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Chasing saves in Colorado could be tenuous, but avoiding Wade Davis for fantasy right now would be advisable. Davis entered a tied game on the road and promptly served up a go-ahead solo home run to Carson Kelly. He rebounded to strikeout Adam Jones then yielded a single to Jarrod Dyson, who stole second moving up on a throwing error to third. Davis also struck out Ketel Marte but a walk to Eduardo Escobar with two outs led to his exit. Jake McGee entered putting gas on the fire giving up a triple to David Peralta with two more earned runs charged to Davis’ ledger. It’s been a tough stretch for Davis allowing runs in five of his last 19 appearances, but he’s given up at least three runs in each of these occasions. Plus, Davis entered with a 0.63 ERA on the road in 14.1 innings prior to this outing which jumps to 2.40 courtesy of the last night’s results. There’s no clarity as to which Rockies reliever will get the next save chance, but:

#Rockies manager Bud Black said he's not ready to anoint the next closer, but expect to see Jairo Diaz and Carlos Esteves get chances to pitch the ninth.

— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) August 19, 2019

If using August as a guide, Carlos Estevez pitched after Jairo Diaz on Saturday when trying to gauge the pecking order. However, Diaz owns the better numbers this month with a robust 13:1 K:BB, 2.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 8.1 innings. As for Estevez, his 5:4 K:BB this month in six innings includes a meltdown on the third when he did not retire a batter yielding two hits along with two walks leading to two earned runs. It remains to be seen who Black will turn to, but time will tell. Archie Bradley racked up his fifth save working around a solo home run by Charlie Blackmon preserving Arizona’s win. Bradley’s been scoreless in 16 of his last 18 appearances with a 1.30 ERA over 20.2 innings with 26 strikeouts. Yoan Lopez garners his second win inducing an inning ending double play.

Extra innings before a doubleheader does not bode well for the Angels and Rangers bullpen. Cam Bedrosian suffered his third blown save allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk with a strikeout. Consecutive singles by Hunter Pence and Rougned Odor tied the game for Texas versus Bedrosian who entered unscored upon in 11 of his previous 12 outings. Hansel Robles navigated 1.1 scoreless innings giving up a hit and a walk with a strikeout. Since June first, he’s recorded a 1.73 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 31.1 innings. Noe Ramirez incurs the loss serving up a walk and two hits in the bottom of the 11th resulting in his second loss. Jose LeClerc survived walking the bases loaded with two outs inducing a pop out to second base by Luis Rengifo. This marks LeClerc’s first three walk game since July 28th. He held on for his fifth straight scoreless contest, but his struggles usually include issuing free passes. Rafael Montero gets his second win logging two innings giving up two hits and two walks in them.

Save number five for Andrew Miller working 1.1 scoreless against the Brewers. Miller opted to work around Christian Yelich in the eighth inning with runners on second and third with two outs getting Mike Moustakas to ground out to second base ending the threat. Returning for the ninth inning, Miller retired all three Milwaukee hitters in a row closing out a win for St. Louis. Miller’s recorded three saves in the second half. This month, he’s allowed more walks (5) than strikeouts (4) registered. No longer a ratio protector, Miller maintains his value with ancillary save chances. Giovanny Gallegos notched his 12th hold with a scoreless inning. He did give up the only hit in the game to Yasmani Grandal, but been scoreless in 13 of 14 appearances in the second half with a 0.51 ERA and 20:5 K:BB over 17.2 innings since the break.

Holding on for his 24th save, Alex Colome yielded three hits leading to an earned run while striking out one in Minnesota. Although Colome owns a 1.37 ERA in save situations this year spanning 26.1 innings, he’s allowed runs in five of his last seven outings. He’s also given up multiple hits in three of these contests resulting in eight runs (three earned) and seven walks with nine strikeouts within this sample. Evan Marshall gets his 11th hold striking out one in a clean eighth inning. Aaron Bummer coughed up a solo home run to Jorge Polanco en route to his 17th hold allowing two hits with a strikeout.

