Closer Report for Week 5

We have a few injuries to discuss, along with a few new set up men who you might want to target or keep on your radar if you are in need of saves.

Reds

Well, the Reds bullpen is a complete mess. This we know. I was watching the Reds-Giants game last night and after the Reds knocked Giants starter Johnny Cueto around for 6 runs and took a 6-3 lead, i wanted to see how manager Bryan Price used his relievers in the later innings. Well, after Brandon Finnegan left after giving up 3 runs in 6 innings, Price brought in JC Ramirez, who promptly gave up the lead, giving up 4 runs on 4 hits while getting just one out. There goes my chance to see who the Reds closer was for one night.

After seeing Ramirez give up the four runs, I tweeted the following:

We are never going to find out who the #Reds closer is. Ever.

— Ray Guilfoyle (@faketeams) May 3, 2016

Then, I saw this surprising stat via Twitter:

that would be 20 straight games the #Reds bullpen has allowed a run

— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) May 3, 2016

Then this one:

And in those 20 games, the Reds bullpen has allowed 20 home runs

— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) May 3, 2016

Ouch. Luckily for the Reds, they have a bunch of decent to very good arms in their farm system, some of whom will end up in the bullpen, and maybe one can actually close. Until then, we get to watch Ramirez, Caleb Cotham, J.J. Hoover, Blake Wood and Tony Cingrani. I think their best reliever is currently in AAA, Jumbo Diaz. I am not sure when he will be called up, but he has pitched well in his few appearances.

Orioles

Zach Britton injured his ankle trying to field a bunt on Sunday and is day to day with a sprained ankle. At this point, he is not going to be placed on the disabled list, but if he does, reports indicate that one of either Darren O'Day, Brad Bach or Mychal Givens would close in his absence. Britton has pitched well this season, saving 6 games with a 2.70 ERA, 71% ground ball rate while striking out nearly 12 batters per 9 innings.

Brewers

Jeremy Jeffress has a firm grip on the Brewers closer role, but he is not your typical closer, as he is not dominant, striking out under six batters per nine. While he doesn't strike out many batters, he does induce ground balls at a near-elite 55%. Tyler Thornburg has been a surprise in the Brewers pen, striking out 14 batters per nine innings, but with an elevated walk rate. Former closer Will Smith will begin his rehab from a torn LCL next week, and could make an impact upon his return. If he has a set back, he will more than likely elect to have surgery on the knee, ending his 2016 season.

Angels

Huston Street was placed on the disabled list with an oblique injury that will cost him at least a month. In his place, the Angels will use Joe Smith to close out games. Smith is no stranger to closing, as he has 24 career saves, but he is not one that I have much confidence in, thus the low ranking.

Marlins

Set up man David Phelps earned the save on Sunday with closer A.J. Ramos unavailable. Phelps has pitched well out of the pen this season, striking out more than a batter per inning, but his walk rate is above 4.00, so he needs to limit the free pass going forward. Ramos has saved 7 games thus far, and is striking out more than 12 batters per nine, but his walk rate is just under 8.00 BB/9 at the moment. He might be a few blown saves away from losing his job, with Phelps and youngster Kyle Barraclough next in line. Barroclough closed in the minors and is striking out more than 14 batters per nine with a low walk rate.

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