June 27, 2019
Chicago Cubs — At long last, Craig Kimbrel will join a major league roster today. Kimbrel will be activated before this afternoon’s game against his old friends from Atlanta, and should immediately take over the ninth for the Cubs.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Strop | Cishek.
Boston Red Sox — Boston leads the league with 16 blown saves, the latest courtesy of Matt Barnes, Jose Abreu, and the Green Monster. With an 8.49 ERA since June 2 and 10 earned runs in appearances on zero days’ rest, Barnes is making the case for the team to trade for a closer. Alex Cora pointed to the time off surrounding this weekend’s London series as an opportunity to reset the bullpen, but three days of rest and the return of Steven Wright and Heath Hembree won’t solve the problem. Five weeks remain until the trade deadline.
Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Workman | Brasier.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers — The MLB-leading Dodgers are considering an upgrade to one of their few weak spots, kicking the tires on two premier closers: divisional rival Will Smith and Pirates stalwart Felipe Vazquez. Kenley Jansen is as unhittable as ever (.192 BAA, 12.0 K/9), but the middle innings have been sketchy — and as the Yankees have shown recently, a contender can never have too many lights-out relievers.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Baez | Urias.
New York Yankees — Zack Britton got another save chance to spare Aroldis Chapman a third straight day of work. Britton blew the save, but because Alexander Cartwright made it very clear in 1845 that YOU CAN NEVER USE YOUR CLOSER IN A TIE GAME ON THE ROAD, the Blue Jays turned to Nick King Ham and his 9+ ERA instead of Ken Giles, handing Britton a vulture win.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.
Cincinnati Reds — Raisel Iglesias gave up four runs in a tie game to earn his seventh loss and worsen his woes in non-save situations (5.71 ERA). Counterintuitively, this sort of performance might ultimately strengthen his hold on the Reds’ closer job if it dampens trade interest.
Hierarchy remains: *Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — Luke Jackson and Anthony Swarzak had each pitched in three of the last four games, giving A.J. Minter his first chance at a save in two months. Minter set down four Cubs (two by strikeout) to earn his fourth save, and Jackson should probably be nervous.
Hierarchy remains: Jackson | Swarzak | Minter.
San Diego Padres — Craig Stammen got the last out of the eighth with the bases loaded and a five-run lead, and that qualified him for a save when he finished up the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Yates | Stammen | Wingenter.
Oakland A’s — Liam Hendriks earned his second save in Blake Treinen’s absence, and Joakim Soria helped him get there, pitching a clean eighth in a two-run game.
Updated hierarchy: Hendriks | Trivino | Soria.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Lou Trivino — Two straight for Liam Hendriks (44 pitches).
2. JD Hammer/Juan Nicasio — Hector Neris has also pitched in two straight.
3. Anthony Bass — Roenis Elias needed 32 pitches to get a two-inning save.
Friday:
1. Scott Oberg/Bryan Shaw — If Wade Davis appears Thursday, it will be three of four, and Oberg has already gone in three of four.
