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Well, we all (or at least a lot of us) complained about all the changes to baseball, but I'll go right ahead and admit it: the Wild Card round was a lot of fun and exciting even though my team didn't make it anywhere close to it. The Rays, Cardinals, Mets, and Blue Jays saw their seasons end, leaving us with eight teams still competing for a World Series Championship.
Of those eight teams left, four have a solid, every-ninth-inning closer. The other four have some sort of committee approach to their closer role. If that doesn't tell you everything you need to know about baseball in 2022...Last week, we checked on all the playoff bullpens, this week we'll look at the bullpens of the teams that are left. Four committees, four closers. Let's go.
Be sure to also keep an eye on our RotoBaller Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves Bullpen Depth Charts. They're updated daily, or sometimes even more often in this wild 2022 baseball season.
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Cleveland Guardians - Bullpen and Closers News
Emmanuel Clase is perhaps the most firmly entrenched closer left in the playoffs. He's pitched 2 1/3 postseason innings, earning a save while retiring all seven batters he's faced, striking out two. After being one of the better closers in baseball in the regular season, he's kept it up in the postseason.
Seattle Mariners - Bullpen and Closers News
Paul Sewald is the leader of the Mariners committee and finished up the season pretty close to being a full-time closer. His playoff numbers have been less than stellar, though. He's pitched just 1 1/3 postseason innings but has allowed six runs on four hits and two walks. There's plenty of reason to believe he'll do way better next time out, but Andres Munoz and Erik Swanson could see some ninth-inning work as well. Munoz was the only reliever the Mariners used in Game 2.
New York Yankees - Bullpen and Closers News
The Yankees bullpen should be well rested after getting a bye in the Wild Card round, but that doesn't mean it will be set up the way they want it to be. Aroldis Chapman's Yankees career is likely over after he chose not to attend a mandatory team workout. Scott Effross won't pitch again for a while as his elbow injury has been determined to require Tommy John Surgery to repair. Jonathan Loaisiga, Clay Holmes, and Wandy Peralta will mix and match for ninth-inning work, with Lou Trivino possibly jumping in for a chance.
Houston Astros - Bullpen and Closers News
The Astros bullpen is another one that has a solid, fairly entrenched closer in Ryan Pressly. Pressly pitched in Game 2 and earned the save with a scoreless inning, although he did allow a hit and a walk. Rafael Montero ended up with a win in Game 1 and a hold in Game 2, and he should be the key setup guy throughout the playoffs for Houston.
Philadelphia Phillies - Bullpen and Closers News
The Phillies lost one of their key bullpen pieces when part-time closer David Robertson had to be left off the NLDS roster due to a strained calf he suffered while celebrating in the Wild Card round. While the Phillies were using a committee to wrap up the season, they may move to just Seranthony Dominguez in that role now that Robertson is hurt. Dominguez has pitched 2 2/3 postseason innings so far, allowing just one hit while striking out five. Jose Alvarado and Brad Hand should see high-leverage work as well.
San Diego Padres - Bullpen and Closers News
The Padres have their work cut out for them, facing the best team in baseball that thoroughly and easily handled them throughout the season. They're off to a decent start though, with a 1-1 tie in the NLDS against the Dodgers. Josh Hader has pitched 2 1/3 playoff innings, including a four-out save in Game 2 this week. He's allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two. The Padres bullpen in general has been very impressive so far in the postseason, but Hader's hold on the ninth inning is safe.
Atlanta Braves - Bullpen and Closers News
The Braves bullpen took a slight hit with the news that Tyler Matzek would require Tommy John Surgery, but the three top guys in their pen are just fine. They were able to do things exactly as planned in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies, getting six innings from their starter then one inning each from A.J. Minter, Raisel Iglesias, and Kenley Jansen. That's the trio the Braves would want to roll out every game with a lead. Jansen's ninth inning is safe, as his playoff experience is likely valued over Iglesias' hot streak.
Los Angeles Dodgers - Bullpen and Closers News
The Dodgers bullpen will be without their saves leader, at least for the Division Series. Craig Kimbrel led the Dodgers in saves with 22, with no one else saving any more than five games. But his recent struggles meant the Dodgers just had no room for him on the NLDS roster. Evan Phillips figures to work in the highest leverage role, but Alex Vesia and Tommy Kahnle will see significant work as well. It could be an all-out, matchups-based committee for LA.
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