Oakland will be adding some potential upside to its bullpen with A.J. Puk set to be activated prior to Tuesday’s game. Puk features a high-90’s fastball with a plus slider and a change-up in his arsenal. He’s allowed six runs as a reliever at Triple-A in 11 innings with 16 strikeouts against three walks. Puk recorded a 36.4 strikeout percentage while in the Pacific Coast League and could work his way into high leverage spots with a strong start. But, he’s more of a deep league target for fantasy purposes unless he can channel his inner Chris Sale from 2010 cutting his teeth in the majors as a relief pitcher for the White Sox (21 games, 23.1 IP, two wins, four saves, 34.8 strikeout percentage, 1.07 WHIP). Also of interest, Carlos Carrasco made his debut as a reliever with Double-A Akron last night:

Carlos Carrasco finishes off his inning with a strikeout and a roaring ovation. He threw 16 pitches, 9 for strikes.

0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K pic.twitter.com/FQO2RGMoRF

— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) August 20, 2019

Carrasco hit 97, 96, 96 and 96 MPH on the radar gun on his first four pitches returning from his treatments for Leukemia. Rooting hard for Carrasco not only to overcome his fight with leukemia, but to return for high leverage moments with Cleveland. With Brad Hand struggling of late, perhaps Carrasco could reprise the role of Cody Allen with Hand providing the Indians with match-up options late in games. It’s too early to predict, but not out of the realm of possibilities. Reports also indicate the Cubs will activate Steve Cishek before Tuedsay’s game having sent David Bote to Triple-A. This adds much needed length to its bullpen for the stretch run.

Quick Hits: Javy Guerra vultures the win taking over for Joe Ross in Pittsburgh. Guerra tossed 3.2 innings with a strikeout for the Nationals…Save number 22 for Ian Kennedy working around a solo home run to Rio Ruiz in the ninth. It’s his first run allowed since July 23rd snapping a seven game scoreless streak…Kirby Yates held on for his third straight save, and 36th this season. Yates allowed three hits, an earned run and hit a batter with a strikeout. He will get Tuesday off. Those chasing saves hope an Andres Munoz chance lies in the offing…Lucas Sims fired two clean innings for the Reds striking out three. He’s not given up a run in his last five contests (6.1 innings)…Roberto Osuna notched his 28th save yielding a hit with two strikeouts.

Tuesday night’s game in Cleveland was rained out, but the visiting Rangers generated one of the bigger stories regarding closers. Chris Woodward told Levi Weaver of The Athletic that José Leclerc would continue to be the team’s closer, even after Shawn Kelley’s (biceps) activation from the IL. Kelley was officially activated on Wednesday morning, and he will join the Rangers’ cadre of setup relievers, which also includes Jesse Chavez, Rafael Montero and the recently-promoted Emmanuel Clase.

Aside from a pair of subpar performances last week, Leclerc has been generally solid over the past month, as he did not allow a run in any of his 10 other appearances. In those outings, he struck out 10 batters over 8.2 innings with no walks and two hits allowed. However, Leclerc also compiled a 35.3 percent Zone% and a 29.3 percent O-Swing% over the entire one-month stretch, so walks could still be an issue going forward.
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While fantasy owners try to discern who could end up closing with so many situations in flux following the trade deadline, a change occurred in Colorado seemingly below the radar. Although Wade Davis only owns two blown saves, his home ERA (11.29 over 18.1 innings) and 1.74 WHIP this season sealed his fate moving forward. Scott Oberg will take over as closer going forward for the Rockies and, he could run with it. Over the last statistical year, here’s a comparison between the two pitchers:

• Oberg: 7 wins, two losses, four saves, 78.2 innings, 84:23 K:BB, 1.72 ERA, 3.19 xFIP, 0.93 WHIP, 20.5 K-BB percentage
• Davis: three wins, eighth losses, 27 saves, 52 innings, 61:24 K:BB, 5.71 ERA, 4.12 xFIP, 1.40 WHIP, 16.4 K-BB percentage

On Friday night, Oberg yielded two hits but emerged unscathed not giving up a run for his fourth save of the season. Jairo Diaz logged two scoreless innings allowing a hit with three strikeouts for his fourth win. There’s no guarantee Oberg will hold the position until the end of the season, but it’s in Colorado’s best interest to find out how he does in the role. Stay tuned.

For Jose LeClerc owners, the good news, he held on for his sixth save on Friday night. However, he also allowed two hits, two earned runs and two walks in the process. It’s been a tough year for LeClerc and when he struggles, it’s due to his command. Over his last two outings, LeClerc’s issued five walks in 1.1 innings. Jesse Chavez also yielded an earned run on three hits in the eighth inning. Keep tabs on newly promoted Emmanuel Clase. Armed with a fastball which can hit triple digits, he should make his debut this weekend with Texas. Clase converted 11 of 13 save chances in Double-A with 39 strikeouts against eight walks in 37.2 innings.

