September 29, 2022
Los Angeles Dodgers — Tommy Kahnle threw his hat into the Dodgers’ closer committee ring, grabbing a tenth-inning save and allowing LA to join the Yankees with 12 pitchers with saves entering the final week of the season. Kahnle’s last save was with New York in August 2018, but both he and the freshly returned David Price could have important bullpen roles to play this postseason for Los Angeles.
Updated hierarchy: *Phillips | Vesia | Kahnle.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs — For the second straight game, Manuel Rodriguez relieved Brandon Hughes in the ninth inning and retired J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm to pick up a Cubs save. Rodriguez and Hughes should probably be considered co-closers at this point, with matchups determining who gets used when.
Updated hierarchy: *Hughes | Rodriguez | Leiter Jr.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Zack Britton made his second appearance back from Tommy John surgery and again struggled with control. So far this season, Britton has faced eight batters and walked five of them. A brighter spot for the Yankees (aside from, you know, the 61 thing) was Aroldis Chapman hitting 101 and striking out two Blue Jays in a clean ninth. An effective Chapman in any bullpen role would be a huge bonus heading into the playoffs.
Hierarchy remains: *Holmes | Effross | Loaisiga.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks — Reyes Moronta got through a rocky ninth with the score tied, leaving Mark Melancon to come on and pick up the 10th-inning save once Arizona took the lead.
Updated hierarchy: *Moronta | Melancon | Mantiply.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes got the call on the second straight day of work and closed out a 3-1 win over Baltimore.
Hierarchy remains: *Schreiber | Barnes | Strahm.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates — Resting David Bednar as we expected, the Pirates gave Chase de Jong a chance to close out a game with a three-run lead, but he gave up two home runs. De Jong looks to still be fourth in the Pirates’ pecking order.
Hierarchy remains: Bednar | Crowe | Underwood.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Shawn Armstrong/J.T. Chargois (TB) — All the members of the Rays hierarchy have gone back-to-back. Armstrong is the best-rested reliever, while Chargois is the team’s only high-leverage arm without a save this year. (Note that he has zero career saves, so maybe he’s not such a great bet here.)
2. Trevor Stephan (CLE) — Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak have gone in two straight, and the Guardians are locked into the three seed in the playoffs.
3. Ryan Tepera/Jose Quijada (LAA) — Jimmy Herget has the front seat in this committee, but he is likely to get some rest Thursday.
4. Tanner Scott (MIA) — Dylan Floro has gone in two straight and four of six.
5. Manuel Rodriguez (CHC) — Brandon Hughes has gone in three of four. Although Rodriguez has pitched back-to-back, he’s needed only a total of seven pitches.
6. Alex Vesia (LAD) — Both Evan Phillips and Tommy Kahnle have pitched in two consecutive games.
7. Robert Suarez/Pierce Johnson (SD) — Josh Hader, Nick Martinez, and Luis Garcia each got heavy work the last two days. Suarez threw 32 pitches on Tuesday, so if the Padres go off the board, they could do worse than Johnson, who’s been solid for years and has a 35.4 K% this season.
Friday:
1. Andrew Chafin (DET) — An appearance Thursday would be two straight and four in seven for Gregory Soto.
2. Jonathan Hernandez (TEX) — Jose Leclerc threw 29 pitches on Tuesday and probably won’t go on three of four.
3. Taylor Rogers/Matt Bush (MIL) — If Devin Williams pitches on Thursday, he won’t go in three straight.
4. Scott Alexander (SF) — Camilo Doval might get Friday off if he goes tonight.
