July 8, 2021
New York Yankees — For years, a one-run lead in the ninth inning has produced a Pavlovian response in Yankees fans: Aroldis Chapman. But a month of increasingly harsh negative reinforcement has flipped the script, leaving them newly desperate to not see their $17.2 million closer in a tight spot (examples one, two, and three). Aaron Boone, a veteran of the Skinner box of the New York media, still wants it both ways, nodding to Chad Green’s recent ascendance while affirming Chapman as the long-term answer. We believe he’ll return to Chapman full-time after the All-Star break, but the ultimate result of this experiment is very much up in the air. But things could always be worse.
Hierarchy remains: *Chapman | Green | Loiasiga.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds — Although Brad Brach is consistently getting matchup-based high-leverage work, he’s not getting save chances in Cincinnati. Those are going most frequently — four opportunities in six days, with three converted — to Heath Hembree and his new slider. We’ll adjust accordingly.
Updated hierarchy: *Hembree | Brach | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates — The likelihood that Richard Rodriguez will be traded this month makes the Pirates’ setup job more important than you would otherwise expect — a possible stepping stone to an interim closer role. Heir apparent Kyle Crick is not making a strong case to take over, entering with a one-run lead in the sixth and giving up four runs on the road to an eventual 14-3 loss. David Bednar is probably a better handcuff here, with Chris Stratton also outperforming Crick of late.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Bednar | Crick.
Miami Marlins — Anthony Bender got a save opportunity on Wednesday, but three swinging strikeouts were scattered around a game-tying home run. Once the Marlins scored three in the bottom of the ninth off Edwin Uceta, though, Bender grabbed the win. Don Mattingly has admitted to preferring a one-man approach in the ninth inning, and another meltdown by Yimi Garcia could force him into making Bender that man. Hot diggity daffodil!
Hierarchy remains: Garcia | Bender | Floro.
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto, Detroit’s lone All-Star representative, showed his stuff on Wednesday with a two-inning save. The 26-year-old lefty will continue to split chances with Jose Cisnero in the Tigers’ bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: *Cisnero | Soto | Funkhouser.
* = closer-by-committee
Houston Astros — Joe Smith returned from the injured list on Wednesday and the Astros are hoping that the 37-year-old will step into the higher-leverage role they anticipated for him at season’s start. He will compete for the seventh inning with Brooks Raley and Blake Taylor.
Updated hierarchy: Pressly | Stanek | Smith.
Los Angeles Angels — Steve Cishek has locked down the seventh inning for the Angels ahead of Mike Mayers and Raisel Iglesias.
Updated hierarchy: Iglesias | Mayers | Cishek.
Washington Nationals — Daniel Hudson has been activated from the injured list and will immediately bolster Washington’s late-inning lineup.
Updated hierarchy: Hand | Voth | Hudson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brad Brach/Amir Garrett (CIN) — Heath Hembree could get Thursday off.
2. Seth Lugo (NYM) — Edwin Diaz has thrown 50 pitches in two outings over three days.
3. Noe Ramirez (ARI) — Joakim Soria has gone in two straight and three of four..
Friday:
1. Mike Mayers (LAA) — Even with Thursday’s off-day, Raisel Iglesias has still pitched a ton lately: five appearances over seven days.
2. Ryne Stanek (HOU) — A Ryan Pressly appearance would be three straight.
