These last two weeks have been a bumpy ride in many bullpens. We’ve had COVID issues, regular old injuries and wear down, and some long-awaited blow-ups. We’re into the final month of the slog that has been a return to 162 games. If you’ve made it this far you probably feel like a bomber returning from The Battle Of Berlin with more than a few holes. There are likely to be continued opportunities for new faces in the saves chase every day. Straighten up and fly right!
- The A’s pen is getting messy. Lou Trivino has hit a wall and the team has gone full-blown committee with Trivino on the outside looking in. *IF* he were to get healthy they might restore him. With a back issue and sand running through the hourglass on the season, it’s not a great bet. The gulf between him and the effective pitchers in the committee widens each day.
- The Red Sox have mainly turned to Adam Ottavino in Matt Barnes stead (COIVD-IL). Ottavino seems to be in a groove, converting three straight chances. Garrett Richards zombie also managed to pick up the save last night with the team opting for the fresher arm. This all adds up to Barnes continuing down the path to a fireman role that he’s excelled in previously.
- Alex Reyes has finally had the wheels come off. Cue IL stint in 3…2…1… Giovany Gallegos finally earned some well-deserved saves this week. I am keeping an eye peeled for Genesis Cabrera to get a look in the ninth. For whatever reason, the Cards love GG in the setup role.
- The Cubs have become a weekly feature with new arms joining the closer committee all the time. Adbert Alzolay was of the four-inning variety but the team would love to find leverage arms. He could easily pitch his way into the confounding equation for the Chicago ninth.
- Kevin Cash must have a bet with someone on how many different relievers he can get to pick up a save for the Rays.
$12 $16 Salads
You know that restaurant your girlfriend/wife/what-have-you likes to go to that charges, like, $12 for a salad? Every time you go there, you have a thoroughly solid meal. No complaints, except you just paid $12 for a salad when you could’ve went to McDonald’s and stuffed you and your woman for ten schmools and had $2 in quarters left over to make the hotel bed vibrate. These closers are $12 salads.
Ryan Pressly (Kendall Graveman)
Raisel Iglesias (Steve Cishek)
Will Smith (Richard Rodriguez)
Emmanuel Clase (Nick Wittgren)
Donkeycorns
Imagine you’re following a donkey, who’s wearing a wool cap, through a desert for 1700 miles. Why are you following a donkey? Because he promises you something wonderful and you just need to trust him. Does the donkey talk? Yes. Yes, he does talk. So when you and the donkey in the wool cap arrive at his destination, he removes the wool cap to reveal a horn. The donkey is a unicorn and his gift to you for your trust is saves. These closers are Donkeycorns.
Aroldis Chapman (Chad Green, Jonathan Loaisiga)
Adam Ottavino (Garrett Whitlock, COVID-IL: Matt Barnes)
Employed
These guys are the men that make the save market go round. They punch in, punch out. Have the job, no real threat to speak of, and are basically just there to collect great benny’s so they can take care of their crippled brother. Who is only really crippled because he is scared of the sun.
Scott Barlow (Jake Brentz, Josh Staumont)
Gregory Soto (Jose Cisnero/Michael Fulmer)
Tyler Clippard (Taylor Clarke)
Brain Freezes
I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples, bananas and Carlos Marmol– Wait, he just gave up 12 earned runs and hit Castro in the head with a pick-off throw. Brain freeze! Make it stop! Use the following closers at your own risk.
Andres Machado/Ryne Harper/Austin Voth
Andrew Kittredge/Peter Fairbanks/Collin McHugh
Andrew Chafin/Lou Trivino/Jake Diekman/Sergio Romo
Mychal Givens/Amir Garrett/Michael Lorenzen
Manuel Rodriguez/Codi Heuer/Rowan Wick