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.
ATHLETICS: Blake Treinen is 9-for-11 in saves, but his numbers are well off last years pace. His K/9 rate has fallen from 11.20 down to 9.64, and his walk rate has exploded as he’s add two points to his mark from last season at 4.24 per nine. His ground ball rate is also down seven percent, so after five years with a GB/FB ratio of 2.18 or better the mark is at 1.25. He’s just not right at the moment.
BRAVES: Arodys Vizcaino was dealt to the Mariners, and one of the pieces the braves received was Anthony Swarzak. Luke Jackson is struggling, at the worst time. His last two times out there he’s allowed four runs while generating just five outs. He’s still in the lead for 9th inning work, but Sean Newcomb is lurking. The lefty has made seven appearances since being recalled and he hasn’t allowed a run or a walk with eight strikeouts over 8.1 innings. He also picked up a save in his last outing. He could get more 9th inning work.
MARINERS: This team is just waiting on the impending return of Hunter Strickland (the target is middle of June). Roenis Elias has allowed three runs his last two outings, and in a turn that former teammate Anthony Swarzak would appreciate, he’s devolved into a total mess with some hideous May numbers: 7.04 ERA, 5.87 BB/9, 2.35 HR/9 and a 1.70 WHIP.
MARLINS: Drew Steckenrider doesn’t need surgery. He can’t return until at least July though. Sergio Romo has the job right now, even though he really hasn’t pitched well with a terrible 1.80 K/BB ratio and a massive 5.29 BB/9 rate. He also has a 3.38 ERA in May, though FIP (5.83) and xFIP (4.94) clearly tell more of the truth of how he is pitching.
METS: The club has said all along that Edwin Diaz will only work one inning. Not so much anymore as they have announced that he could be used for multi-inning saves. Diaz is 11-for-11 in save chances, and he currently has 18.2 innings in 20 outings.
NATIONALS: Sean Doolittle has a blow for the ages Wednesday night as he imploded allowing a homer and four runs without recording a single out. He’s still the undisputed closer, but his numbers, after that beat down, do lag behind expected levels. Sean should be fine, performance isn’t an issue, with health being the biggest issue (the last four seasons he’s never reached 52 innings).
PHILLIES: Juan Nicasio got a 10th inning save. The next night, he got a second straight save as it seemed likely that Hector Neris was unavailable for the second outing. We’re continually guessing with Gabe Kapler, but it still seems like Neris is the guy, while Pat Neshek may not be at 100 percent. Neris hasn’t allowed an earned run in nine outings as he’s posted a 10 Ks and four saves across nine innings.
RANGERS: Shawn Kelley has returned from the IL to rack up two saves. Still, a recent report suggested that Jose Leclerc could return to closing duties at any time. That same report also said that manager Chris Woodward didn’t want to use Kelley a save chance his first time back out there. Let’s just say that Mr. Manager wasn’t being truthful. Not only did he give Kelley the save chance his first game off the IL, he also gave him the save chance the very next day as well (both converted). Yes, it’s a messy situation in Texas.
RAYS: Still searching for the rules here. It’s a guessing game every week if we’re being honest. Jose Alvarado blew a game against the Yankees, but the very next game he was out there generating his fifth save of the year. Diego Castillo allowed three runs his last time out picking up the loss. That ended a stretch of 9-straight scoreless outings. He has save or hold in 9-of-11 outings. Emilio Pagan has three saves, though his last one was way back on April 27th.
ROYALS: Ian Kennedy still leads the team with two saves. Scott Barlow is the name to note here. In 17 outings he’s produced a win, a save, three holds and 38 punchouts in 24 innings (14.25 K/9). He’s wiping out batters with his slider, a pitch he’s throwing more than his fastball (46 to 40 percent).
RED SOX: Craig Kimbrel anyone? Ryan Brasier leads the team with six saves. He’s walked four men in four outings during which time he has one strikeout. He’s been up and down and his last save was April 21st. At best, he’s in the 9th inning mix. Matt Barnes has been the best arm in the bullpen with a massive 16.20 K/9 and 9.00 K/BB ratio. Toss in a 62 percent ground ball rate and a 0.75 WHIP and you have one hell of a season going on. Marcus Walden has six victories with a 10.48 K/9 rate, and Brandon Workman recently picked up his first save of the year, though a 6.85 BB/9 rate is extremely worrisome. It’s a mess here without much clarity at all.
TIGERS: Shane Greene is 15-for-15 in save conversions. He has a 1.35 ERA and 0.75 WHIP.
WHITE SOX: Alex Colome is 9-for-9 in save conversions. He has a 1.83 ERA and a 0.61 WHIP.
