June 26, 2019
St. Louis Cardinals – When the news that Jordan Hicks tore his UCL came out, we initially liked Carlos Martinez to be the closer. We moved John Gant ahead of Martinez based on comments from John Mozeliak, but now Mozeliak has changed course after talking with Mike Shildt and said yesterday that Martinez will be the team’s closer. We’ll keep monitoring this situation, but Martinez looks to be the reliever to own in St. Louis.
Updated hierarchy: *Martinez | Gant | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs — Craig Kimbrel struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning for Triple-A Iowa last night in what should be his last minor-league outing. Kimbrel is expected to join the Cubs’ bullpen by Thursday or Friday. Joe Maddon said that he doesn’t plan to use Kimbrel for more than three-out save situations until the end of the season when there are more serious playoff implications.
Hierarchy remains: *Strop | Cishek | Kintzler.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes struck out two in a solid seventh inning, preserving a three-run lead against the 9-1-2 hitters. Ryan Brasier and Brandon Workman pitched the eighth and the ninth, respectively, with Workman earning his third save of the season. Alex Cora has said that he doesn’t want Barnes facing an opponent’s best hitters every single game, and Tuesday seemed like a good spot to give him a high-leverage inning without any of the fuss. Workman and Barnes remain the two best options to pick up saves among the Red Sox bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Workman | Brasier.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals — Yesterday we asked our Twitter followers to tell us who their favorite terrible closer of all-time is. Fernando Rodney, one of the most popular answers to that question, made his Nationals debut on Tuesday and pitched the ninth inning of a 5-1 victory. Rodney walked one, struck out one and induced a game-ending double play in his first MLB outing in over a month. Dave Martinez said that Rodney and fellow newcomer Jonny Venters will see some high-leverage situations, so we’ll keep an eye on how Rodney in particular performs with his new club.
Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Suero | Rainey.
Philadelphia Phillies — Juan Nicasio needed some help from Hector Neris last night, but he got out of the eighth inning unscathed to continue his scoreless month of June. Nicasio hasn’t allowed a run in nine appearances (7.2 IP) this month and should continue to see high-leverage spots along with Adam Morgan and JD Hammer. Morgan bounced back from a rough return to action on Saturday with a scoreless seventh inning last night.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Hammer | Nicasio.
Los Angeles Angels — Noe Ramirez struggled last month, culminating in a four-hit, five-run disaster on May 23. Since then, Ramirez has thrown 16.1 scoreless innings in a row and struck out 21 batters in that span. That includes three Ks over 1.2 innings of work last night in a 5-1 win. Ramirez probably isn’t ahead of Cam Bedrosian right now, but he’s certainly pitching his way into the late-inning conversation for the Angels.
Hierarchy remains: Robles | Buttrey | Bedrosian.
San Francisco Giants – Sam Dyson earned his second seventh-inning hold in his last three appearances on Tuesday. Dyson has recorded six holds in June and has become a part of the Giants’ late-inning plans. Reyes Moronta is striking out hitters at an impressive rate and has been outstanding in June, not allowing a run in 7.1 IP this month. Both Moronta and closer Will Smith will be popular trade targets for contenders, which should open the door for Dyson and Tony Watson to see more high-leverage opportunities when the dust settles.
Hierarchy remains: Smith | Watson | Moronta.
Kansas City Royals – While it wasn’t a traditional vulture save, Ian Kennedy sure did steal a save last night after Brad Hand allowed five runs and recorded zero outs in last night’s ninth inning, proving he’s human after all. If only Terry Francona read our Vulture Save Watch and save Tyler Clippard for the ninth. If you had Ian Kennedy in your lineup, congrats on the unlikely save!
Hierarchy remains: Kennedy | Peralta | Diekman.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Nick Wittgren – We thought Brad Hand would get yesterday off, but didn’t and that was probably a mistake as he noted above. After last night, Hand has gone in two straight and five of six. Wittgren pitched two innings on Monday and rested yesterday, while Tyler Clippard threw 1.1 innings last night and has thrown 36 pitches over the last two days.
2. Pedro Baez – Kenley Jansen has pitched in three of four, as has Baez. The Dodgers play on Thursday as well and Julio Urias threw 40 pitches over three innings of work last night, so either Baez or Jansen is likely to get one of the next two days off. It’s just a matter of who gets rested when.
3. Zack Britton – Aroldis Chapman has thrown 25 pitches in each of the last two games.
Tomorrow
1. Cam Bedrosian – If Hansel Robles and Ty Buttrey pitch today then that will be two straight and three of four for each of them.
2. Pedro Baez – Should Kenley Jansen pitch today, it’s very likely he’ll rest on Thursday.
3. Lou Trivino – Liam Hendriks tossed 24 pitches last night and may need Thursday off if he has another lengthy outing tonight.
4. JD Hammer – Hector Neris is in the same boat as Hendriks, as Neris threw 25 pitches in 1.1 inning of work on Tuesday.
