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August 19, 2017
New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman was summoned in the eighth inning with the Yankees down by one. He did not pitch well, giving up two runs and effectively ending any chance for a comeback. This has been a brutal stretch for Chapman, who had an injury scare earlier this week, and has now given up runs in four straight games, which is bad, as Joel Sherman put it, “For himself. For the Yankees, For the present. For the future.” Joe Girardi wouldn’t say whether Chapman is still the closer, vowing to sleep on it. Dellin Betances picked up two saves while Chapman was ailing, and has given up only one hit in his last nine appearances. We’ll keep an eye on this situation, but if Chapman’s struggles continue, the Yankees won’t be able to afford to stick with him.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Robertson.
Los Angeles Angels — Cam Bedrosian looked like he could leave the committee behind earlier this week, but last night he was brought out to protect a two-run lead…in the sixth inning…against the bottom of the Orioles order. He pitched a clean inning, as did Blake Parker in the seventh. Yusmeiro Petit took the eighth and started the ninth, but when he put two men on, Keynan Middleton came out to try to convert the save. He gave up a single and then a walkoff grand slam (the third the Angels have given up this month!) to take the loss. The bullpen was well-rested, so these were managerial decisions; Mike Scioscia said after the game that he was trying to play matchups, an interesting decision given that anyone who bats in the sixth is all but guaranteed a later at bat (barring a pinch hitter of course, don’t @ me please). Bedrosian is still the best option for this team, although he won’t be pitching back-to-back. If you must own one Angel reliever, make it Bedrosian, and hope that Scioscia remembers the lineup turns over every three innings.
Hierarchy remains: *Bedrosian | Parker | Middleton.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Indians — All-Star reliever Andrew Miller was activated from the DL as expected on Friday, and immediately found himself putting out a fire in the sixth inning. He stranded two inherited runners for a successful return. Look for him to continue to get the highest-leverage spots for the Tribe going forward.
Updated hierarchy: Allen | Miller | Smith.
St. Louis Cardinals — St. Louis wanted to rest their top relievers last night, and Matt Bowman was primed to get a vulture save, but when the Pirates came storming back to load the bases, Mike Matheny turned to a very tired Seung Hwan Oh to get the last two outs of the ninth. We thought Tyler Lyons would get the vulture save chance, but Matheny seemed set on trying to rest both him and Oh. The committee got the job done last night, so look for it to continue with Tyler Lyons and John Brebbia carrying the late innings today. In other news, Trevor Rosenthal is seeking a second opinion on his elbow, which could require surgery.
Hierarchy remains: *Oh | Lyons | Brebbia.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox — The White Sox bullpen finally managed to pull out a save last night, and you can thank Juan Minaya for that. Earlier in the game, Aaron Bummer pitched out of a two-on, one out jam in arguably the highest-leverage spot. Although Bummer also had a runner score, he’s still a better option than Jake Petricka and his 9.00 ERA and 2.05 WHIP. If you’re desperate enough for saves to look at the second option in Chicago, we think it’s Bummer.
Updated hierarchy: *Minaya | Bummer | Petricka.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins — Drew Streckenrider picked up his third seventh-inning hold in a week (striking out the side!) and is a solid second in line for the Marlins.
Updated hierarchy: Ziegler | Barraclough | Steckenrider.
San Francisco Giants — Mark Melancon is considering arm surgery, but wants to finish the season out first to “set the tone.” With the second-worst record in the NL and $62 million in sunk costs, Giants fans would probably prefer Melancon sit down today.
Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Melancon | Strickland.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tyler Lyons — Seung Hwan Oh has now gone in three straight, while Lyons got the night off and should be ready to go today.
2. Michael Lorenzen — Raisel Iglesias has pitched back-to-back and in three of four, throwing 69 pitches in that span.
3. Jake Petricka — If you pick him up, you’ll probably regret it, but he’s the best rested reliever in the White Sox pen right now. Minaya and Bummer have each pitched in three of four.
Sunday:
1. Justin Wilson — A Wade Davis appearance today would be back-to-back and three of four.
2. Addison Reed — Same with Craig Kimbrel.
3. Chris Devenski/Luke Gregerson — And Ken Giles, who got five outs last night.
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