August 30, 2023
Texas Rangers – With both Aroldis Chapman and Will Smith available, the Rangers went to Smith in the eighth inning to protect a 1-0 lead against the top of the Mets order. Smith needed just seven pitches to retire the side, leaving the final three outs for Chapman. The Rangers added an insurance run in the top of the ninth to make it a 2-0 game, which turned out to be huge as Chapman allowed a two-out homer that cut the lead to 2-1. Chapman rebounded by inducing a groundout to earn the save. There’s still a possibility that Smith gets another save chance or two, but Chapman appears to have the inside track based on what we’ve seen so far this week.
Hierarchy remains: *Chapman | Smith | Leclerc.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – The Angels placed a bunch of guys on waivers yesterday, including relievers Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore. We’ll wait to see where Lopez and Moore land, but it’s safe to say there should be a few contenders interested in their services.
Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Lopez | Moore.
Houston Astros – Ryan Pressly was unavailable in the Astros’ 6-2 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday because he was sick, but Dusty Baker hopes to have Pressly available today.
Hierarchy remains: Pressly | Abreu | Neris.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tommy Kahnle (NYY) – Clay Holmes has pitched in two straight.
2. Austin Cox (KC) – So has Carlos Hernandez.
3. Hector Neris (HOU) – If for some reason Ryan Pressly is still sick, Neris is the best bet to fill in on Wednesday as Bryan Abreu threw 25 pitches on Tuesday.
4. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) – JoJo Romero completed two innings of work yesterday.
5. Steven Wilson/Scott Barlow (SD) – Both Josh Hader and Robert Suarez have pitched in two straight.
Tomorrow:
1. AJ Minter/Kirby Yates (ATL) – If Raisel Iglesias pitches today that will be two straight. An appearance today for AJ Minter would be three in a row.
2. Hunter Harvey/Mason Thompson (WAS) – Each member of the Washington hierarchy threw over 20 pitches last night, so if any of them pitch today they will likely be down on Thursday.
