Relievers To Stream for Wins and Saves – 9/8

With the MLB season in its final stretch run, some bullpen hierarchies have stayed steady, while others have become more and more muddled. Though 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.

Notes

• Carlos Martinez is set to make his return to the Cardinals’ rotation, scheduled to start the first game of their double header against the Twins. With an expected pitch count in the 50s, Martinez is likely not to make it through five innings. Look for Ryan Helsley to come in to relieve Martinez, as he did for Austin Gomber during the Cardinals second game of their double header on Saturday.
• Well, I was wrong about Brad Hand. Pitching two days in a row won’t stop him from getting the ball for the third straight day. He put up his 12th save of the season on Monday, striking out the side in a perfect ninth. Both Nick Wittgren and James Karinchak are fully rested and one of them should get the ball in the ninth if a save opportunity presents itself on Tuesday.

• Daniel Hudson came in the ninth inning with two outs and bases loaded and needed just four pitches to strike out Randy Arozarena to end the game and record his eighth save on the season. It was a rare save with his team winning by five runs, but he earned it after cleaning up the mess left by Will Harris.
• Yohan Ramirez recorded his third save on the season, and second in the last three days. This one came about after Aaron Fletcher allowed a run and left the bases loaded after recording just one out in the ninth inning. With the Mariners now leading by five, Ramirez was tasked with cleaning up the mess. After allowing a sacrifice fly and an additional walk, Ramirez got Elvis Andrus to pop out to end the threat and record the save. I still expect Yoshihisa Hirano to get the next save chance in Seattle, but Ramirez continues to be used in high leverage situations and should be closely watched, especially going into next season.

• Taylor Rogers struck out the side in the ninth to close out a 6-2 victory for the Twins on Monday. This wasn’t a save situation for Rogers, but he hadn’t pitched since Friday so this was as good a spot to get him some work as any.
• Brandon Kintzler pitched himself into a win on Monday, as he allowed a lead off home run to Adam Duvall to tie the game at four. In extra innings, A.J. Minter allowed a run to score, setting up a save situation for Nick Vincent, which he converted in a perfect 10th inning on just six pitches for his third save of the season. This was Kintzler’s second blown save in as many days, but could simply be a result of overuse, as this was also his third straight day on the mound for Miami. Look for rested Brad Boxberger to get the ball if a save situation arises on Tuesday.

• Even after allowing the inherited runner on second base to score, Hector Neris recorded an extra-inning save for the Phillies, leaving Brandon Workman with the win after pitching an uneventful ninth inning to preserve the tie. On the other side, Edwin Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning of his own, but was not as lucky to leave with a decision after Miguel Castro let up the two runs that would ultimately net him the loss.
• As expected, Sam Coonrod got the save opportunity for the Giants on Tuesday, after both Tony Watson and Tyler Rogers had both pitched in the previous two games. Coonrod pitched one and a third innings, giving up a run on one hit and striking out one, converting his second save of the year in the process.

• The Padres walked off the Rockies on Monday, leaving Drew Pomeranz with his first win of the year, who pitched a one-hit top of the ninth. Mychel Givens threw a one-walk, two-strikeout eighth for the Rockies, setting up Carlos Estévez to come in the ninth with Daniel Bard having thrown 45 pitches in the previous two days. Estévez couldn’t record an out before allowing the walk off double to Jurickson Profar. Bard should be available on Tuesday.
• The Astros sent Blake Taylor to the IL, leaving the Houston bullpen that much more depleted. Andre Scrubb, Brad Peacock, and Enoli Paredes should start seeing higher leverage situations behind closer Ryan Pressly with Cy Sneed struggling on Monday to the tune of two walks, three hits, and three runs.