Rowan Wick led all relievers this past week with three saves (tied with Liam Hendriks), with those three saves being the most on the team since the trade of Craig Kimbrel. He also struck out eight batters this past week, so why didn’t I move him further up the list? I like what Wick has done since returning from the IL but these next two weeks won’t be easy for this Cubs team, as they finish up their series with the Reds before welcoming the Giants. Next week they go on the road to face the Phillies and Brewers. Those are not the matchups you are looking for from a fringe reliever as playoffs start in most leagues.

 

Notes

 

• Ian Kennedy’s transition to the Philly bullpen has been anything but smooth, but the veteran is coming off a strong week and remains the closer for a team that has the easiest strength of schedule remaining in all of baseball. The Phillies have two games left with the Brewers and three with Braves, but they also get series with the Orioles, Pirates, Marlins, Cubs, and the Rockies the rest of the way.
• Gregory Soto has mostly shed the co-closer title over the past month, picking up five saves to Michael Fulmer’s two, and should continue seeing most of the save opportunities. Soto hasn’t allowed a run in his last 9.2 innings of work, but the remaining schedule is not ideal for Soto or this Tigers team as they have two series each with the Rays and White Sox.

 

• Giovanny Gallegos looked like he was on his way to securing the Cardinal’s closer role before Sunday’s meltdown, allowing four earned runs in the ninth inning. Alex Reyes served up the game-winning grand slam in that one following Gallegos, so he didn’t do anything to retake his job either. Perhaps Luis García gets a chance to close out games as he’s been lights out since his July call-up.
• After picking up three saves in three consecutive outings, Adam Ottavino has entered two games in the seventh inning and blown one save in the ninth. At this point Garrett Whitlock looks more likely to be the team’s closer, however, neither one has pitched well to start September. Matt Barnes is eligible to return this weekend and could wind up sliding right back into the role he was removed from back in August.

 

Rank	Pitcher	Team	Change
1	Josh HaderT1	HOU	-
2	Liam Hendriks		-
3	Ryan Pressly		-
4	Raisel Iglesias	ATL	-
5	Edwin Díaz T2	LAD	-
6	Kenley Jansen	DET	-
7	Aroldis Chapman	BOS	+2
8	Emmanuel Clase	CLE	-1
9	Jordan Romano	LAA	-1
10	Will Smith		-
11	Jake McGee		-
12	Mark Melancon		-
13	Paul Sewald T3	ARI	-
14	David Bednar	NYY	+2
15	Scott Barlow	ATH	-
16	Ian Kennedy		+6
17	Gregory Soto	PIT	+3
18	Giovanny Gallegos	LAD	-4
19	Joe Barlow	TEX	-2
20	Andrew Kittredge	BAL	+1
21	Andrew Chafin T4	CIN	-2
22	Mychal Givens		+1
23	Kyle Finnegan	DET	+1
24	Dylan Floro		+2
25	Adam Ottavino		-7
26	Alex Colomé		-1
27	Carlos Estévez	KC	+1
28	Rowan Wick	SF	+1
29	Tyler Clippard		-2
30	Cole Sulser	TB	-

 

 

Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)