Bullpen Report: June 20, 2019

• Since returning from the IL, Wade Davis has been very ineffective, leading to a deserved red band in the grid below. The Rockies haven’t made any changes yet of course and called on Davis in the 9th last night for the save. Davis got his 9th save while striking out a pair, but not before allowing a solo shot to Kevin Cron. It’s nice to see Davis get the save and a couple of whiffs but since his return he’s allowed 8 runs in 6 appearances and a very meager 7.1% Swinging Strike rate. Although he got the save, Davis will have to start putting up zeros to hold the job or a potential return to the IL.

• No save in St. Louis last night but Jordan Hicks pitched a scoreless 9th and 10th. Carlos Martinez blew the save in his 2nd inning of work in the 8th with Andrew Miller called on to get the final out. The Cardinals are starting to put together a formidable bullpen. Jordan Hicks isn’t quite as shutdown-y as you would want but he’s been OK. Andrew Miller is starting to get back into form, Carlos Martinez has been effective and John Gant has been incredible all year and even received his 7th win last night when the Cardinals scored in the 11th. Although normally a starter, the Cardlinals confirmed that Carlos Martinez will remain in the pen, making him another holds option moving forward.

The best of the bunch in the bullpen might not even be on the grid or getting paid much in Giovanny Gallegos who has a 2.13 SIERA, a 34.2% K-BB% (4th best among qualified relievers), and a 17.1 SwStr% (12th best among qualified relievers). Gallegos likely won’t see save chances but he should continue to rack up totals and holds.

• No save situation for the Red Sox but Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th with Marcus Walden getting the final three outs in the 9th. After an early season dose of Ryan Brasier, Matt Barnes has become the main guy to own in Boston but their committee remains with Brandon Workman, Brasier, and Walden lingering for some lower leverage save chances.

• The Braves bullpen pecking order is starting to solidify, even if Luke Jackson has been a little mediocre of late. Last night A.J. Minter got two outs in the 7th before handing it off to Anthony Swazak to finish of the 7th and 8th innings. Luke Jackson took to the 9th, and didn’t get a save but otherwise closed the door on the Mets with a perfect inning and a pair of strikeouts. A shutdown inning out of Jackson is good to see but if Jackson were to struggle, look for Swarzak and Minter to see some saves chances.

• The Pirates might not be particularly good but Felipe Vazquez sure is! He pitched a perfect inning for his 17th save and remains a top closing option. Vazquez name was mentioned as a trade possibility by me a while ago, with no actual rumors or basis to back it up just the logic of selling a bullpen arm in a down year. Now that we’re in the rumor season, his name hasn’t been mentioned with his affordable deal unlikely to be moved. Vazquez would likely be the closer on any team he joined anyway, but his owners can relax knowing he’s likely to continue getting saves on Pittsburgh moving forward.