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 because they have lost their job.
Craig Kimbrel remains a free agent.
ANGELS: Cody Allen doesn’t seem likely to get back the ninth any time soon. Since returning from the DL he’s worked nine innings allowing four runs, three homers, with six walks. Meanwhile, Hansel Robles continues to handle the ninth inning well. Over his last eight outings he’s allowed two runs while racking up a win and four saves. He’s also allowed just three hits in 8.1 innings. He’s starting to run away with the job.
ASTROS: Roberto Osuna has been terrific with 15 saves in 16 chances while posting a 2.13 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. He worked a clean ninth Tuesday night, a good thing to see after his recent work had been spotty at best (five runs on seven hits and a walk his pervious three outings). There’s no immediate concern despite the hiccup, unless his next couple of outings are similarly filled with issues.
ATHLETICS: Blake Treinen is the closer. Still. The HR/9 rate is five times higher than last year. The walk rate is almost double last year. His WHIP is up more than 50 percent. The GB/FB ratio has been cut in half. He’s been solid, but he’s just not the same elite level option that he was last season.
CARDINALS: Jordan Hicks has 10 saves. But, he’s the owner of a mere 68 percent left on base percentage which is awful. Moreover, Hicks has allowed five runs his last three outings as he’s picked up just seven outs. He’s still throwing as hard as ever, but he’s looked shaky of late. Meanwhile, Andrew Miller may have finally found his groove. Over his last 11 games he’s allowed two runs, walked just two, struck out 12 and posted a 0.80 WHIP.
CUBS: Pedro Strop (hamstring) is set for a final rehab outing in Iowa Thursday, and if that goes well, he could be brought back to the Cubbies. He figures to quickly jump back into the 9th inning mix. When healthy, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the job isn’t his. Steve Cishek has a save in 3-of-5 outings but he blew the game the last time out.
PHILLIES: Pat Neshek is likely out for a good deal of time with right rotator cuff inflammation. The lead reliever here is Hector Neris. He has a save in 5-of-6 outings and he’s allowed a run in one of 12 outings.
RANGERS: We all keep kinda waiting for Jose Leclerc to take over the ninth inning. Doesn’t seem to be happening. First, Leclerc is getting hurt because of new shoes. Then he is being used at an Opener. Shawn Kelley is in the driver’s seat with four saves in his last five outings. It seems like he has some rope now, though Leclerc is lurking and figures to get back in there in the 9th at some point.
RED SOX: Ryan Brasier is not the closer, despite leading the team in saves (six). Brasier allowed three runs the last time out, his first outing in five that wasn’t clean. That said, his May has been a mess (3 HRs, 10 R and five walks in nine innings). There really isn’t a closer with the team right now. Matt Barnes has been dominant, but like many other teams using their best reliever when the game requires it, and that is often not in the 9th inning (he was pulled for a matchup thing Tuesday leading to Brasier’s meltdown in yet another example of overmanaging). Really, it’s a three man show right now with Brasier on the outside looking in.
ROCKIES: Chad Bettis has been much better since he turned reliever, and he picked up a save in the Rockies last game. That said, it was a two-inning effort, and he was only called on cause Bryan Shaw had been used in back-to-back games. Long, short, Scott Oberg is still the closer right now. Of course, he’s only holding the gig until Wade Davis returns from his oblique issue. Davis played catch Fri-Sunday, and it sounds like mound work will begin this week. He’s getting closer.
ROYALS: Another week without any answers. Ian Kennedy is the leader with two saves. He allowed three runs in his last outing, and that’s now eight runs in eight innings in May. Wily Peralta has worked five scoreless outings while walking just one batter. Scott Barlow has allowed eight runs his last 5.1 innings, his first real hiccup of the season. Over his last 10 games, Brad Boxberger has been scored on only once, but he still has a 1.29 K/BB ratio even though he’s allowed just five hits in 10.2 innings.
