July 23, 2019
Texas Rangers – With Shawn Kelley officially on the IL, Chris Woodward indicated that Jose Leclerc and Chris Martin would handle 9th inning duties in Kelley’s absence. We detailed their recent work in yesterday morning’s post, and figure this might come down to who converts successfully first. From an organizational perspective, the Rangers may want to give Martin the first few cracks in the hopes that he succeeds and bolsters his trade value. But Leclerc has been viewed as the closer of the future for some time, so they might just give him back the job he lost at the end of April.
Hierarchy remains: *C.Martin | Leclerc | B.Martin.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds – Raisel Iglesias couldn’t escape the 8th inning last night, allowing an inherited run to score, plus three more, as the Reds relinquished the lead. They got it back in the top of the 9th, allowing Jared Hughes to convert his first save of the season. Michael Lorenzen and Amir Garrett had already pitched earlier in the night.
Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.
San Francisco Giants – The Giants gave Will Smith the night off after he’d appeared in three of the last four, and Sam Dyson got the 9th, converting for his 2nd save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Smith | Dyson | Watson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. John Gant/Andrew Miller – Carlos Martinez has gone back to back and three of four.
2. Michael Lorenzen – Raisel Iglesias has gone back to back, throwing 50 pitches.
Tomorrow
1. Blake Parker – If Taylor Rogers goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
