August 13, 2018
Los Angeles Dodgers – With Alex Wood and Hyun-Jin Ryu ready to return to the rotation, Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling are headed for the bullpen. They are both having perfectly fine seasons, so this isn’t really viewed as a demotion for either of them, and Dave Roberts now has some intriguing options for the late innings. Maeda is viewed as more likely to enter into the mix for saves, as the Dodgers hope that Stripling will eventually return to the rotation. But in the short term, Maeda will probably be slotted for long relief, as the Dodgers are assuming that Ryu’s first start off the DL on Wednesday will be a short one. However, we’ll still slot Maeda in behind Scott Alexander and see how the next week or so plays out.
Updated hierarchy: *Alexander | Maeda | Stripling.
* = closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Ken Giles had allowed 7 ERs in his first 3.2 IP with Toronto, but yesterday’s outing was a step in the right direction, as Giles threw a perfect inning and recorded his first save. If he can string a few saves together, he might win the job outright.
Hierarchy remains: *Giles | Tepera | Clippard.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Seth Lugo allowed a couple of hits in the 9th inning, but held on to pick up his first save of the season. Robert Gsellman got the 8th inning, and one of these two should be in line for almost all of the Mets’ save opportunities down the stretch. We still think Gsellman will get the ball a little more often, but if Mickey Callaway deploys them in this fashion again, we’ll consider swapping them in the hierarchy.
Hierarchy remains: *Gsellman | Lugo | Blevins.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen picked up a 1-out save on Sunday after Adam Cimber and Dan Otero let the game get a little too close for comfort. Brad Hand, coming off a 29-pitch outing on Saturday, was given the day off.
Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Allen | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals — After hitting two guys and giving up a two-out, two-strike, walk-off, pinch-hit grand slam, Ryan Madson helpfully revealed that he has been suffering from “shooting” pain in his back and leg, limiting his repertoire to fastballs. Even if Madson avoids the DL, we have a hard time imagining a scenario where he gets the next save opportunity — so we expect a committee starring Koda Glover and Justin Miller, with Greg Holland also lurking. Sean Doolittle, possibly throwing off a mound on Monday, can’t get back soon enough for the Nats.
Updated hierarchy: *Glover | Miller | Holland.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Alex Colome – Edwin Diaz has pitched in four straight.
2. Brad Brach/Adam Conley – The Marlins and Braves play a doubleheader today.
Tomorrow
1. Alex Colome – Edwin Diaz has pitched in four straight, which often warrants two days off.
2. Tony Watson – If Will Smith goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
3. Joe Jimenez – If Shane Greene goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
4. Brad Brach/Adam Conley – The Marlins and Braves play a doubleheader today. If either closer goes in both games, they’ll probably be off tomorrow.