August 6, 2023
Toronto Blue Jays – A day after Jordan Hicks picked up his first save as a Blue Jay, Toronto went back to Erik Swanson. Swanson gave up a run but benefited from the Red Sox getting doubled up off second base on a fly out to end the game. It appears to be a true committee while Jordan Romano is out but we will see if Hicks or Swanson can get a leg up.
Hierarchy remains: *Hicks | Swanson | Garcia.
*=closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers – Will Smith was a little shaky yesterday, giving up a two-run homer, but luckily he was staked with a three run lead and was able to close out the win for his 20th save of the season. Smith has three saves already in August and has five saves since Aroldis Chapman’s save on July 15th.
Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Chapman | Sborz.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox — Gregory Santos has been placed on the bereavement list. Aaron Bummer and Bryan Shaw combined to finish off the White Sox victory and should continue to fill in for Santos while he is out.
Hierarchy remains: *Santos | Bummer | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — For the second straight appearance, Alex Lange really struggled with his control. Lange walked the first two batters he faced but was able to get a double play from the next batter. However, after Lange walked Wander Franco, the Tigers pulled him and brought on Beau Brieske. Brieske retired the only batter he faced for his first save. If Lange’s control issues continue, we could see Jason Foley and Tyler Holton, who got the 8th inning hold last night, in the mix for saves.
Updated hierarchy: Lange | Foley | Holton
Oakland A’s — The A’s have activated Dany Jimenez from the IL and we expect him to work his way to the back end of their bullpen.
Updated hierarchy: May | Jimenez | Long.
Washington Nationals – Mason Thompson has been placed on the IL. Andres Machado should see more time in the later innings while Thompson is out.
Updated hierarchy: Finnegan | Weems | Machado.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Wandy Peralta (NYY) – Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle have both pitched in three of four while Michael King has pitched in two of three, throwing a total of 39 pitches.
2. Justin Topa (SEA) – Andres Munoz and Matt Brash have both pitched in three of four.
3. Andres Machado/Jose Ferrer (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan and Jordan Weems have both gone in two straight and three of four. Andres Machado has also pitched in two straight.
4. Colin Holderman (PIT) – David Bednar has pitched in two straight, including a blown save yesterday.
5. Bryan Shaw/Insert Reliever Here (CHW) – Gregory Santos is on the bereavement list while Aaron Bummer threw 33 pitches yesterday and Bryan Shaw has gone in two straight. If Bryan Shaw is unavailable, the White Sox will need to dig deep after trading most of their bullpen arms at the deadline.
Monday
1. Griffin Jax (MIN) – If Jhoan Duran pitches on Sunday, it will be three of four and four of six.
2. Aroldis Chapman/Josh Sborz (TEX) – If Will Smith pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four. Same for Aroldis Chapman.
