It’s Sunday! For most head-to-head leagues, it is the final day of the first matchup of the season. Time to ensure that Matchup 1 victory by locking up the saves category.
First, notes from last night.
Notes
- The Nationals, Marlins, Phillies, Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Brewers have all been officially postponed, no saves to be had there.
- The Red Sox are using an opener on Sunday, Austin Brice. However, due to Monday’s day off, manager Ron Roenicke is most likely going to use a high number of pitchers as opposed to one pitcher who comes in after the opener and throws four or five innings. This will make it incredibly difficult to successfully try to vulture a win here, especially against the Yankees.
- No one on the Rays blew a save or earned a save last night. However, Oliver Drake got the loss. It was in extra innings, so there was a man on second to begin with and all he really did was give up a walk and a single. Nick Anderson and Diego Castillo masterfully locked down the 8th and 9th innings, though, so this situation continues to be one to monitor.
- David Hale got the low-leverage save for the Yankees last night. He pitched both the 8th and 9th innings. No change there, just a frustrating night for Britton owners.
- Jakob Junis is making his season debut due to a bout with COVID-19, but he supposedly has worked up his strength to a starter’s workload and after pitching six different pitchers last night, including long-man Kyle Zimmer who tossed three innings, the Royals may lean on Junis to go deep into his first outing. I doubt there is a chance to vulture much here.
- Daniel Norris is also making his debut due to COVID-19. He was supposed to have one more throwing session to build-up strength, but after Saturday’s postponement due to rain, Norris is being called upon to make a start. There is certainly an opportunity to vulture a win, as Norris should not be expected to go deep into this seven-inning game.
- Taylor Rogers has pitched the last two days in a row, and three of the last four. Each appearance has required very few pitches from Rogers (especially Friday’s where he got a save in just five pitches), so I wouldn’t be shocked if he got called upon again today. Otherwise, Sergio Romo may snag a second save here.
- You never want to hear that a pitcher had to leave a game because of discomfort in their throwing arm. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened to Roberto Osuna. He is set to undergo an MRI, so he definitely won’t be pitching today. Ryan Pressly is the logical replacement, though he left last night’s game due to a cut above his fingernail. Manager Dusty Baker didn’t seem concerned, though. This may be Pressly’s time to shine in a closer’s role.
- Hansel Robles has gotten lit up in three of his four outings so far this season and last night he got completely annihilated by the Astros, surrendering three hits and two home runs to blow the save. He threw 24 pitches. His most-likely replacement, Ty Buttrey, did not pitch last night though he has struggled quite a bit this season as well.
- Nick Goody did make an appearance last night, but it was for just four pitches. He should be fine for today.
- Change might be brewing in Chicago, where manager David Ross did not commit to Craig Kimbrel as his closer the other day, and last night Rowan Wick earned the two-out save. Wick only threw 13 pitches and Kimbrel did not make an appearance, so both should be available today.
- Trevor Gott was called upon for the 8th inning last night, but at that time it was a non-save situation. He only threw 14 pitches and should be good to go today.
Bullpen Depth Charts
Green = closer is available/long reliever expected to pitch after starter
Yellow = closer pitched previous day/LR has chance to pitch after starter
Red = closer has pitched back to back days and likely has the day off
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)