With the MLB in full-swing, some bullpen hierarchies are becoming a lot more clear, while others have fallen apart. While some managers may keep fantasy owners guessing, it is important to at least have an idea of who has a chance at a save and who is most likely not even going to appear in a game today. Don’t sleep on saves! In a shortened season, they all count that much more.
First, notes from last night and thoughts on today’s games:
Notes
- Cardinals and Tigers won’t be playing today, so their bullpens will get some rest as well. The Yankees and Phillies game has also been postponed due to weather, so their bullpens will rest up for their double header on Wednesday.
- Rowan Wick locked down his second save of the year for the Cubs, throwing 20 pitches through 1.1 innings. That should solidify his standing in the hierarchy.
- Two days, two saves for Zack Britton. Aroldis Chapman is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in Scranton. His exact date to return to the Yankees’ bullpen has yet to be set.
- Jairo Diaz recorded a bumpy save in Colorado. allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits. Carlos Estevez let up one hit pitching the eighth inning. Diaz is the guy right now, but Estevez is right behind him.
- After being held back during a rain delay on Sunday, Nick Burdi was sent out in the ninth to hold a 4-4 tie for the Pirates; he recorded just one out as Nelson Cruz hit a walk off single after Burdi allowed two base runners on a hit and a walk. Meanwhile, closer Taylor Rogers was credited with the win for the Twins after allowing just one hit in his half of the ninth inning. That’s three of the last four games for Rogers, so look for Sergio Romo to get a vulture save on Tuesday if given the chance.
- Raisel Iglesias pitched a clean ninth to record his first save of the season. After throwing 19 pitches on Sunday and 14 on Monday, expect Iglesias to get Tuesday off. Amir Garrett may get an opportunity on Tuesday if needed with both Michael Lorenzen and Nate Jones pitching Monday.
- Coming in with a two-run lead in the ninth, Kirby Yates gave up a lead off home run to Cody Bellinger and followed that up with three straight strikeouts to end the threat and the game, collecting his first save on the year.
- Alex Colome pushes through the ninth for his second save. He needed 18 pitches to get through the inning and hadn’t pitched since Friday previously, so I’d expect him to be available Tuesday if needed.
- Justin Dunn is slated to start for Seattle on Tuesday. He only made it through three innings his last time out (7/29). With a majority of the Seattle long relievers getting work the past two days, Nick Margevicius may be the first arm out of the pen to relieve Dunn and vulture a win.
- Dustin May didn’t make it through the fourth inning in his last outing and is scheduled to start on Tuesday for the Dodgers. Dennis Santana picked up the win after May’s last start and could get another shot in this one.
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)