Bullpen Report: July 14, 2018

During a freaky Friday the 13th, handcuffs to the closer emerged as focal points of interest with three different relievers garnering saves last night. Starting in Pittsburgh, where Felipe Vazquez had worked in five of the previous six game, Kyle Crick notched his second save of the season allowing two hits in 1.1 innings with a strikeout. He’s in the midst of a 13 game scoreless streak dating back to June 15th limiting hitters to a .167 batting average against within it. Crick’s also recorded seven holds and two saves without a blown save. As for Vazquez, a well earned day of rest but he’s converted his last 11 save chances in 13 straight scoreless outings as well with a 1.02 ERA his last 17 games and 32 strikeouts his last 17.2 innings.

Ground ball machine Scott Alexander locked down his first save as a Dodger in spite of yielding two hits. Alexander’s worked in three consecutive games but the team decided to rest Kenley Jansen on Friday, who worked the the two prior games and threw 29 pitches on Thursday. As for Alexander, he’s not given up a run in 6.2 innings to start July with seven strikeouts against two walks. On the season, his 74.3 ground ball rate and 20.4 hard hit percentage against make him a valued reliever in real life, plus, Alexander’s converted all 12 holds provided him this year.

On the other hand, Robert Gsellman continues to rack up wins and saves despite weak supporting statistics. Gsellman did secure his fourth save of 2018 serving up a home run to Matt Adams representing his only blemish in two innings last evening. However, Gsellman’s allowed 13 earned runs his last 11 outings (9.51 ERA) and four home runs in them. But, he has more wins this year than Jacob deGrom. Sometimes life is not fair. Seth Lugo walked two and whiffed three during his two inning appearance. As a reliever, Lugo’s surged with a 1.17 ERA his last 30.2 innings dating back to May first and has only allowed one earned run his last 12.1 innings with a .184 average against. New York continues to protect Jeurys Familia who pitched in three of the previous four games resulting in his night off. Familia’s been scoreless in nine of his last 10 games and owns a 0.33 WHIP in his last six straight scoreless games allowing one hit and one walk with five strikeouts. Perfect timing for the Mets to build his trade stock.

As if there needed to more confusion in the Phillies bullpen, Pat Neshek locked down his first save of the season becoming the ninth pitcher to do so, tying a team record last set in 2007. Neshek’s made five appearances since returning from the disabled list and Seranthony Dominguez had worked in three of the last four games, so this should be an off-day only. Also, Victor Arano, who saved three straight earlier this month, pitched the eighth inning allowing a walk with a strikeout for his fifth hold. In spite of the revolving door in the ninth inning, the Phillies bullpen owns the best ERA so far in July, fantasy be damned, right Gabe Kapler?

Streaky, as a term for fantasy, usually associates itself with hitters. However, Cody Allen can fall under this classification. He held on for his 14th straight save on Friday night allowing two hits, one a home run to Giancarlo Stanton, and a walk. He also coughed up six runs in an ugly outing his last time out. Prior to his implosion, Allen had an 11 game stretch with a 1.64 ERA and 18:3 K:BB. It can be a white knuckle ride owning him, but considering he’s converted 19 of 20 save chances, it could be worse. Like seven earned runs his last 1.2 innings, but remember the saves and try to recover the ratios. Cleveland should be adding to this bullpen in the next three weeks so his role could adapt going forward, but it remains to be seen.

Segue to Keone Kela who has been linked to trade rumors to teams like Cleveland and other contenders since he could be controlled past this season as opposed to adding a rental. Kela’s emerged this year as a closer extending his streak to 23 saves in a row giving up a hit and striking out one last night. He’s only allowed one earned runs his last 10 games (9.2 innings) and has a 1.64 ERA his last 23 games to cut his ERA from 6.55 to its present 3.27 as a result. Over his last 18 games, Kela’s held batters to a .148 average against with 21 strikeouts versus five walks. Not sure the Rangers would move him, but his owners should be aware it could happen.

Interesting evening in the National League West where the Padres bullpen collapsed while the Diamondbacks continues to thrive and Colorado’s may be rounding into form. Starting with San Diego, Brad Hand suffered his fifth blown save of the year. It started when he hit Victor Caratini with a pitch and he lost the lead on a double by Anthony Rizzo to tie the game. Hand’s only converted three of his last six save chances giving up runs in five of his last nine causing his ERA to rise from 1.78 to its present 3.05. He’s not at risk but Kirby Yates whiffed two in a clean eighth inning with a 1.47 ERA this year. Brad Boxberger notched his 23rd save, has saved seven in a row and allowed one earned run his last nine innings with 10 strikeouts. Archie Bradley fired a scoreless eighth yielding a hit and getting his major league leading 25th hold. Last, Wade Davis saved his 26th game in a clean outing with a strikeout. He’s converted six saves in a row with nine strikeouts and one walk his last nine appearances leading to a 1.00 ERA in them. Adam Ottavino recorded his fourth straight scoreless game with two strikeouts.

Quick Hits: With Zach Britton and Brad Brach on the trade block, could Mychal Givens turn his season around as the potential closer in waiting during the second half? Givens has pitched well of late and fired a clean inning with two strikeouts on Friday and has been scoreless his last four games with five strikeouts. Tyler Clippard allowed a hit while striking out two, has recorded three straight saves but not since July third. Seung-Hwan Oh whiffed two batters last night and has struck out 20 his last 12 games. A night of normalcy in Houston with Hector Rondon securing his eighth save allowing a walk. He’s eight-for-nine in save chances this season. Shane Greene returned from the disabled list yielding two hits in a scoreless outing, his first since July first. Save number 14 for Joakim Soria in a clean inning with two strikeouts. He’s pitched to a 1.15 ERA his last 15.2 innings with 21 strikeouts against five walks. Trevor Hildenberger struck out the side en route to his second win, has been scoreless in 21 of his last 22 games and whiffed 10 hitters in 5.1 innings in July. If Fernando Rodney gets traded, Hildenberger could pay dividends in the second half. As for Rodney, he allowed a run on a home run to Joey Wendle pitching with a four run lead in a non-save appearance but remains 18 for his last 20 save chances since May first with a 2.40 ERA his last 26.1 innings. Brandon Morrow notched his 21st save giving up a hit with a strikeout. He’s 21 for 23 in save conversions with a 1.52 ERA and has become the second Cub since Kerry Wood (24 in 2008) to record at least 20 saves prior to the All-Star break in spite of his sporadic usage patterns.