August 21, 2019
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Seattle Mariners – Matt Magill earned his second save in as many chances on Tuesday night thanks to a 1-2-3 inning. Magill has now put together six straight scoreless outings (6.0 IP). Meanwhile, Anthony Bass pitched the eighth inning last night. We’ll swap Magill and Bass in the hierarchy accordingly.
Updated hierarchy: *Magill | Bass | Tuivailala.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals – It was a tough night for the Nationals’ bullpen on Tuesday, as Wander Suero and Daniel Hudson failed to protect a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning. Suero began the frame by allowing all three hitters he faced to reach base. Hudson then entered and made sure all three runs crossed the plate thanks to a sac fly and a three-run homer. Meanwhile, Hunter Strickland broke his nose in a weightlifting accident before the game. Dave Martinez insisted afterwards that Strickland was available and that he simply liked Suero in that spot.
Hierarchy remains: *Hudson | Strickland | Rodney.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — Lefty Jose Alvarez was the first Phillies reliever out of the ‘pen on Tuesday to face a pair of left-handed hitters to start the eighth inning. After retiring a pinch hitter and allowing a single, Mike Morin came in and recorded the final two outs of the frame. It was Morin’s seventh straight scoreless appearance; he also has three holds during that stretch. Alvarez meanwhile has allowed just two earned runs over his last 16.0 IP.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Morin | Alvarez.
Chicago Cubs – Craig Kimbrel earned his first save since returning from the IL, striking out a batter in a 1-2-3 ninth inning. This came after Rowan Wick completed a perfect eighth inning. In other good news, the Cubs activated Steve Cishek from the IL. We’ll see how quickly Cishek can get back into form before moving him into the hierarchy, but at least the Cubs have all their options heading into the final month of the season.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Wick | Strop.
Baltimore Orioles – Mychal Givens recorded his 10th save of the season Tuesday night, which means the Orioles now have the same amount of saves as the Red Sox (24). More exciting than that though was the 1-2-3 eighth-inning performance by rookie Hunter Harvey, who breezed through the frame thanks to plenty of 99-100 mph stuff. Harvey has been beleaguered by injuries but has now thrown two straight scoreless innings to open his big-league career. We won’t be surprised if Harvey gets a few more high-leverage innings down the stretch.
Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Armstrong | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks — The Diamondbacks called on rookie Kevin Ginkel to protect an 8-6 lead with a runner on in the eighth inning, and Ginkel did just that for his second hold in as many appearances. Ginkel has struck out 12, walked three and allowed just two earned runs in nine innings of work since joining the big-league club. He’s still behind Yoan Lopez and Andrew Chafin for save chances that don’t go to Archie Bradley, but Ginkel may be arm worth watching as the Diamondbacks fight to stay in the NL wild card race.
Hierarchy remains: *Bradley | Lopez | Chafin.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Yoan Lopez/Andrew Chafin – Archie Bradley has pitched in three straight and four of five. Lopez has tossed 12 pitches over two consecutive days of work, but the Diamondbacks can always elect to use Chafin in a matchup-based role in the ninth.
2. Ryan Pressly – Roberto Osuna has made three straight appearances.
3. Noe Ramirez – The Angels bullpen has been extremely busy lately. Hansel Robles and Cam Bedrosian have gone in two straight and three of four while Ty Buttrey has pitched in three consecutive contests. Noe Ramirez was one of the few guys to not pitch during yesterday’s doubleheader. Good luck.
4. Rafael Montero – Both Jose Leclerc (44 pitches) and Shawn Kelley (28 pitches) have gone in two straight, with Kelley having worked in three of the last four games.
5. Andres Munoz/Craig Stammen – As we mentioned yesterday, it’s conceivable that the Padres give Kirby Yates two days off after he threw 67 pitches over the last three nights.
Tomorrow
1. Shawn Armstrong – If Mychal Givens pitches tonight, that will be two straight and three of four.
2. Rowan Wick/Pedro Strop – Same goes for Craig Kimbrel.
3. Kyle Crick – Felipe Vazquez threw 16 pitches over 1.1 innings last night.
