Bullpen Report: September 23, 2018

Robert Gsellman allowed one run on two hits in the ninth inning Friday night against Washington but held on to pick up his twelfth save of the season. Mickey Callaway and the Mets are still running a firm committee as Paul Sewald earned the save in Thursday’s series opener against Nationals. Stay out of this pen unless you are desperate for every last save.

Despite surrendering the go-ahead run on Thursday against the Red Sox, Dellin Betances earned his fourth save of the season at Yankee Stadium on Friday night when he was called on to hold a two-run lead against the Orioles. Aaron Boone continues to spread the saves around while Aroldis Chapman continues to be eased back into action as he recovers from knee tendinitis. On Saturday, Chapman struck out two and in a scoreless seventh inning while Betances worked the eighth. The Yankees look like they will continue to play matchups for the foreseeable future. Add Betances to the list of pitchers (Zach Britton, David Robertson) that could be called on in a save situation for the Yanks.

Carlos Martinez earned his fourth save of the season Friday night and pitched two innings on Saturday to earn the win when Tyler O’Neil hit a walkoff home run. Martinez has posted a 1.71 K/BB rate while allowing 3 runs on 9 hits in 13.1 innings since returning as a reliever and looks to be the main source of saves in the St. Louis bullpen – as Jordan Hicks hasn’t pitched in a save situation since September 4th.

Kirby Yates allowed a run on two hits in an inning and a third against the Dodgers on Friday night. After a sparkling first half where Kirby Yates posted a 1.43 ERA and .207 wOBA, Yates has seen his second half ERA tick up to 3.27 and his wOBA to .289. But Yates is striking out more, and walking fewer batters (12.00 K/BB) in the second half and will still be relied on for saves in the last week of the season.

Arodys Vizcaino earned his first save since being activated from the disabled list Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia. This comes a day after A.J. Minter picked up his 15th save of the season (1R, 2H). Despite Minter’s success in the role, it’s possible the two could split save opportunities during the final week. As of now, Braves’ beat reporters are unsure as to which way Brian Snitker may lean.

Wade Davis continued his excellent September pitching a scoreless ninth in a 5-1 win over the D-Backs on Saturday night. After posting a 5.40 ERA though July and August, Davis has allowed only 1 run and 4 hits in eight September innings (4 SV). Brad Boxberger continued his second half struggles when he walked in a run during the top of the ninth.

Blake Treinen picked up a win after he pitched the top of the ninth in a 2-2 tie against Minnesota. Treinen allowed a hit for the first time since August 23rd, but his streak of scoreless appearances continues. After surrendering a leadoff double to Stephen Piscotty, an error, walk, and a wild pitch saw Trevor Hildenberger take the loss as the Twins fell to the A’s 3-2.

Quick Hits: Wily Peralta, Craig Kimbrel, Felipe Vazquez and Ken Giles also earned saves over the past two days. All four continue to be their teams’ primary source for saves during the season’s final week.

On Saturday night, Andrew Miller worked a scoreless seventh and pitched to three batters in the eighth before giving way to Brad Hand. Hand surrendered a double to Jackie Bradley Jr. and a two-run single to Andrew Benintendi to tie the game. Cody Allen didn’t pitch and Cleveland walked it off in the eleventh.

Both Joe Jimenez and Shane Greene surrendered runs while pitching the eighth and ninth innings respectively on Saturday night. Greene earned the save and doesn’t appear to be surrendering his role as Tigers’ closer despite Jimenez’ higher ceiling.