Emilio Pagán hasn’t been the same pitcher since the All-Star break, and while the overall 3.65 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over these 12.1 IP doesn’t seem terrible on paper, those ratio’s do come with a 5.29 xFIP (4.98 SIERA) and just 6% K-BB and 22.5% CSW rates. More recently, Pagan picked up blown saves on Saturday and Sunday this past weekend while Scott Barlow picked up a four out save Monday night with the trio of Pagan, Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft all out. I’m not sure a demotion for Pagan is imminent, but there’s definitely an argument to be made that Santillan deserves the 9th, with Ashcraft and Barlow getting the 7th/8th innings to give Pagan a bit of a break.
Notes
- Daniel Palencia missed the weekend due to an illness but he should be ready to return this week and should resume closing duties. He’s hit a little bit of a rough patch in August but the stuff remains in tact so hopefully with the extended time off he can get back on track.
- JoJo Romero has allowed 6 hits and 6 runs (3 ER) with a 3/3 K/BB ratio over his past four outings and it looks like this entire Cardinals bullpen could be in flux with no set closer. At this point, if you have to roster one, I’d still say Romero as he got the highest leverage work last night. I don’t have a ton of faith in him though, and wonder if one of the right handed options in that pen (Riley O’Brien, Kyle Leahy or Matt Svanson) turns into a more conventional closer eventually.
- The Rangers are facing similar issues in their bullpen as former Cardinal Phil Maton has struggled lately, allowing six earned runs on four hits and three walks (plus a HBP) over his five outings since recording his first save with his new team. I still prefer him over Robert Garcia, who currently holds a 10.50 ERA and 2.67 WHIP in August and while Shawn Armstrong has been consistent lately, I’m not sure he’s moving past Maton full time as closer yet.
- Alex Vesia allowed an earned run in four straight games before finally breaking the streak Sunday but with Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech all working their way back, the Vesia as fill in closer experience is likely coming to an end soon anyway.
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edwin DíazT1 | LAD | - |
| 2 | Aroldis Chapman | BOS | - |
| 3 | Trevor Megill | MIL | - |
| 4 | Jhoan Duran | PHI | - |
| 5 | Andrés Muñoz | SEA | - |
| 6 | David Bednar | NYY | - |
| 7 | Randy RodríguezT2 | SF | +1 |
| 8 | Cade Smith | NYY | +1 |
| 9 | Jeff Hoffman | TOR | +1 |
| 10 | Daniel Palencia | CHC | -3 |
| 11 | Raisel Iglesias | ATL | +1 |
| 12 | Bryan Abreu | HOU | +1 |
| 13 | Jose A. FerrerT3 | SEA | +1 |
| 14 | Pete Fairbanks | MIA | +3 |
| 15 | Kenley Jansen | DET | +3 |
| 16 | Robert Suarez | ATL | +3 |
| 17 | Carlos Estévez | KC | +3 |
| 18 | Dennis Santana | PIT | +3 |
| 19 | Emilio PagánT4 | CIN | -8 |
| 20 | Kyle Finnegan | DET | +2 |
| 21 | Will Vest | DET | +2 |
| 22 | Mason Miller | SD | +3 |
| 23 | Ronny Henriquez | MIA | +3 |
| 24 | Sean Newcomb | CWS | +6 |
| 25 | JoJo RomeroT5 | STL | -9 |
| 26 | Phil Maton | CHC | -11 |
| 27 | Justin Topa | MIN | +10 |
| 28 | Victor Vodnik | COL | +11 |
| 29 | Grant Taylor | CWS | - |
| 30 | Shawn Armstrong | CLE | +UR |
| 31 | Devin WilliamsT6 | NYM | -7 |
| 32 | Bennett Sousa | HOU | -5 |
| 33 | Tony Santillan | CIN | +UR |
| 34 | Riley O’Brien | STL | +2 |
| 35 | Robert Garcia | TEX | -7 |
| 36 | Alex Vesia | LAD | -5 |
| 37 | Calvin Faucher | MIA | -4 |
| 38 | Cole Henry | WSH | +UR |
| 39 | Blake Treinen | LAD | -7 |
| 40 | Keegan Akin | BAL | -6 |
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