May 30, 2015
Arizona Diamondbacks — After Daniel Hudson and Oliver Perez contrived to load the bases with one out in a tied seventh inning, it was Addison Reed who escaped the jam, inducing a foul pop and a strikeout. Although Brad Ziegler came on to get the eventual save in the ninth, after the game, Chip Hale expressed renewed confidence in Reed, suggesting to us that his next late/close chance will be an audition for his old job.
Updated hierarchy: *Reed | Ziegler | Hudson.
San Francisco Giants — Hunter Strickland has been back in the majors for only a week — in his first two outings, he allowed only one hit while striking out six in 4.1 innings, enticing Mike Krukow to call him “a different cat right now.” Encouraged by these performances, Bruce Bochy has started using the White Panther in even tighter spots, including last night’s one-run eighth inning. Strickland can’t possibly maintain his current 0.16 WHIP and 13-game scoreless streak to start his regular-season career, but as long as the Giants can stay out of the playoffs for a few months, he could play a vital role for San Francisco going forward.
Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.
Miami Marlins — Sam Dyson has been getting a lot of high-leverage looks for the Marlins under new manager (and record-breaking Jeopardy! champion) Dan Jennings. Dyson’s three-run meltdown on Wednesday didn’t discourage the skipper from calling on him in a tight spot on Friday and, unlike his own namesake, Dyson did not suck, not even a tiny bit. Up to now, Dyson was probably best-known for having his jaw broken by Chris Hatcher in a 2014 Nashville bar fight.
Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Dunn | Dyson.
Minnesota Twins – Casey Fien returned from the disabled list and immediately pitched the eighth inning in a tie game. Paul Molitor explained, however, that Blaine Boyer will remain in the primary setup role for now.
Updated hierarchy: Perkins | Boyer | Fien.
Cincinnati Reds — Jumbo Diaz has apparently relocated his magic feather, striking out 7 of the 14 batters he has faced in four late-inning appearances this week. We think Diaz’s usage has edged him back ahead of J.J. Hoover in the Reds’ pen.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Cingrani | Diaz.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, San Diego Padres — Craig Kimbrel has pitched on four of the last five days.
2. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla has pitched in three of four.
3. Zach Duke/Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox — The White Sox hierarchy has gotten heavy use lately, including three games in four days for David Robertson.
