Coming off the All-Star break, I will focus on bullpens with possible trade implications and recent questions about who is the lead arm to close games.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Since June, Mark Melancon has had a 3.12 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 17.1 innings with 16 strikeouts. He converted four of his five save chances to push his season total to 14-for-16. Despite having plenty of saves on his career resume, Melancon hasn’t pitched well enough to be an arm of desire in the trade market.
Baltimore Orioles
After his first four months with the Orioles (1.71 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 19 saves in 23 attempts over 47.1 innings), Jorge Lopez should be shipped out of town to a contending team. He is on a minimal one year-contract, but Baltimore remains in the hurt in the AL wild-card race. Felix Bautista looks positioned to be their next closing option after extending his no-hit shutout streak to 7.1 innings with one walk and 11 strikeouts. He should be rostered in all leagues until the ball drops on the major league trade deadline.
Boston Red Sox
With the Red Sox struggling to win games, Tanner Houck hasn’t earned a save since June 25th. His command (six walks) started to go awry over his past nine innings, but he only allowed a pair of runs with five strikeouts and a blown save. His closing opportunity looks at risk with Garrett Whitlock now pitching in Boston’s bullpen. Over his first four appearances after coming off the injured list, he tossed six shutout innings with one hit, one walk, nine strikeouts, and a save.
Chicago Cubs
David Robertson expects to be traded over the next couple of days. He is 14-for-19 closing games with a 1.83 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts over 39.1 innings. Mychal Givens pitched his way into their closing conversation after improving his scoreless run to 16.1 innings with 18 strikeouts, and one save.
