Shawn Kelley still likely to get next Washington save opportunity

April 20, 2017

Washington Nationals — A 10-run win means the new Nationals closer committee will have to wait for its big debut. Expect Shawn Kelley to get the first shot, but because he probably won’t be used in back-to-back games, Koda Glover could see a fair amount of chances too.

Updated hierarchy: *Kelley | Glover | Treinen.
* = closer-by-committee

Detroit Tigers — The active leader in saves and goose eggs would have added another of each — and a Houdini! — Wednesday night, but second base sacked Jose Iglesias and the Rays walked off on a two-run throwing error. K-Rod should be looking over his shoulder at Justin Wilson, who has struck out 11 and allowed no hits over his first 7.1 innings.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | A. Wilson.

St. Louis Cardinals — As foretold by the Vulture Save Watch Wednesday morning, Seung Hwan Oh got the day off and Trevor Rosenthal earned his first save since his demotion last June. Rosenthal is throwing harder than ever, with a fastball averaging 98.8 MPH this season. If Oh continues to have problems, Rosenthal (who is only 26) could recapture the closer role.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Rosenthal | Siegrist.

Baltimore Orioles — It took only nine pitches for Brad Brach to lock down the first Orioles save chance since Zach Britton’s injury. Britton will have an MRI on Friday.

Hierarchy remains:  Brach | O’Day | Givens.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jacob Barnes — Neftali Feliz blew his first save of the season in dramatic style, with a walk-off three-run homer. Feliz threw 33 pitches Wednesday and has gone in three of four — as has Corey Knebel, who threw 30 himself. Barnes has pitched in those same three games, but with a lower workload. We’ll see if he gets a shot at his second career save.
2. Jeurys Familia/Fernando Salas — Familia returns from his 15-game suspension on Thursday, although he may be eased back into the closing role. Either way, Addison Reed probably gets the game off after his third appearance in four days.
3. Joakim Soria — Kelvin Herrera hasn’t thrown a ton of pitches, but he has appeared in two straight, four of five, and five of seven.

Friday
1. Ryan Buchter — Brandon Maurer should be available Thursday, but an appearance would be his third in four games.