Bullpen Report: June 23, 2018

Arizona did not deploy Brad Boxberger until the 11th inning for a save opportunity, but Boxberger failed to convert it for the second straight outing. Boxberger allowed an unearned run to score but it’s the three walks which raises eyebrows, not the end result. Leadoff walks never end well for closers and Boxberger started the inning with one to Gregory Polanco. Then he handed out a free pass to Josh Bell along with an intentional walk to Austin Meadows after a sacrifice bunt to load the bases. Had Jake Lamb made a better throw to home, perhaps it’s a moot point, but Boxberger’s walked five over his last six innings giving up three home runs and six earned runs in these appearances. As a result, Boxberger’s walk percentage has risen to 12.1 percent and his WHIP to an uncomfortable 1.37 through 26.1 innings.

It’s important to note, Boxberger’s only thrown 27.2 innings total across all levels in 2016 and 37 innings last year due to injuries. Fatigue could be a factor as the All-Star break looms. Arizona will let him continue in the role not wishing to increase arbitration to Archie Bradley, but in the midst of a pennant chase in the wide open National League West may eventually force their hand. Bradley’s only yielded one earned run in 10.1 innings in June despite his 4:4 K:BB in them. Yoshihisa Hirano‘s on a 21 game (18.1 inning) scoreless streak but mostly works in the seventh inning as a setup pitcher. Andrew Chafin’s also pitching well tossing 23 scoreless outings of his last 25 giving up only two earned runs his last 17.1 innings (1.04 ERA). Whether or not the Diamondbacks make a change remains to be seen, but Boxberger’s officially under watch as innings accrue. If the walks and home runs persist, he could be on the outside looking in for save chances in July.

Bud Norris owners remain wary due to his recent performances. Norris suffered his second loss giving up a walk-off home run to Jesus Aguilar in Milwaukee. This is on the heels of three straight scoreless appearances previously, but Norris has yielded three home runs in his last eight games and runs in four of them. He remains 13-for-15 in save chances with some leash left, but this sets up as another potentially volatile bullpen. Jordan Hicks fired a scoreless eighth inning giving up a hit with a strikeout and he’s whiffed 20 over his last 11 outings compared to only 12 strikeouts his first 24 games. Plus, factor in the money spent on Greg Holland. He’s actually thrown two clean outings since returning from Triple-A with two strikeouts in each of them. Norris should get the next save chance, but if Holland continues to pitch well, pressure will mount if Norris’ struggles persist.

In a battle of implosions, both Dan Winkler and Zach Britton sullied their owners pitching ratios on Friday night. Winkler blew his first save chance, with Arodys Vizcaino sidelined with a balky shoulder, allowing three hits, four earned runs and a walk in one-third of an inning. Britton then entered for the Orioles with a four run lead in the bottom of the ninth yielding five hits and four earned runs while recording only one out. It could be a blip for both pitchers as sometimes bullpens do not pitch well late in games, but it’s not encouraging for Britton’s trade status if he cannot work effectively on the road. As for Winkler, he entered the game as one of two relievers with at least 13 holds without a blown save and has given up runs in two of his last three outings increasing his ERA to 2.73 in the process.

Of the most concern, Vizcaino’s absence since June 17th. He sat out the entire Blue Jays series and hopes to be available on Saturday. Vizcaino’s recorded 10 straight scoreless outings with eight consecutive saves. He’s not allowed run since May 15th, but if the shoulder soreness persists, the Braves may need to make a bigger splash in the reliever trade market instead of just bolstering their setup arms. If a save chance arises and Vizcaino cannot pitch, it could be A.J. Minter who worked a scoreless eighth last night and has retired 13 of the last 25 hitters faced via a strikeout. Minter’s 11-for-11 in holds this year and four-for-four in save opportunities.

Overshadowed by all of the above, the Royals finally had a save chance since the Kelvin Herrera trade. Whether or not it’s a blueprint for future outings, they used Kevin McCarthy in the seventh of a tied game. He walked two in a scoreless inning. Then Justin Grimm in the eighth. Grimm walked one but has turned in four scoreless innings of his five appearances since returning from the disabled list on June 12th. Tim Hill notched his first career save in a clean ninth inning. He faced Marwin Gonzalez (switch-hitter), Tony Kemp and Brian McCann. It remains to be seen if the Royals held Hill to face a mostly left-handed hitting lineup in the ninth or if it’s his role to lose. Hill’s a potential non-traditional closer but does possess a 62.1 ground ball rate this year with 24 strikeouts against eight walks with 19 of his 32 outings being hitless this season. Stay tuned for the every save matters crowd.

Providing the Royals with a save chance, Ken Giles allowed a run on two hits during his ninth inning. Chris Devenski worked a clean seventh inning, his eighth straight scoreless outing, with two strikeouts. Then Hector Rondon put traffic on base, two walks and a hit, but held on for a scoreless inning with two strikeouts to lower his ERA to 1.61. Giles remains 11-for-11 in saves but has given up runs in three of his last seven and four of his last 10 games. It’s tough to see the pain in his face during post-game interviews, but how much longer will Houston go until they add relievers prior to the trade deadline?

Quick Hits: Felipe Vazquez tossed a scoreless ninth allowing a hit with a strikeout for his third straight unsullied appearance. Kenley Jansen notched his 19th save, and 17th in a row, with a clean ninth striking out two. Over his last 26 games, Jansen’s 0.96 ERA in 28 innings stands out and he’s whiffed 29 against six walks in this stretch. Anthony Swarzak worked a clean inning for the Mets pitching while they trailed. Save number 12 for Raisel Iglesias who fired a clean ninth with a strikeout. Since his return from the disabled list, Iglesias has worked 9.2 innings with a 2.78 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. As the last man standing for Arizona, T. J. McFarland recorded his first save of 2018 with a clean inning in the 13th. Sergio Romo allowed a hit but secured his fifth save. He’s allowed two runs his last five outings but has four saves in five chances in them. Joakim Soria continues to surge whiffing two in a clean ninth for his 11th save. He’s not yielded a run his last 13.2 innings spanning 14 games converting all seven save chances in them with 15 strikeouts versus two walks. Scoreless outings for Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel in non-save innings for the Red Sox. Kimbrel’s converted 13 straight saves. First win of the year for Corey Knebel who has recorded four saves in a row and struck out 24 in 16.2 innings so far as he seems to be finding his groove overcoming early injuries. Josh Hader, Jacob Barnes and Jeremy Jeffress kept the game within reach for the Brewers as the bullpen continues to thrive and benefits from depth. Save number nine for Blake Parker, a clean inning snapping runs allowed in his three prior appearances. Although this bullpen remains fluid, Parker seems preferred to Justin Anderson but both remain relevant for saves going forward barring a trade. Brad Hand lost a save chance when the Padres extended the lead to four runs in the top of the ninth. Hand did strikeout one in a clean ninth after giving up home runs in each of his two previous outings. He’s second to Edwin Diaz (43) in saves with 39 since the trade of Brandon Maurer last year. Sorry for the volume, but a crazy night for bullpens.