Bullpen Report: August 4, 2018

We’re doing an evening edition of the Bullpen Report tonight, with the HOU/LA and TOR/SEA contests still playing at the time this article is being written. With that said, there were only a handful of save opportunities today, but some interesting topics nonetheless.

Corey Knebel entered the day having allowed runs in three of-his-last seven appearances, including three earned runs over his last four innings pitched overall. In tonight’s game against the Rockies, the Brewers elected to bring him out in the seventh inning of an 8-2 game. Milwaukee obviously wanted to give him an opportunity to pitch in a low-leverage situation, and he was successful. He posted a clean inning, getting first-pitch strikes to all three hitters he faced, notching a strikeout, and throwing 9-of-13 pitches for strikes. Last month Knebel had trouble getting ahead in counts (48% F-Strike, 56% career) and started getting less swinging-strikes (9%, 12% career) and strikeouts (9.0 K/9, 12.5 career). He’s now logged back-to-back scoreless outings with three strikeouts, no walks, and one hit allowed. His most recent appearances over the last week were in the ninth inning, and while the Brewers wanted to get him work in the seventh, they ended up having to deploy Josh Hader (more on that in a second) to secure the win. Knebel is still the leading candidate for saves as of right now, but with Jeremy Jeffress getting a save chance just a few days ago, Joakim Soria hanging around, and Josh Hader being……Josh Hader, there’s certainly a good amount of risk.

As for the actual game, Knebel turned in his scoreless frame, and then gave way to Jacob Barnes in the eighth. Barnes was promoted to the Brewers prior to today’s game and tallied a scoreless appearance. The ninth inning is where things got mildly interesting. Milwaukee started the inning still up 8-2 on the scoreboard – giving way to Matt Albers to end things. Unfortunately, Albers ran into a brick wall once again. After generating a ground-out to start the frame, he allowed a single, two-run home run, and a single before Craig Counsell removed him for Joakim Soria. Ian Desmond fouled off multiple pitches before lacing a double to give the Rockies men on second and third with one out in an 8-4 ballgame. Soria would walk the next hitter – Chris Iannetta – on five pitches before striking out pinch-hitter Tom Murphy on a fastball almost right down the middle. Despite getting the second out, Counsell decided to take no chances with the tying run at the plate (Charlie Blackmon), and decided to go with the league leader in wOBA against LHB (Josh Hader, .121). Hader secured his eighth save of the season after getting Blackmon to pop-out on four pitches. It’s Hader’s sixth-straight scoreless appearance since allowing two earned runs at the beginning of July. This situation will remain somewhat of a committee, but not enough of one for me to change the table quite yet. For what it’s worth, Matt Albers has now allowed 10 ER over 2.2 IP (four appearances) since returning from the disabled list on July 28th. It seems as if his shoulder injury might not be fully healed.

The White Sox closer situation – while not plentiful with save opportunities – is at least interesting. Jace Fry was supposed to be the leading candidate, but he’s worked the eighth inning in back-to-back outings, and wasn’t even warming up in the ninth inning when the White Sox were trying to close things out tonight. Last night it was Hector Santiago who nailed down the save, and tonight it ended up being minor league closer Thyago Vieira getting the call. Vieira posted a 5.05 ERA (3.88 xFIP) at Triple-A Charlotte this season, but it came with a big fastball and high strikeout totals (26.5% K). He was called up last week, and after allowing two runs in his debut, he’s started to settle down (2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 SV). Juan Minaya worked two-straight days coming into today, but it was only on 16 total pitches. He worked a clean seventh and grabbed two outs in the eighth inning – notching two strikeouts in the process. The White Sox brought in Xavier Cedeno to face the lefty Jake Bauers after he was off the day prior (three earned runs allowed over his last two appearances). He was successful, and then exited in favor of Vieira. Vieira struck out C.J. Cron on three pitches to start the inning, but his 5.27 BB/9 in the minor leagues started to rear its ugly head, leading to seven-of-his-next-nine pitches going for balls. Luckily for him, it only resulted in one baserunner, and it came with two outs. The White Sox decided to get Jeanmar Gomez and Luis Avilan ready in the bullpen despite the situation (one-run game, two outs), but they weren’t needed as Vieira would strikeout Willy Adames to end the game. Avilan has been the White Sox best reliever recently, as he’s sporting a 3.58 ERA for the year and has seven-straight scoreless appearances. However, Vieira acted as the closer for Triple-A Charlotte, and with the White Sox obviously building towards the future, they may be willing to give the youngster a decent shot. I added him to the chart – replacing the spot of Jace Fry – but make no mistake, this is a clear committee to the fullest. My advice is not to touch this situation, but if you’re desperate in a deeper format, Avilan and now Vieira seem to be the best bets as of now.

Quick Hits:
Both Ryan Madson and Kelvin Herrera logged scoreless innings today against the Reds after each of them gave up runs in their last outing against the Mets (Herrera earned the save). Herrera had to throw 29 pitches in his inning – allowing two base runners. He’s still the closer in Washington for now. Sean Doolittle still doesn’t have a concrete timetable for a return.

Pedro Strop converted his fourth-straight save and second in as many days against the Padres. It only took him 12 pitches and he notched two strikeouts. Steve Cishek and Brandon Kintzler both converted holds in front of Strop. Both had clean innings and Cishek struck out the side. Kintzler hasn’t allowed a run since being traded to the Cubs, albeit in a small sample.

Phil Maton logged his second scoreless appearance in three days, and third in-his-last-four overall. I’m taking him off the “Not Very Stable” category for now, but he’s not in line for save chances.

Craig Kimbrel allowed a run in a non-save situation against the Yankees – allowing four baserunners in all. He’s seven-for-eight in save chances over the last month with a 3.48 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Not spectacular, but he’s cemented in the role.

Dakota Hudson continues to shine in the Cardinals bullpen, as he spun three innings of no-hit ball, registering one strikeout against the Pirates. He’s now upped his scoreless streak six innings to start his MLB career. He has a 4/1 K:BB ratio with only one hit allowed. Bud Norris also tallied a scoreless appearance in a non-save situation on Saturday. For what its worth, it’s his second-straight outing that he hasn’t generated a strikeout.

Robert Gsellman only needed 11 pitches (10 strikes) to get through four Atlanta hitters in route to his sixth save of the season. Anthony Swarzak was used the day prior and had converted the last two save chances prior to today. He’s posted four-straight scoreless outings, versus Gsellman’s five of-the-last six. I’m changing the table to a committee, but Swarzak is still the preferred option for me if I’m picking between the two.

Addison Reed allowed a hit, but was able to secure his second-straight scoreless appearance since returning from the disabled list. It was not a high-leverage situation.

Paul Fry allowed a home run to Rougned Odor in the seventh inning of Saturday’s game and has now been scored upon in three of-his-last five appearances. Mychal Givens was called upon in a non-save situation in the eighth inning and generated two strikeouts with no hits allowed (8-of-13 pitches for strikes). He remains the leading candidate for saves in Baltimore.

The Rangers new closer – Jose LeClerc – converted his first save of the season against the Orioles. He didn’t allow a hit, struck out one, and threw 8-of-11 pitches for strikes. Corey Gearrin earned the hold behind him, but Chris Martin is still getting his bearings coming back from injury (pitched the day before). I prefer Martin in the scenario something happens to LeClerc.

Lou Trivino notched his 15th hold, and Blake Treinen grabbed his 28th save on Saturday against the Tigers. They combined for 2.2 IP of two-hit ball with three strikeouts and no walks.