Bullpen Report: July 20, 2019

It’s been an up and down season for Luke Jackson transitioning to the bullpen for Atlanta. Last night, he allowed a two out two run home run to Victor Robles resulting in his seventh blown save and a tied game in the ninth inning. Every time it seems like Jackson rights the ship, another blip surfaces on the horizon. However, this tweet from one of the Braves beat writer highlights Jackson’s volatility in high leverage:

Robles ties it in the ninth with a two-out, two-run homer off Luke Jackson, who has allowed a run in 11 of his past 24 appearances

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 20, 2019

There’s no reports suggesting  a changing of the guard in Atlanta, but noting Anthony Swarzak’s performance since his acquisition seems appropriate. Swarzak’s appeared in 20 games with a 0.44 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 20.1 innings with the Braves. They also could use A.J. Minter in beneficial match-ups against left-handed hitters in the ninth. Washington lost this game on a walk-off single by Josh Donaldson after leaving in Fernando Rodney for a second inning after he tossed a clean eighth inning. A lead-off walk to Ronald Acuna Jr. then consecutive singles by Dansby Swanson and Josh Donaldson handed Jackson his fifth win of the year. He’s lived a charmed life this year, but heed the reports of his role going forward, especially with the trade deadline looming.

In St. Louis, Carlos Martinez held on for his seventh save but with deuces wild in his outing. Martinez allowed two hits, two earned runs and issued two walks with two strikeouts versus the Reds on the road. He’s yielded runs in three straight appearances giving up seven hits, five earned runs and three walks with three strikeouts his last three innings pitched. Having pitched five times over the last six days, Martinez could benefit from a break.  Andrew Miller notched his 14th hold walking one and striking out two. He’s also appeared in three straight games so a save chance could fall upon John Brebbia if provided on Saturday with Giovanny Gallegos setting up for him. Plan accordingly.

Trusting the Red Sox bullpen continues to burn fantasy owners. Nathan Eovaldi will be activated prior to Saturday’s game but after initial reports suggested he would ascend to the closer role, the latest news believes Brandon Workman will continue to “close” games for the team:

Cora doesn't plan to name a closer but acknowledged the bullpen has become more structured and Workman (3 saves in his last seven appearances) essentially has the job.

We'll see how that shifts with Eovaldi back. Keep in mind he's never been a reliever.

— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) July 19, 2019

Owners who stashed Eovaldi implicitly for saves could be disappointed but should stay patient in this potentially fluid situation.

Philadelphia provided Hector Neris with a much needed day off using Cole Irvin for his first career save. Irvin worked two innings allowing a hit with a strikeout. Of course, tacking on three runs in the top of the ninth made this decision easier but Irvin could fare better in shorter outings. Speaking of which, Nick Pivetta will shift to the bullpen as well. Both his fastball and sinker yield a batting average over .300 against, but as a reliever he can deploy his two best pitches more often, his slider and curve. Pivetta’s quotes about the switch do not prove to be positive, but this provides him a chance to hone his arsenal in the bullpen. Due to the litany of injuries within this bullpen, Pivetta could be a factor in high leverage sooner rather than later. In fact, there’s an outside chance he works his way into saves before the end of the season.

Amidst all the fluid situations across baseball, Liam Hendriks continues to plant his flag as the closer for a contending team. Hendriks fired 1.2 clean innings striking out three in Minnesota last night locking down his seventh save of the season. He also extended his personal scoreless streak to 19.2 innings, a career best during which he’s recorded a 33:2 K:BB rate. Dating back to September first of last year, Hendriks owns a 1.21 ERA spanning 66.2 innings.

Quick Hits: Craig Kimbrel secured his fifth save walking one and striking out three against the Padres. Pedro Strop suffered his fourth blown save but gets his second win after the Cubs rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning…Craig Stammen incurred his fifth loss giving up an unearned run…Pirates reliever Keone Kela could be activated this weekend bolstering a struggling unit…Stephen Tarpley recorded his second save working three scoreless innings with six strikeouts against the Rockies. He also racked up nine swinging strikes of his 49 pitches for an 18.4 swinging strike percentage. Adam Ottavino notched his 23rd hold striking out the side against his old team…Emilio Pagan pitched a clean sixth inning with two strikeouts, Oliver Drake turned in the same line in the seventh and Diego Castillo allowed a hit while striking out two in the eighth in a Rays loss…Shane Greene logged a clean ninth with two strikeouts working in a non-save appearance. He’s worked 11 times this season in such situations with a 1.64 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 11 innings helping his cause for a trade…Save number 21 for Roberto Osuna tossing a clean ninth inning versus Texas…Jose LeClerc recorded a clean inning with a strikeout but also hit Alex Bregman in the helmet with a pitch….Greg Holland notched his 16th save with a clean inning striking out one. He’s converted his last four save chances. Nice rebound outing by Yoan Lopez working 1.2 clean inning with a strikeout for his 14th hold…Kenley Jansen recorded his 24th save striking out the side against the Marlins at home. His first save since June 25th…Will Smith logged another scoreless inning with two strikeouts preserving a tie. Sam Dyson gets his fourth win striking out two in a clean 10th inning preceding a Giants rally in the bottom of the inning.