Bullpen Report: May 6, 2018

Before delving down the rabbit hole of chasing the next save, a moment to celebrate a milestone for Craig Kimbrel. He’s reached 300 saves in the fewest games (494) of any reliever, with the least save opportunities (330) and at the youngest age (29). Saturday’s save was Kimbrel’s ninth of this year and he did so in familiar fashion striking out two in a clean inning. Rounding into form, Kimbrel’s been a solid investment within the top tier of closers this season. Teammate Joe Kelly also worked out of a bases loaded jam to provide the save chance. Over his last 11 innings, Kelly’s recorded 12 strikeouts while limiting opponents to four hits and zero walks.

Now, it’s time to start trying to diagnose future save production. First, with Bud Norris leaving Saturday’s appearance with an injury, the team will need to reshuffle roles within the bullpen, again. For now, Norris will avoid the disabled list according to sources, but there’s no guarantees. Norris believes he needs a “few days” to recover since it’s an injury he’s managed before. He’s worked 17 times in 31 games including four of the last five for St. Louis. As for the next chance, here’s a quick look at the contestants:

Luke Gregerson – After a rough start and missing time in spring training to injury, he’s turned in three straight clean outings in 2.2 innings of work with four strikeouts and a hold. Although he’s struggled, odds suggest he could see the next save chance due to entering camp with the “closer” label.
Jordan Hicks – While his usage in high leverage proves sporadic, his radar popping fastball keeps him in the conversation. However, his ability to work more than one inning along with the team deploying him at different times suggests he may not work the ninth. Plus, he’s walked five and struck out one in his last 4.2 innings spanning five outings.
Tyler Lyons – His last four appearances have been for one-third of an inning each with a hold and a win within them. He’s totaled 1.1 innings in his last five games giving up three hits, two earned runs, one walk and struck out one. Been more left-handed match-up specific of late which boxes him in.
Greg Holland – Signed to be the closer, will he get another chance with Norris out? Holland did record a scoreless inning on Saturday but allowed a hit and a walk. Traffic’s been a problem for Holland in his last five games. In them, he’s yielded eight hits, four runs (three earned) and a walk with four strikeouts.

Best guess here lies with Luke Gregerson getting the next chance at a Cardinals save with Greg Holland and Tyler Lyons as the dark horses. Ultimately, only Mike Matheny knows for sure.

With Keynan Middleton on the disabled list, the Angels situation returned to its usual murky ways. On Saturday, not much clarity emerged. Cam Bedrosian and Noe Ramirez worked two-thirds of an inning each in the sixth and seventh innings respectively. Justin Anderson started the eighth and promptly allowed three runs resulting from two hits along with a walk without recording an out. Enter Blake Parker who turned in 1.2 scoreless innings giving up two hits and a walk with a strikeout to keep the team within reach. Then Jim Johnson pitched in the tenth with a chance for the save but could not convert it and eventually took the loss during his 1.1 innings allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk. Manager Mike Scioscia could turn back to Cam Bedrosian, he could try Blake Parker once again or he could head another direction. It’s best to avoid this if possible and hope Keynan Middleton can return soon. Not sure why Scioscia will not try Ramirez, but, we press on.

Once again, working in a non-save chance did not fare well for Keone Kela. He allowed a triple by Andrew Benintendi with one out in the ninth which translated to a run and a loss for Kela. His last two outings have resulted in six hits and five earned runs. However, he’s six-for-six in save chances this season including back-to-back saves in Toronto needing only nine pitches. Texas may be best served saving him for the highest leverage, but Kela does need to display some consistency in the ninth inning if he’s going to be successful long term. This happened at times for Kelvin Herrera last year regarding performance in and out of splits with saves. Patience may need to be required.

As the Astros turn continues to be a high leverage drama causing fantasy owners headaches. On Saturday, the team once again bypassed Ken Giles using Chris Devenski in a tied game after the team rallied to tie the Diamondbacks in the eighth inning. Devenski was not sharp only throwing 13 strikes of his 27 pitches resulting in a loss. He allowed a hit and two walks with a strikeout. Brad Peacock entered the game to face A.J. Pollock who served his first pitch to left field for the game winning hit. It seems as though it’s Giles or Devenski in save chances, but more ibuprofen will be needed if owning this group of pitchers. In this same game, Arizona used Archie Bradley for 1.1 innings in a bridge from the sixth to the seventh for his 11th hold. He’s only worked in one game in which Arizona’s lost all season. Yoshihisa Hirano did not do well in his eighth inning audition after Bradley serving up two hits, two walks and two earned runs for the blown save. Brad Boxberger worked a clean ninth with a strikeout garnering his first win during the walk-off victory.

With all of the recent struggles highlighted above, suddenly Alex Colome’s rounding into form. Forced into duty after Sergio Romo allowed a two-run home run in the eighth, Colome then retired all five batters he faced needing only 19 pitches and striking out two en route to his sixth save. He’s only allowed one run over his last 1.2 innings with 11 strikeouts and one walk.

Quick Hits: Do not read too much into David Robertson’s first save. Aroldis Chapman worked three of the previous four and in four the last six prior to Saturday. Robertson did well giving up a hit with two strikeouts for his first save of 2018. Hector Neris notched his sixth save in spite of two walks in his outing. He’s turned in eight straight scoreless appearances but his control could become an issue. Brandon Morrow blew his first save allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk with a strikeout. He’s safe in his role even though Carl Edwards Jr. continues to shine. Detroit’s defense did not do Shane Greene any favors, but he held on for his sixth save yielding an unearned run on two hits with three strikeouts. Brad Hand allowed a lead-off hit but struck out the side after for his eighth save. Milwaukee’s Josh Hader may be human after all. He gave up a two-run home run to Starling Marte but recovered from the blown save for his first win with four strikeouts in two innings. He’s recorded 12 of his last 14 outs via the strikeout. Wash, rinse, repeat for the Rockies with Adam Ottavino notching his eighth hold and Wade Davis recording his 13th save in a clean ninth. Under the radar performance by Mychal Givens who worked two clean inning with five strikeouts in Oakland last night needing only 29 pitches (22 strikes). First blown save for Edwin Diaz giving up a two-run home run to Justin Upton. He’s been very solid this year, so this blip will be overlooked.