August 24, 2015
New York Mets – Hansel Robles pitched the ninth inning in a 4-run game on Sunday, which is more relevant than usual since Terry Collins was treating almost any lead as a save situation in the Mets’ first two games at Coors Field — Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia had both pitched in 5-run games on Friday and Saturday. Robles has earned the trust of Collins as of late, and going forward, look for him to share the 7th inning with Logan Verrett, who earned a prominent place in the bullpen after his masterful spot start yesterday.
Updated hierarchy: Familia | Clippard | Robles.
Oakland A’s – Our initial prognostications were accurate, as Bob Melvin said shortly after Sean Doolittle’s activation that he expects the lefty to win the closer job back. But Doolittle got off to a rocky start yesterday, as his first outing was a 7th-inning appearance that saw him give up a lead. We still think he’s the favorite to emerge from this committee, but other relievers could get save opportunities until he gains his footing.
Hierarchy remains: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Venditte.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa had a horrific outing on Sunday afternoon, allowing seven baserunners and four earned runs in a blown save against the Royals. The biggest thing Tazawa has going for him right now is a lack of competition, but even so, he’s allowed 9 earned runs in his last 8 innings pitched, and isn’t striking out hitters at anywhere close to the rate he was earlier this season. The committee is very much alive in Boston.
Hierarchy remains: Tazawa | Machi | Ogando.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals – Ned Yost wanted to give Greg Holland the day off on Sunday, so Wade Davis picked up his 11th save of the year after the Royals rallied against Junichi Tazawa. If there is even a single middle reliever owned in your league, it should be Davis.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.
Minnesota Twins – Tommy Milone picked up his first save of the season in a 12-inning game against the Orioles on Sunday. He does not factor in to the Twins usual late-inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May.
Seattle Mariners – The wholesale changes in the Mariners bullpen didn’t end with DFA’ing Fernando Rodney and demoting Danny Farquhar. They also seem to have removed Carson Smith from the closer role — he finished the 7th and then stayed on for the 8th inning tonight, leaving the 9th to Tom Wilhelmsen. Wilhelmsen closed for the Mariners in 2012 and 2013, and appears to be the stopper once again in Seattle going forward.
Updated hierarchy: Wilhelmsen | Smith | Olmos.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jean Machi/Alexi Ogando, Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa could get a night off to clear his head after his disastrous outing on Sunday.