September 1, 2023
Cleveland Guardians – Cleveland is six games under .500, but in the pitiful AL Central that puts them only five games back of the division-leading Twins at the start of September. With that in mind, the Guardians made some big moves Thursday, claiming pitchers Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore and Reynaldo Lopez off waivers from the Angels. For our purposes, Moore and Lopez are interesting additions to the bullpen. We think Moore fits into the hierarchy right away, but expect some shuffling of the many viable options behind Emmanuel Clase.
Updated hierarchy: Clase | Stephan | Moore.
Los Angeles Angels – The Angels lost two hierarchy members Thursday when Cleveland landed both Matt Moore and Reynaldo Lopez. We’ll slot in Jose Soriano, who had four holds in August, and Aaron Loup, who has an ERA above 5.00 on the season but had a pair of holds in August.
Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Soriano | Loup.
Detroit Tigers — Just when it seems like he pulls us back in, Alex Lange burns us once again. On Thursday, Lange was protecting a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning when he yielded a game-tying, three-run shot to blow the save. Lange, who had been on a run of seven straight scoreless outings before Thursday, is still likely the Tigers closer moving forward, but we’ll see how he trends over the final few weeks.
Hierarchy remains: *Lange | Foley | Brieske.
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres — Robert Suarez has dropped his appeal of a 10-game suspension issued over foreign-substance use on the mound. Suarez began serving it Thursday. For the time being, expect Nick Martinez to gather some late-inning holds when the Padres have a slim lead.
Updated hierarchy: Hader | Barlow | Martinez.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Kirby Yates (ATL) – Raisel Iglesias has gone in three straight, while A.J. Minter has pitched in three of four.
2. Tommy Kahnle (NYY) – Clay Holmes has gone in three of four.
3. Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC) – The Cubs play a doubleheader Friday…
4. Lucas Sims (CIN) – … against the Reds.
Saturday:
1. Scott Barlow (SD) – If he goes Friday, that would be four of five for Josh Hader.