With both Ken Giles and Justin Shafer unavailable, Toronto turned to Derek Law for a two inning save. Law answered the call in spite giving up two hits and two wild pitches for two scoreless innings with one strikeout. This marks the first two inning save for the franchise since Roberto Osuna’s on June 22nd in 2015. As for the Blue Jays bullpen, when Giles returns he will get save chances but Shafer remains in the conversation and should not be dropped in 12-team or deeper formats for save speculators.

Perhaps a change in the bullpen hierarchy in Minnesota. Once again, newly acquired Sam Dyson struggled serving up four hits leading to three earned runs in the top of the eighth inning last night. Dyson departed with a runner on base stranded by Sergio Romo. Romo notched his first save with the Twins, and 18th this year working 1.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit with two strikeouts. Another day of rest should benefit Taylor Rogers but the closer chart reflects the change of Romo moving ahead of Dyson for save chances going forward.

It’s tough to ignore the wild 15 inning game between the White Sox and Phillies on Friday night. Philadelphia eventually lost with Roman Quinn on the mound. Due to Hector Neris serving a three-game suspension, he will not be available this weekend. Juan Nicasio entered the ninth inning for the save but served up a one-out double to Eloy Jimenez before striking out James McCann. Playing match-ups, Gabe Kapler replaced Nicasio with Jose Alvarez to face left-handed hitting Ryan Goins with two outs. Goins recorded an infield hit then pinch hitter Matt Skole singled to right field scoring Jimenez resulting in Alvarez’s second blown save. Then, things got crazy with Zach Eflin leaving the mound during his warm-up pitches in the top of the 14th inning due to triceps soreness. Ranger Suarez could not get loose to throw, so Quinn took the mound leading to Vince Velasquez playing left field. Velasquez threw one runner out at home, just missed a second assist and made a diving catch which made Statcast data take notice. After all of this, John Osich tossed two clean innings with two strikeouts in a White Sox win on the road. Alex Colome logged a scoreless ninth inning giving up a hit. For the Phillies, Blake Parker fired two clean innings with four strikeouts putting him on the radar for the next save chance with Neris out through Sunday.

Quick Hits: Felipe Vazquez worked a clean ninth with a four run lead…Save number 28 for Aroldis Chapman striking out one in a much needed clean outing after a rough July (11 walks in 8.2 innings). Zack Britton recorded his 21st hold with a clean eighth and Tommy Kahnle his 21st hold as well giving up a hit with a strikeout in the seventh. Kahnle owns a 0.66 ERA his last 14 appearances (one earned run in 13.2 innings)…Nathan Eovaldi worked his first clean outing this year as a reliever in the loss to New York. He’s been scoreless his last two games…Raisel Iglesias converted his 21st save with two strikeouts in a clean inning against Atlanta…Save number 24 for Sean Doolittle firing a clean ninth striking out one in Arizona…Kirby Yates recorded his first save since July 17th yielding a hit with a strikeout in Los Angeles. Yates has locked down 32 saves in 34 chances this year. Andres Munoz notched his second hold and has yet to give up a run in nine innings this year with a 11:2 K:BB and 0.56 WHIP.

The closer grid will likely look much different on Thursday, but for now, Felipe Vázquez, Alex Colomé, Raisel Iglesias, Ken Giles, Edwin Díaz and Shane Greene, among other potential trade candidates, have yet to switch teams.

The Mets did not shy away from using Díaz on Tuesday night, as he came in to protect a 2-1 lead over the White Sox in the bottom of the ninth inning. He was wild from the start, walking Ryan Goins on five pitches and, two batters later, he plunked James McCann on the shoulder. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and then Goins scored on Tim Anderson’s sacrifice fly. The Mets ultimately prevailed in the 11th inning, after Colomé shut them down in the 10th inning.
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The Rangers have not had a save opportunity since June 27, including in Sunday’s loss to the Astros. Yet Shawn Kelley, who had not pitched in a game in nine days, was warming up to enter the game with a three-run deficit in the eighth inning with two outs. Kelley felt soreness in his right biceps while throwing his warmup pitches and exited the game before throwing an official pitch. He is now expected to undergo an MRI.

