The 2019 season is underway and, predictably, it’s a disaster. Some teams seem to have no plan at all. Other teams are continually searching for answers to get the last out, either because of poor performance or injury. Very few are the situations that have nary an issue. Each week we will try to get a handle on who the closer is, who is next in line and who is bringing up the rear as the third option in the pen. We will do our best, though it’s likely that the teams will not comply fully as we hope.
THE 2019 CHART
GREEN – There is a closer who has the role on lockdown.
WHITE – There is clarity as to who the closer is, but there is some uncertainty about his ability to hold on to the role.
RED – There is no clarity as to who the closer is, or what the true plan is for the 9th inning.
This is NOT a rankings list. It merely lists all 30 team situations in one of three categories (the teams are not listed in a ranking order even on the tier – they are just listed by tiers).
Before you panic with your closer, make sure you check the recent usage. Many times, guys go 2-days in a row and then get a rest, which is why they aren’t getting a save chance in game #3, not cause they have lost their job.
Craig Kimbrel remains a free agent.
ANGELS: Cody Allen was demoted, and then placed on the DL. He’s back now and likely will factor into the 9th inning pretty quickly if he looks sharp. If he struggles, it’s unclear what the team would do. Ty Buttrey was my expectation to fill the role, but Hansel Robles appears to be the lead dog at the moment. Buttrey has been their best relievers, 11.0 K/9, 1.50 BB/9, 1.00 ERA, but he’s being used more when the game is on the line, with Robles working more of the traditional “closer” role in the 9th inning.
BRAVES: A.J. Minter got one out and allowed two runs Wednesday night. He’s just not right. Through 11 innings he’s allowed 11 runs while walking eight. The only thing getting him work in the 9th right now is reputation. He’s just not right. Luke Jackson has pitched better, by a ton, and hasn’t allowed a run since March. He’s up to 19 Ks in 16 innings, and he’s walked just one batter in six outings and should be added everywhere he’s available.
BREWERS: Josh Hader’s last eight games: 26 strikeouts out of 28 outs. How is that possible? He’s also allowed four homers and six runs leading to a 5.79 ERA. Meanwhile, Jeremy Jeffress is finally rounding into form. “That’s three straight outings seeing this stuff. We’re all really encouraged. I think he’s encouraged,” said manager Craig Counsell. Jeffress velocity is up about two mph as he’s been working on getting his lower half more involved. “It’s just using my butt more,” said Jeffress.
CUBS: Pedro Strop has a Grade 2 hamstring strain, and that type of injury takes 3-4 weeks to recover from in many instances. The Cubs won’t name a closer. They will go with a committee. “It’ll be all the guys. It’ll be everybody. It’ll be Cishek. It’ll be Brach. It’ll be Kintzler. It’ll be Carl. It’ll be Kyle Ryan. I think Montgomery’s capable,” said manager Joe Maddon. Ryan started the 9th Wednesday, before the team turned to Steve Cishek. Cishek the last three years looks very much like Aaron Nola last year (2.37 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 over 212.1 innings) – 2.36 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 over 179 innings, and he would appear to be the best bet to lead the group in saves the next month, but note that does not mean you should be spending big to add him as it’s certainly possible this becomes a Rays’ bullpen type situation.
MARINERS: Anthony Swarzak has stunk it up when given the chance. That’s not even strong enough. He’s allowed seven runs his last three outings, and he’s remarkably given up at least a run in 7-straight outings. How is that even possible? Roenis Elias has allowed three runs his last four outings, but he’s only walked two his last eight outings. Elias has punched out eight batters his last five innings, not the norm for him but impressive. Hunter Strickland (lat) is set to start throwing Monday. He could return to take over the 9th inning in late May.
RANGERS: Jose Leclerc has worked two scoreless outings, and he’s been unscored upon in 4-of-5 outings. He’s only walked one batter in three outings while striking out five. He’s inching closer to grabbing the 9th inning gig again. The walks are the key as he’s issues 10 free passes in 13.2 outings, but again, just one in four innings. Meanwhile, Shawn Kelley is working on 7-straight scoreless outings and he’s walked one batter this season.
NOTE: Kelley has been placed on the IL with an infecton. Chris Martin is also in the mix now with Leclerc and Jesse Chavez. In fact, one of the beat writers believes it is Martin’s job.
RAYS: Emilio Pagan (three saves), Jose Alvarado (four) and Diego Castillo (four) are clearly splitting ninth inning work. Castillo has eight holds, Alvarado four and Pagan one. Games finished: Alvarado (eight), Castillo (six), Pagan (four). This team has a plan, but we just don’t have access to it which is causing one of the most frustrating situations in all of baseball in that bullpen. Hell, the Rays have five other pitchers who have finished three games this season. It’s remarkable how they are using their arms, but there is no clarity, just frustration to be found here.
REDS: Raisel Iglesias is not happy with how he’s been used. I get it. Still, he’s just not performing while allowing four runs his last four outings (3.1 innings). He’s allowed four homers on the year, two in three outings, while also dominating with a 14.26 K/9 rate.
ROYALS: Ian Kennedy has two saves, one more than Wily Peralta and Brad Boxberger and Scott Barlow. No one is racking up saves. Peralta has finished 10 games to lead the team, two more than Kennedy and four more than Boxberger. Kennedy has pitched the best with 23 strikeouts, two walks over 17.1 innings. He’s pitched the best.
TWINS: Blake Parker is the closer. He’s allowed one run in 12 outings and leads the team with six saves. Taylor Rogers has four saves and a dominant 22 strikeouts in 15.2 innings, and he’s getting ninth inning looks here and there. Still, he’s allowed 18 hits leading to a poor 1.40 WHIP.
