Bullpen Report: August 7, 2018

• With Anthony Swarzak on the shelf, the Mets end of game situation has turned into a bit of a committee approach. Last night Bobby Wahl got the second out in the 7th and handed the ball off to Gsellman who finished the 7th and 8th innings. In the 9th, Jerry Blevins came in for the save, his first of the year. Gsellman looks like he’s being used as the relief ace with Wahl, Blevins and Seth Lugo lingering around for potential saves. Wahl has the stuff you would normally see in a closer but it doesn’t look like the Mets are going to turn over closing duties to him right away by any means. I’m keeping Gsellman ahead of the committee here but look for Lugo, Blevins and Wahl to get involved as well moving forward. If the Mets get enough leads over the next week, we will have a better idea which direction they might be leaning.

• We have been calling out Barraclough’s regression for quite some time and it looks like it has arrived in full. Barraclough gave up four baserunners last night in the 9th and the Marlins relieved him in the middle of the inning with Javy Guerra who held on for his first save. Guerra won’t be near saves but Drew Steckenrider certainly will be. This seat is red hot as Barraclough has allowed 12 runs in his last 6 appearances. Steckenrider hasn’t been perfect but he’s next in line with Adam Conley lingering as well, but the money is on Steckenrider if a change is made. Even with Barraclough’s struggles his 3.45 ERA is still below his 4.58 FIP and 4.15 SIERA. Regression has hit but his BABIP is still an insane .212. With not many save chances moving forward on the Marlins as is, using a guy like Barraclough now figures to hurt your team more than help, and that’s with the assumption he will hold onto the job which isn’t particularly strong at the moment. As for the Marlins making a change, Mattingly’s words after the game weren’t particularly promising. He was unable to make a change but it’s not typical for managers to make a change the night of a blown save, usually a new reliever is called up during the next opportunity and we can read between the lines. I don’t know which way he’s leaning but last night Mattingly said “It’s something you’re not going to sit here and make any kind of decisions quickly after a game. “We wouldn’t do anything without talking to everybody.” Barraclough could still see saves this year but I think Steckenrider or a committee might be used in the next opportunity.

• Roberto Osuna made his Astros debut last night, throwing a scoreless 8th inning and receiving the win as Will Smith blew the save for the Giants. Hector Rondon came in for the 9th and closed the game for his 12th save this year. It’s assumed that Osuna will work his way into the 9th inning in Houston, but we also assumed that Ken Giles, Chris Devenski, and Brad Peacock would be seeing saves before Hector Rondon this year so it’s not necessarily a sure thing. At this point it’s Rondon’s job to lose more than it is Osuna’s to gain. He might have a shorter leash than others who have been successful this year, but if Rondon keeps closing the door without a blip I would expect him to remain as closer which could be a great source of saves over the final several weeks.

• Pedro Strop struck out a pair in a perfect 9th for his 8th save of the year. Brandon Morrow is still on the DL with a biceps injury and the latest update is that he’s been throwing on flat ground. Morrow might be a few weeks away from returning not considering any setbacks and Strop figures to gobble up saves in the meantime. As of this writing I would bet Strop has more saves from here on out than Morrow.

• Quick Hits: Seranthony Domginguez blew his 3rd save of the year against the Diamondbacks. Dominguez will occasionally be used as a relief ace rather than a straight up closer, to the frustration of fantasy owners but he’s still the main option in Philly for saves. Edwin Diaz allowed two hits but struck out a pair in a scoreless inning for his 42nd (!!!) save of the year. There are always major fantasy surprises each year but Edwin Diaz providing top 10 overall value this year has to be one of the biggest. Wade Davis has had a few ups and downs but he was back in the 9th getting his 32nd save last night, striking out a pair in a perfect frame. Adam Ottavino is the best reliever in Colorado but they’re content with Davis in the 9th and using Otto all over the board.