Justin Martinez has filled in admirably as the Diamondbacks closer while Paul Sewald tries to get back to form, but as manager Torey Lovullo mentioned last week, their “best team has Paul Sewald as a closer on the back end. He knows how to do it. He’s done it at a really high level, and he’s throwing the ball better. So when he’s getting it right and doing it the way we want him to do it, he’s gonna take that back and he’s gonna be our closer, but we got to get him there.”
Now since making those comments, Sewald has allowed three earned runs on five hits over two innings, so perhaps that will earn Martinez some extra time as the teams closer. Martinez for his part has allowed runs in his last two outings as well, but the strikeout upside has been able to bail him out and limit the damage. I think for now, both relievers should be rostered, with Sewald being almost a necessary handcuff if he’s available and you roster Martinez.
Notes
- Camilo Doval returned to the Giants this past weekend, but he’s not expected to resume closer duties any time soon as Ryan Walker continues to be a dominant force at the end of games. Still, the team trusted Doval in a high leverage eighth inning hold situation in his first game back, and he came through. This situation is similar to Arizona’s, where if you roster Walker at the moment you may want to handcuff with Doval, although I can definitely see a situation where Walker is so good he just doesn’t give this job back to Doval for the remainder of the season.
- Michael Kopech allowed his first earned run (2 hits, 1 BB, 0 K) since July 7th this past weekend, as he worked the eighth inning before giving way to Evan Phillips to get a save chance in the ninth. Phillips allowed a home run to Junior Caminero which led to his third blown save on the year, so lets hope we see Kopech back in the ninth and Phillips in the eighth the next time a save situation arises, since that had been working well before. Still, just like the above situations, it might make sense to roster both Phillips and Kopech for the time being to see how things play out over the next week or so.
- Chad Green and Ben Joyce may not be difference makers as closers, but the pair have been solid over the past month and at least have solidified their status as their respective teams closers the rest of the season. Green doesn’t have the upside Joyce possesses but since the All-Star break Green holds a 1.08 ERA and 0.54 WHIP as well as eight saves, although it comes with just a 20.3% strikeout rate and 4.27 xFIP. Since Carlos Estévez was traded, Joyce holds a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 3.08 xFIP while posting a 26.2% strikeout rate, but it comes with just two saves so far (this should change).
- Speaking of Carlos Estévez, he continues to act as the Phillies’ closer although he too only has two saves since the trade and has not been as dominant as he was prior to the move. Over 8.2 innings this August, Estevez holds a 4.57 xFIP and 1.38 wHIP to go along with a 23.7% strikeout rate although it comes with poor 10.4% swinging-strike and 23.6% CSW rates. The velocity has been fine and is holding up, but the lack of a true secondary that can get swings and misses may be catching up to him. For these reasons, I’m still interested in Jeff Hoffman, even in save only leagues.
And if you want more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series
Watch List
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Evan Phillips | LAD | may be in some sort of committee with Kopech? |
| 2. | Paul Sewald | AZ | Lovullo wants Sewald as the closer |
| 3. | Camilo Doval | SF | back on the roster, but in a setup role for now |
| 4. | Jorge López | CHC | next man up behind Hodge with Neris out |
| 5. | Manuel Rodríguez | TB | could form a committee with Uceta and Poche |
| 6. | Craig Kimbrel | BAL | no set closer in Baltimore anymore, but Kimbrel isn’t back yet |
| 7. | Aroldis Chapman | PIT | Bednar is likely on the outs as closer |
| 8. | Jeff Hoffman | PHI | could still factor into some saves behind Estevez |
| 9. | Tyler Holton | DET | left handed compliment to Foley |
| 10. | Jesús Tinoco | MIA | Faucher is vulnerable as the closer here |
| Rank | Pitcher | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel ClaseT1 | - |
| 2 | Devin Williams | - |
| 3 | Josh Hader | - |
| 4 | Raisel IglesiasT2 | - |
| 5 | Kirby Yates | - |
| 6 | Edwin Díaz | - |
| 7 | Jhoan Duran | - |
| 8 | Andrés Muñoz | - |
| 9 | Ryan HelsleyT3 | - |
| 10 | Robert Suarez | - |
| 11 | Kenley Jansen | - |
| 12 | Clay Holmes | - |
| 13 | Mason Miller | - |
| 14 | Lucas ErcegT4 | +2 |
| 15 | Ryan Walker | - |
| 16 | Michael Kopech | -2 |
| 17 | Chad Green | +4 |
| 18 | Seranthony Domínguez | -1 |
| 19 | Ben Joyce | +3 |
| 20 | Carlos Estévez | -1 |
| 21 | Justin MartinezT5 | -1 |
| 22 | Edwin Uceta | +3 |
| 23 | Porter Hodge | +1 |
| 24 | Alexis Díaz | -6 |
| 25 | David Bednar | +1 |
| 26 | Kyle Finnegan | +1 |
| 27 | Calvin Faucher | -4 |
| 28 | Jason FoleyT6 | - |
| 29 | Tyler Kinley | +UR |
| 30 | Chad Kuhl | +UR |