Luis García had been my initial projected closer for the Padres following Josh Hader being removed from the role, but the team has decided to go with Nick Martinez in the role instead, and deservingly so. While Hader was able to close out yesterday’s game with Martinez off, I don’t think that means the team is ready to throw Hader back into the role again quite yet. For García’s part, he’s been great over his last 14.2 IP with a 2.45 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 17 K’s to go along with 9 SV+HLDs.
Notes
- Rafael Montero is looking like the favorite for saves in Houston with Ryan Pressly out, although Héctor Neris also picked up a save this past week. Pressly isn’t expected to miss much time, although the Astros could err on the side of caution and give him a few weeks off to get ready for a long playoff run after winning the AL West and securing a first-round bye.
- After looking like the “favorite for saves” in Tampa Bay at one point this season, Colin Poche has just 9 SV+HLD’s over the past two months as that bullpen gets healthy and other relievers have passed him on the depth chart. Poche is a fine reliever, but not someone that needs to be rostered if he is only averaging one SV+HLD a week.
- Kirby Yates‘ return to the mound has been a bit of a roller coaster, and with all the depth in the Atlanta bullpen, there really doesn’t seem to be a need to force him into a setup role right now. In fact, I think looking at where he is at right now, he probably gets left off the postseason roster as long as the rest of the bullpen is healthy.
- Cionel Pérez may not have the greatest Statcast metrics, but he has been a steady reliever to roster in leagues that count holds as he’s been able to defy his 3.68 xFIP and keep his ERA at 1.54 while striking out a batter an inning and picking up 11 SV+HLD’s over the past two months.
Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)