Given that the Rangers have gone close to a month without a save opportunity, it’s hard to get a handle on what Chris Woodward’s preferences might be for handling save situations if Kelley has to miss time. Also, with the Rangers having lost seven games in a row and falling in the wild card standings, we can’t count on any particular reliever still being with the team on the other side of the July 31 trade deadline. However, it is highly unlikely they would trade Jose Leclerc, who signed a four-year, $14.75 million contract back in March, and it is also hard to see them dealing Chris Martin, who won’t be arbitration eligible until 2021.
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Unfortunately, the second half picked up where the tumultuous first half ended in terms of performances in high leverage. Both Josh Hader and Will Smith suffered blown saves in outings against their respective teams last night. Hader entered in the eighth inning serving up a lead-off home run to Tyler Austin. He settled in striking out Brandon Belt, getting Buster Posey to ground out and then a foul tip strikeout of Evan Longoria. Read the rest of this entry »

Alex Cora tabbed Matt Barnes as his highest leverage reliever in the preseason. This did not translate necessarily to usage exclusively like a traditional closer. Barnes faced the heart of the order in the seventh or eighth innings as necessitated trying to preserve wins for Boston. Last night, Barnes received a save chance but left after 17 pitches to some boos from the home crowd. Barnes induced a pop out on a bunt attempt by Delino DeShields but then yielded a single to Danny Santana, a double to Elvis Andrus and a two RBI single to Nomar Mazara blowing the win for Sale and resulting in Barnes fourth blown save of the season. Barnes bounced back to strikeout Hunter Pence and then walked Asdrubal Cabrera intentionally before departing. Read the rest of this entry »

I know we’ve heard this before, but Chris Woodward is saying once again that he is close to returning Jose Leclerc to the Rangers’ closer role. The last time Woodward raised this possibility, Shawn Kelley was on the verge of coming off the IL, and in a surprise move, he put Kelley in a save situation the day he was activated and five days after he had lumps removed from his vocal cords (which turned out to be benign).

Maybe Kelley staved off that seemingly inevitable move by nailing down the Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Orioles on Thursday night. If Leclerc is going to take his old job back, it won’t happen in Friday night’s series opener against the Athletics, as neither he nor Kelley will be available. While there is still a lull in Leclerc’s closer activity, now is the time to add him. He is still available in at least 40 percent of leagues on ESPN, CBS and Yahoo. Over his last 11.2 innings, he has been showing the form that made him one of the top relievers in the second half of 2018, posting a 1.54 ERA, 0.43 WHIP, 57.5 percent K% and 5.0 percent BB%.
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The ground ball has been Luke Jackson’s best friend this season, and on Tuesday night it was his worst enemy. Jackson is one of only two qualified relievers to have a ground ball rate above 70 percent (Zack Britton is the other), and that had helped him to compile a 2.31 ERA with six saves heading into the Braves’ series in San Francisco. He was called on to protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning on Tuesday night, and he began predictably enough by getting Evan Longoria to hit into a groundout. Then Brandon Crawford stung a line drive for a single, but Jackson struck out Steven Duggar to get on the cusp of his seventh save.

That’s when the parade of ground ball singles began. Kevin Pillar and Pablo Sandoval both got base hits on grounders that had xBAs of .250 and .090, respectively. Pillar’s single scored Crawford, and then both Pillar and pinch-runner Mac Williamson scored on a Joe Panik grounder that just eluded the outstretched glove of Ozzie Albies, giving the Giants a walk-off win.
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Just when it seemed safe to trust Mychal Givens, the implosion occurs. Givens entered last night’s appearance riding a six game scoreless streak with 11 strikeouts against four walks over nine innings with four saves. After giving up a home run to Gleyber Torres, who obliterates Orioles pitching, Givens returned for the ninth hoping to record a 1.1 inning save. Back to back singles by Brett Gardner and Cameron started the top of the ninth with immediate traffic, less than optimal. Givens induced a fielder’s choice ground out by D.J. LeMahieu, but the runners advanced leading to a sacrifice fly by Aaron Hicks. So, two outs and two runners on set the stage for a Luke Voit walk then a three-run go ahead home run by Gary Sanchez. Read the rest of this entry »