July 20, 2019

Boston Red Sox — Nathan Eovaldi will be activated for tonight’s game in Baltimore, but he won’t necessarily be the closer right away according to Alex Cora. Cora seems to like what Brandon Workman has done lately in the ninth inning whenever David Price isn’t allowing homers to .173 hitters. Cora did say that Eovaldi will get high-leverage innings, but we’ll slot Eovaldi behind Workman based on Cora’s comments last night.

Updated hierarchy: *Workman | Eovaldi | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — As Dave Roberts indicated, Kenley Jansen was available last night after his injury scare. He delivered a great performance, striking out the side in a one-run game to pick up his 24th save of the year. Jansen owners will be happy to see him back and appearing healthy.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Urias.

Cincinnati Reds — Travel issues prevented Amir Garrett from his scheduled rehab appearance on Friday, which means his eventual activation may not come until Sunday. Unfortunately for the Reds, their bullpen had no trouble getting to the stadium on Friday. Raisel Iglesias, placed on the three-day paternity list Wednesday, should be back this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: *Iglesias | Lorenzen | Hughes.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies needed to get their bullpen a rest, so they brought on Cole Irvin to pitch the eighth inning of a two-run game. He stayed on for the ninth after the Phillies added three runs to earn his first career save. Irvin has been shaky in his rookie season, mostly as a spot starter and long reliever, so this save might be his last one for a while. The rest of the bullpen probably appreciated the break, as Hector Neris, Adam Morgan, JD Hammer and Jose Alvarez had all seen plenty of work in the last week. 

Hierarchy remains: Neris | Morgan | Hammer.

New York Yankees — After the Yankees extended their lead to 8-2 with three runs in the sixth inning, Stephen Tarpley pitched the final three innings to earn his second career save. Tarpley does not factor into the Yankees’ usual late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Sam Dyson — Will Smith has gone in two straight and four of five.
2. Pedro Strop — Craig Kimbrel has pitched in three of four.
3. Ryan Pressly — Roberto Osuna has gone each of the last two days and has only pitched three straight days twice this season, with one of those instances including a one-pitch outing.
4. Blake Treinen — Liam Hendriks threw 20 pitches to get the final five outs last night.

Sunday:
1. Brandon Kintzler — If both Craig Kimbrel and Pedro Strop pitch today, Kintzler may be a candidate to get the ninth on Sunday.
2. Ryan Pressly/Hector Rondon — If Roberto Osuna gets a third straight outing, Pressly or failed opener Hector Rondon should get a crack at the ninth on Sunday. A Saturday appearance for Pressly will be his third over the last four days.
3. Blake Treinen — If Liam Hendriks does go today, he should get Sunday off.
4. Andrew Miller — The Cardinals bullpen has been very busy of late. If Carlos Martinez pitches today, that will be two straight and four of five. Miller should get today off after three straight appearances.