Bullpen Report: July 21, 2018

As daunting as chasing saves can be, adding in the pending trade deadline to trade rumors makes it difficult to publish an early report. But here we are. News of a hugwatch broke out on Twitter suggesting Jeurys Familia could be on the move. He did not enter an obvious save opportunity against the Yankees on the road leaving Robert Gsellman in for the two inning save. While news broke on which teams would not be adding Familia, it appears the focus centers on Oakland trying to obtain his services to add to their already stocked bullpen. If the A’s do not wish to overpay in a scarce starting pitcher market, why not try to shorten games with a deep bullpen? Familia’s yet to allow a run in seven scoreless outings in July yielding one hit in them. He’s also been scoreless in 10 of his last 11 appearances. It needs to be pointed out Familia should setup if he joins the A’s due to his inability to get left-handed hitters out this year (.288 batting average against).

However, since there’s no official word as of this writing, the charts will not be updated until teams announce a deal. As for the Mets, it appears Robert Gsellman could transition to the closer role with Anthony Swarzak struggling and Seth Lugo needed for multiple inning outings. Gsellman did give up two unearned runs against the Yankees on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts during his two inning save. It’s his fifth save this year but Gsellman will need to rebound in the second half in order to appeal to fantasy owners. He’s coughed up 13 earned runs over his last 12 games (14.1 innings) resulting in a 8.18 ERA. Perhaps the break will help him bounce back, but it could be a bumpy ride if he does ascend to the ninth inning.

Two closers did not make it to the game due to illness on Friday night. Both Kyle Barraclough and Wade Davis were unavailable in save chances due to being sick. Miami seemed to be in cruise control until Javy Guerra provided some traffic on the bases on the bottom of the ninth. Drew Steckenrider entered but allowed a triple to Mallex Smith letting two inherited runners score, then a sacrifice fly to C.J. Cron before giving up another base hit and lifted from the game. Enter Adam Conley who also allowed a single but whiffed Daniel Robertson for his first career save. Conley’s rebounded since his implosion against Washington on July fifth with 5.2 scoreless innings yielding one hit with nine strikeouts. He’s been scoreless in 16 of his last 18 appearances and firmly on the radar for contenders.

Colorado turned to Adam Ottavino, who converted his third save this year, in lieu of Davis. Ottavino did give up an unearned run on two hits and a walk with a strikeout. He’s not allowed an earned run since July first spanning 7.1 innings but owns a 1.70 WHIP in July. Not exactly tidy when trying to protect ratios in fantasy. As for Davis, he’s converted his last seven save chances with a 0.90 ERA and 10 strikeouts his last 10 appearances.

Debuting its remade bullpen, it seemed like deja vu for Cleveland. Brad Hand allowed a home run to Joey Gallo but held on for his first hold with the Indians and fourth of the year. Cleveland hinted a match-up based ninth inning could emerge with the addition of Hand, but not on Friday night. Cody Allen, also served up a dinger to Gallo, en route to only his second blown save of the season snapping his streak of 15 straight saves. Allen yielded three hits, two earned runs and a walk with two strikeouts and has given up runs in three of his last four games. In July, Allen’s ERA ballooned to 11.05 with a 8.61 FIP and 2.18 WHIP. Less than optimal but all signs indicate he will get the next save chance. Dan Otero eventually emerged from this game with his first save of 2018.

With the return of Roberto Osuna looming in early August, not sure if Toronto’s trying to build up Tyler Clippard’s trade value or if he’s the clear cut closer until Osuna’s return. Clippard received the save opportunity last night against the Orioles and promptly allowed a leadoff double to Trey Mancini. After he scored, Clippard served up back-to-back home runs to Caleb Joseph and Tim Beckham blowing the save, his sixth of the year. Clippard’s blown consecutive saves around the break allowing four earned runs his last 1.2 innings. His ERA in July rose to 6.43 in spite of a 1.14 WHIP with nine strikeouts against no walks. Both Seung-Hwan Oh and Ryan Tepera struck out the only batters they faced, but it seems like Toronto’s hesitant to put Tepera back in the ninth inning even though he’s converted six of his last eight save chances. Stay tuned.

On the surface, Kenley Jansen notched his 28th save allowing a hit with two strikeouts. However, he allowed two inherited runners to score on a triple by Christian Yelich. Jansen recovered to strikeout Jesus Aguilar to convert his 26th save in 27 chances since April 21st. The bigger story here, with the Dodgers adding Manny Machado, will they continue to try and win games with a bridge of Daniel Hudson, Zac Rosscup and Dylan Floro leading up to Jansen? No chance. Who they eventually target and add will affect the closer situations going forward.

Riding the wave of eight straight scoreless outings, Wily Peralta struggled mightily last night giving up two hits, three earned runs and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Due to the amount of traffic he allows (1.71 WHIP), it’s a high wire act trying to squeeze saves out of him and the remaining Royals bullpen. Brandon Maurer recorded his first save since September ninth last year getting the last out after allowing a hit, a walk and an inherited runner to score. Fun fact, Maurer has three saves as a Royal, all against the Twins. Stay away if possible.

Quick Hits: A.J. Minter keeps rolling along closing out his fifth save, in as many chances, striking out one in a clean ninth. Minter’s recorded a 2.35 ERA and 0.72 WHIP his last 15.1 innings with 17 strikeouts. Phil Maton whiffed three in two clean innings for San Diego on Friday night. He’s a dark horse for saves if the Padres continue to trade bullpen arms. Save number 31 for Craig Kimbrel and his 22nd in a row. Kimbrel’s not allowed an earned run his last 12.2 innings giving up only five hits, none for extra-bases, and striking out 21 in them. Keone Kela walked one and struck out one in a non-save appearance. He’s recorded a save in nine of his last 11 games yielding only one earned run his last 10.2 innings. Jose LeClerc whiffed one in a clean outing. LeClerc’s allowed one hit versus the last 28 hitters he’s faced in nine shutout innings. Tough night for Archie Bradley who coughs up six earned runs on three hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning for his third blown save and second loss. Hector Rondon secured his ninth save striking out two in a clean ninth. He’s converted nine of his last 10 save chances and this marks his fifth save in six appearances. Edwin Diaz walked one with a strikeout for his 37th save and has converted his last 18 in a row over a 19 game span with a 0.93 ERA in them. Once again, hitters pitched on Friday with Tommy LaStella, Victor Caratini and Ian Happ taking the mound in a blowout loss by the Cubs. Happ win the clubhouse bragging rights giving up only a hit in his inning of work.