Bullpen Report: July 26, 2019

Maybe when Wade Davis gets lit up by the Dodgers, it’s a good thing.

A little less than a year ago — on Aug. 9, 2018, to be exact — Davis was charged with a loss against the Dodgers after giving up home runs to Chris Taylor and Brian Dozier in what was the latest in a series of poor outings. The Rockies’ closer made some tweaks to his mechanics, and over the rest of the season, he gave up only one run and was 11 for 11 in his save opportunities.

Back on June 27 of this year, Davis had another meltdown against the Dodgers. As in the previous debacle, he entered the ninth inning in a tie game, and on this occasion, he allowed the Dodgers to break the game open with four runs on a walk and three hits, including an Enrique Hernandez three-run homer. Davis has not been quite as dominant since this performance as he had been late last season; as recently as July 16, he allowed four runs (three earned) against the Giants. Still, Davis has been a much better pitcher since losing to the Dodgers. In 6.1 innings, the runs he gave up to the Giants were the only runs he has allowed, and he has yielded two hits (both singles) while striking out eight batters. Davis has also compiled a 16.8 percent SwStr%, as compared to the 7.0 percent rate he amassed over his prior 10.1 innings.

Davis’ slump spanned his final appearance before an IL stint for an oblique strain and the 10 appearances he made thereafter. He has not been throwing any harder over his recent outings, but he has been doing a better job of getting ahead in the count. Davis’ latest success came on Thursday against the Nationals, as he preserved an 8-7 win while allowing only a walk to Juan Soto and getting each of his three outs by way of a strikeout.

Owners should still have some trepidation about using Davis for home games, but when he is not burdened by the BABIP-inflating conditions of Coors Field (he has a .370 home BABIP), he is perfectly reliable. It is especially reassuring that he has not walked a batter in seven of his last 10 appearances.

Davis would not have had a chance to record his 15th save on Thursday if not for Fernando Rodney blowing his own save opportunity in the top of the ninth inning. Heading into the final frame with a 7-6 lead, Dave Martinez was faced with the dilemma of using either Rodney or Sean Doolittle, both of whom had pitched in both games of Wednesday’s doubleheader, or entrusting either Javy Guerra or Michael Blazek to close, as they were the only other relievers not already used in the game. Rodney blew the save as soon as he gave up Ian Desmond’s leadoff homer. Four batters later, Daniel Murphy hit what could have been a double-play grounder, but he beat out Dozier’s throw to first base, allowing Charlie Blackmon to score the go-ahead run.

The Mets did not have a save situation against the Padres on Thursday, but Mickey Callaway brought in Edwin Diaz to try to complete a 4-0 win. Diaz wound up facing only one batter, as Manny Machado scorched a single on a ball that deflected off the righty’s left big toe. A limping Diaz was pulled from the game, and Luis Avilan completed the inning and the shutout. X-rays on Diaz’s toe came back negative, and he is currently listed as day-to-day. There is some chance that this could have been one of Diaz’s last appearances as a Met, as the team is open to trading him.

Ken Giles is another closer who could move before next Wednesday’s trade deadline, but his departure won’t necessarily mean that setup reliever Daniel Hudson is due to pick up saves. Hudson has also been mentioned in trade rumors, and specifically, the Twins have expressed an interest in both Giles and Hudson. With Blake Parker getting designated for assignment on Wednesday and Trevor May struggling in his recent appearances, at minimum, the Twins will need to enhance their bullpen depth for the home stretch. As for the Blue Jays, there is no clear closer candidate to succeed Giles (or Hudson), but Tim Mayza may have a leg up on the remaining Toronto relievers. He has been used consistently in high-leverage situations, has four holds since June 29 and is not one of the more likely relievers to be traded.

Quick hits: The Cardinals carried a 6-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning against the Pirates, but Carlos Martinez did not get a save. Andrew Miller stayed in to retire left-handed Corey Dickerson, and then Martinez entered to finish out the inning…John Gant earned his 14th hold for the Cardinals on Thursday, but over his last 18.2 innings, he has eight walks but only seven strikeouts…A.J. Cole recorded his first save of the season in the Indians’ 5-4, 14-inning win over the Royals. He allowed a run on two hits and a walk, but Cole was working with a two-run cushion…Orioles outfielder Steve Wilkerson got the save in a 10-8, 16-inning victory over the Angels. He set Brian Goodwin, Kole Calhoun and Albert Pujols down in order, becoming the first position player to be credited with a save since the stat became official in 1969. Wilkerson’s average fastball velocity was 58.2 mph. It was his third appearance of the season.