September 2, 2022
New York Mets – Edwin Diaz, one day after this EPIC entrance, was anticlimactically called into Thursday’s game in the eighth inning to face the 3-4-5 hitters (Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and Max Muncy) with a three-run lead. The drama built, though, as it became the most pivotal moment of the contest. He walked Freeman and hit Smith with a pitch before allowing consecutive sacrifice flies to make it a two-run game. Diaz, who after the game said he didn’t have the feel he wanted for his slider, escaped the inning by throwing the hardest pitch of his career (102.8 mph) to strike out Gavin Lux. The sport’s best reliever this season, Diaz has appeared in the eighth inning five times in his past 13 appearances. Adam Ottavino has been used in the ninth in some of those instances, including Thursday, when he retired the side in order for his third save.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Ottavino | Lugo.
Boston Red Sox — Tanner Houck has been shut down as his back issues are cropping up again. Manager Alex Cora said Houck might not pitch again this season. It’ll be a bit messy moving forward for Boston, with a group that includes John Schreiber, Garret Whitlock and Matt Barnes in the mix for saves.
Hierarchy remains: *Whitlock | Schreiber | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Dillon Tate (BAL) – Felix Bautista has gone in two in a row.
2. Raisel Iglesias (LAA) – Kenley Jansen has also pitched in two straight.
3. Hunter Harvey (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan and Carl Edwards Jr. have each pitched in two straight. Harvey threw 32 pitches Thursday but is the most rested of the trio.
4. Seth Lugo (NYM) – Edwin Diaz and Adam Ottavino have gone in two in a row.
5. Jose Leclerc (TEX) – Jonathan Hernandez blew the game Thursday against Boston, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks (26 pitches). He might need Friday off. Matt Moore threw 26 pitches Thursday and has gone in two of three. Leclerc has also pitched two of three, but he’s the most-rested late-inning option.
Friday:
1. Domingo Acevedo (OAK) – A.J. Puk threw 27 pitches to record four outs Thursday and likely wouldn’t pitch Saturday if he goes again Friday.
2. John Schreiber (BOS) – A Friday outing would be two of three for Garrett Whitlock, and he might need Saturday off if it’s a multi-inning appearance.
