Bullpen Report: July 30, 2017

The Angels bullpen melted down in epic fashion on Sunday, blowing a 10-4 ninth-inning lead against the Blue Jays. Brooks Pounders started the frame by issuing a walk, a home run, and a double. He was then replaced by Bud Norris, who got one out but surrendered two singles, a walk, and a walk-off grand slam to Steve Pearce. It was the second walk-off grand slam against Norris (the first by Edwin Encarnacion) — and the second hit by Pearce — this week. Over his last 1.1 innings (13 batters faced), Norris has allowed eight earned runs on two grand slams, walked six, and recorded just one strikeout. His overall numbers have ballooned to a 3.89 ERA/3.87 FIP/3.59 xFIP in 41.2 innings. Given Norris’s recent struggles, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Halos look elsewhere for their next save opportunity.

Among those who could step in for Norris, Cam Bedrosian (4.64 ERA/2.54 FIP/3.24 xFIP in 21.1 IP) and Blake Parker (2.14 ERA/2.20 FIP/2.63 xFIP in 46.1 IP) make the most sense. Bedrosian has the edge in experience, as he was the Angels’ closer to open the season, but Parker’s numbers suggest he’s probably the better bet. Both may be worth targeting for those searching for saves, especially in holds leagues. On Sunday, Parker pitched a scoreless sixth and Bedrosian pitched a scoreless seventh. The Angels’ bullpen situation has been updated to yellow on the grid.

Trevor Rosenthal struck out the side on 12 pitches to secure his sixth save of the season. Seung Hwan Oh pitched a perfect eighth with two strikeouts. Rosenthal has had a terrific season for St. Louis, and he finally has wrested the closer’s role from the strugglign Oh. Among National League relievers, Rosenthal’s 98.7 mph average fastball velocity is the best in the league, and his 38.5 percent strikeout rate is third-best behind Corey Knebel and Kenley Jansen. Combine that with his passable 9.8 percent walk rate and elite home run rate (0.45 HR/9 in his career), and Rosenthal has an impressive 2.05 FIP and 2.55 xFIP in 42 innings this season. Look for Rosenthal to continue to hold off Oh in the ninth: Oh’s 3.64 ERA/4.30 FIP/4.74 xFIP in 47 innings this season is disappointing after his dazzling debut last season. His strikeout rate has dipped by about 10 points, and he’s already allowed two more earned runs and three more homers this year than he did in 79.2 innings last year.

Zach Britton entered with two on and one out in the ninth with the Orioles up by four. He struck out Nomar Mazara and got Adrian Beltre, the newest member of the 3,000-hit club, to ground out to end the game, giving him his eighth save. The Orioles are reportedly willing to trade Britton ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, but health concerns (Britton has been on the DL twice this season with arm injuries) have undoubtedly given inquiring teams some pause. With that in mind, Sunday’s appearance was significant because it marked the first time Britton has pitched on back-to-back calendar days since April 13-14.

Jim Johnson pitched the bottom of the eighth in a 1-1 game. He was pulled for lefty Rex Brothers after he issued one-one walk to Tommy Joseph. It was odd to see Johnson in the eighth, as he’s normally the Braves closer. On Saturday, he blew a one-run ninth-inning save opportunity on a solo home run by Odubel Herrera. Until further notice, Johnson remains the Braves closer. He has been performed well this season (4.19 ERA/2.87 FIP/3.33 xFIP in 43 innings), so he’s more likely to lose his job because of a trade than anything else. Stay tuned for updates on his status, as well as everyone else’s, with Monday’s non-waiver trading deadline less than 24 hours away.

Other closer activity: In game one of a day-night doubleheader against the Nationals, Greg Holland was summoned to clean up a one-out, bases loaded jam in the ninth with the Rockies leading by six. He allowed a two-run single to Anthony Rendon, but then got Howie Kendrick to hit into a game-ending double play for his MLB-best 33rd save. With a two-run lead in the ninth, Kelvin Herrera allowed two walks and a single, culminating in a bases-loaded, two out showdown with Mookie Betts. Herrera got Betts to fly out to center, ending the game. It was Herrera’s 23rd save of the season. Alex Colome notched his 30th save of the season, holding onto a two-run lead against the Yankees. Wade Davis allowed a single but pitched a scoreless ninth for his 22nd save. Raisel Iglesias pitched the ninth with a 6-1 lead and allowed a three-run homer to Marcell Ozuna. He closed out the game without any further damage. Tyler Clippard allowed a ground-rule double but struck out two in a scoreless ninth in a tie game at home. Hector Neris and Blake Treinen also pitched scoreless ninth innings in tie games at home. A.J. Ramos struggled in his Mets debut: he allowed two runs on two hits, a walk, and a wild pitch. While he’s not technically a closer for now, that could change if Addison Reed is traded. Felipe Rivero struck out two and allowed a hit in a scoreless ninth with a six-run lead.

Closer Grid:

[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]