June 7, 2021
Detroit Tigers — As expected, Michael Fulmer hit the IL with a shoulder strain, leaving the ninth inning to a combination of Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero.
Updated hierarchy: *Soto | Cisnero | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals — Josh Staumont’s return saw him pitch the eighth with the Royals down a run, not exactly a low-leverage spot. We expect him to slide right back into his role as the top Kansas City reliever.
Updated hierarchy: *Staumont | Holland | Barlow.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox — Josh Taylor has become a powerful lefthanded weapon in the Boston bullpen, dominating over the last six weeks. Adam Ottavino and Darwinzon Hernandez seem pretty well-entrenched in this hierarchy, but between Taylor, Hirokazu Sawamura, and maybe even Brandon Workman, the Red Sox have a surfeit of good late-innings options. Phillips Valdez isn’t quite on the same level, but he did eke out a tenth-inning save Sunday night.
Hierarchy remains: Barnes | Ottavino | Hernandez.
Minnesota Twins — Tyler Rogers reminded us that this is still a committee, picking up his fifth save after Hansel Robles grabbed the last two.
Hierarchy remains: *Robles | Rogers | Duffey.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers — Josh Hader and Devin Williams have thrown a lot of pitches lately, so Brad Boxberger got the call for Sunday’s save.
Hierarchy remains: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Dylan Floro (MIA) — Yimi Garcia has pitched in two straight.
2. Hirokazu Sawamura/Darwinzon Hernandez (BOS) — Matt Barnes has gone in three straight and Adam Ottavino three of four. Hernandez threw 20 pitches Sunday, but Sawamura got the night off.
Tuesday:
1. Tejay Antone (CIN) — The Reds have Monday off, but Lucas Sims might get a second day of rest.
