August 30, 2018
Cleveland Indians — It’s generally a bad thing when a reliever trends on Twitter, and Cody Allen was no exception on Wednesday night. The formerly dominant closer has struggled this season, no more so than the last 10 days, when he’s given up runs in four of five appearances (13.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP). Making matters even worse for the Indians is Andrew Miller’s return to the disabled list, this time with a shoulder impingement. Without Miller or a reliable Allen, the Tribe will likely turn to Adam Cimber and lefty Oliver Perez. At this point, the only thing keeping us from pulling Brad Hand’s asterisk is Terry Francona’s insistence that he will keep using Allen in high-leverage spots in preparation for the playoffs.
Updated hierarchy: *Hand | Allen | Cimber.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers elected to rest Kenley Jansen and give Wednesday’s save chance to Kenta Maeda. Maeda put three men on and allowed a run, but ultimately eked out his first save of the year.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Maeda | Alexander.
Minnesota Twins — Trevor Hildenberger picked up another save on Wednesday, with Trevor May and Taylor Rogers paving the way to the ninth. As a lefty, Rogers probably is second-most-likely to grab a save for the Twins at this point.
Updated hierarchy: *Hildenberger | Rogers | May.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — Sergio Romo had collected the last two saves since Jose Alvarado grabbed one last week, but Wednesday night, the Rays called on Alvarado again for a save of the four-out variety. The break, combined with Thursday’s off day, gives Romo at least six days of rest heading into September. You can never be sure what the Rays are thinking, though, so we’re going to pop the committee asterisk back on these guys.
Updated hierarchy: *Romo | Alvardo | Roe.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies bullpen continues to be unpredictable. Wednesday night, Victor Arano and Hector Neris split the sixth, Seranthony Dominguez earned the win in the seventh, and Pat Neshek and Luis Avilan tried and failed to get an out in the eighth. Naturally, this left Tommy Hunter to pitch two scoreless innings for his third save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: *Dominguez | Neshek | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Hector Rondon — Roberto Osuna has pitched in four of five (66 pitches).
2. Corbin Burnes — Jeremy Jeffress got a two-inning save on Wednesday and Josh Hader got knocked around in the fifth inning. Joakim Soria has pitched in three of four. There’s a chance Hader goes, but we’ll put our chips on longshot Burnes.
3. Jeanmar Gomez/Juan Minaya — Jace Fry and Xavier Cedeño have each gone in three of four.
4. Jared Hughes — Both Hughes and Raisel Iglesias have gone in two straight, but Iglesias has thrown far more pitches (48-19).
Friday:
None.