[closing_time list_id=”24460″ season=”2018″ include_stats=”1″]
- What a mess this has become. We’re down to about 10-12 closers now who aren’t in some type of committee and/or you can trust on a weekly basis. We’ve lost two of the better situations this season in Kenley Jansen and prior to that Sean Doolittle/Kelvin Herrera, and now both teams are left with questionable relievers in the 8th/9th innings of games. The Dodgers are forced to turn to Scott Alexander to close for the time being, and while he’s been awesome for the most part this season, has struggled as of late and may already be on his way out of the closer’s role after falling apart last night. That leaves Dylan Floro or Kenta Maeda of all people as his possible replacement. Maeda is probably the only one worth a roster spot at this point.
- The Nationals bullpen is in shambles after Ryan Madson, filling in for the injured Kelvin Herrera who was filling in for the injured Sean Doolittle imploded in impeccable fashion on Sunday night baseball, allowing a walk-off grand slam to David Bote. After the game, Madson went on to explain how his back has been aggravating him which now leads us to speculate that Koda Glover will once again see some save chances. While he arguably has above average to plus stuff, it hasn’t translated to the MLB level yet, as he really struggles to get swings and misses and just last night gave up a walk-off HR to the only batter he faced. Maybe Justin Miller (who has also been bad lately) is next in line here, but either way its probably a situation to avoid until Herrera or Doolittle return.
- Fernando Rodney was traded to Oakland last week where he will work in a setup role along with Lou Trivino and Jeurys Familia, forming one of the best bullpens in baseball. In Minnesota, Trevor Hildenberger figures to see the bulk of the save chances despite being in the midst of a shaky season, but Taylor Rogers and Addison Reed (if ever healthy) could mix in as well.
- Edwin Diaz led the week in saves with 4 and continues to just add on to what has been one of the most dominant seasons by a closer in recent memory. At least I finally got one of my bold predictions from 2017 right…