has been very impressive (29 K in 15.2 IP). He and Tayron Guerrero should pick up the slack.
Updated hierarchy: Romo | Conley | Anderson.
Texas Rangers — Chris Martin got his turn to close for the Rangers and converted. Martin and Shawn Kelley will continue to split chances until Jose Leclerc gets the job back.
Hierarchy remains: *Kelley | Martin | Leclerc.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox — The top three Boston relievers pitched earlier in a tie game, so Heath Hembree was able to earn his first career save in the twelfth.
Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Brasier | Workman.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks — After Arizona got three scoreless extra innings out of Archie Bradley, it was sometimes-starter Zack Godley left to pick up the save in the thirteenth inning. Meanwhile, rookie Yoan Lopez is pitching very well and has moved past struggling Yoshihisa Hirano into second in line.
Updated hierarchy: Holland | Bradley | Lopez.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Keone Kela went to the IL on Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation, and Francisco Liriano (1.08 ERA in 16 games; 10.8 K/9) should get more high-leverage looks as a result.
Updated hierarchy: Vazquez | Crick | Liriano.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brandon Kintzler/Brad Brach — Cishek has gone in four of five, so he won’t get a second straight shot.
Friday:
1. Paul Fry — If you want to bet that Baltimore will (a) win on Friday and (b) sit Mychal Givens for a second straight day after a 32-pitch outing on Wednesday, well, stranger things have happened.
