When today is over, the final week begins! Be sure to get your saves – you never know which category is going to be the one you win (or lose) by one to decide a matchup. Save situations are a bit of a mess at this point, but they really have been all year. Find out who could get you a save or a win out of the pen for today and check back tomorrow to begin padding those stats in a new week.
Notes
- On the wins-side of things, Michael Lorenzen is starting today for the Reds. Yes, he went five full innings in his first start since 2018 last time out, but that was through only 76 pitches. There is no plan to stretch him out as a starter and if he only throws about 75 pitches again, there is no guarantee he goes 5 IP. Lucas Sims would likely follow. He has thrown multiple innings several times this season, including his last two outings, and is well-rested.
- Ben Braymer is going to start Game 2 of today’s double-header for the Nationals against the Marlins. He has only pitched in relief this season and done so twice. This is likely a bullpen game for the Nationals. What makes this one difficult is that typical long man Erick Fedde is firmly in the rotation. Ryne Harper has thrown two straight games and rarely goes more than 1 IP. Wil Crowe would be the answer, but he has been a disaster (14.04 ERA). I would avoid this one if possible.
- Adonis Medina will make his debut for the Phillies. Though this is not a traditional “opener”, more likely than not he will be pulled earlier than most SP, which provides a reliever with a chance for a win. JoJo Romero has pitched more than 1.0 IP in two of his last three outings and would be my best guess to follow Medina should Medina get an early hook.
- Finally, Kyle Cody gets the ball for the Rangers today and he has yet to throw more than 3 IP in any individual outing this year. They’re taking on the Angels. John King has followed Cody in each of his three starts and tossed multiple innings in each of them as well.
- Tommy Hunter earned a surprising save last night. He struck out two in one inning of work. Brandon Workman has been atrocious lately, so the Phillies bullpen is certainly one to monitor this final week. Hector Neris threw 25 pitches the day before, so it may have just been a perfect storm for Hunter to get the save chance. Nevertheless, he may be worth a final-week spot on your roster if you’re really desperate.
- Bryan Garcia earned a save last night, throwing 11 pitches, all for strikes, and striking out the side in the 9th. He’s now thrown 36 pitches over the last two days and figures to be unavailable. My guess is that Gregory Soto gets a shot at his 3rd save, should the situation call for it today.
- Yoshihisa Hirano earned the save last night for the Mariners, his second save in his last two appearances. Yohan Ramirez was presumably available, having not pitched since September 17. It wasn’t pretty for Hirano, as he allowed 3 hits and struck out none in just 1 IP, but he did manage to put the game on lock. It could just as easily be Ramirez who gets the call in the Mariners’ next opportunity, but Hirano is 3-for-3 in save chances since September started.
- Génesis Cabrera got the surprising save for the Cardinals yesterday while Ryan Helsley pitched the 7th inning and started the 8th inning. Andrew Miller is still the name worth owning here. He was presumably unavailable having pitched each of the two days prior. In Miller’s last two appearances, he’s thrown 2.0 IP with 0 H, 1 BB, and 4 K. If there is an opportunity today, I’d be surprised if he didn’t get it.
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)