August 5, 2023
Kansas City Royals – The Royals are in the midst of a 7 game winning streak, and last night turned the 9th inning over to rookie Austin Cox. Cox shut the door for the first save of his career. Cox started his career on a 6 game scoreless streak before running into a rough patch in early July, but now has 2 holds and a save in the last week. Carlos Hernandez pitched the 7th, facing Philadelphia’s 2-3-4 hitters, which is just enough to hold the top spot in this committee, but Cox jumps to 1st in line with last night’s performance.
Updated hierarchy: *Hernandez | Cox | Coleman.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Enyel De Los Santos pitched the 7th inning of a 2 run game, earning his 10th hold on the year and helping to bridge the gap to Emmanuel Clase. De Los Santos has quietly been one of the best relievers in the Cleveland bullpen right now, running up 10 straight scoreless appearances. That’s enough to join the hierarchy for the Guardians, who will be scraping for every win they can in the battle for the AL Central.
Updated hierarchy: Clase | Stephan | De Los Santos.
Seattle Mariners – Andres Munoz needed a night off, and Justin Topa took the 7th inning of a tie game, so when the Mariners took the lead in the 8th it was Matt Brash who was left for the save chance. He converted for his second save of the year. Brash has an impressive 15.43 K/9 on the season, behind only Felix Bautista and Aroldis Chapman amongst pitchers with at least 10 innings. While Munoz is still the top arm to own in Seattle, this appearances is enough to bump Brash to 1st in line.
Updated hierarchy: Munoz | Brash | Topa.
Texas Rangers – Josh Sborz pitched the 7th inning of a 2 run game last night. Texas expanded their lead so it did not end up as a save situation, but Sborz now has 7th inning holds in his last 3 appearances, and looks to have jumped to 2nd in line for the Rangers.
Updated hierarchy: *Smith | Chapman | Sborz.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles – Bryan Baker was the odd man out when the Orioles acquired Jack Flaherty, and was optioned to AAA. He is likely to be back up in the majors when rosters expand, but look for Danny Coulombe to get more high leverage looks in the meantime.
Updated hierarchy: Bautista | Cano | Coulombe.
Vulture Save Watch:
- Lucas Sims (CIN) — Alexis Diaz threw 32 pitches last night, and may get today off.
- Griffin Jax (MIN) — Jhoan Duran has pitched in back to back and 3 of 4.
For Sunday:
- Mason Thompson (WAS) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Kyle Finnegan
- Bryan Abreu (HOU) — Same for Ryan Pressly
