May 20, 2017
Milwaukee Brewers — Corey Knebel got the night off after pitching in four of the last five games, but it was Carlos Torres who got the save opportunity over Jacob Barnes. Barnes has pitched the eighth in the last three games where all of the Milwaukee hierarchy has been available, so we still see him as Knebel’s main understudy. Both Barnes and Torres had pitched a lot recently going into last night’s game; Craig Counsell may have preferred to put the miles on the veteran.
Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Barnes | Torres.
Arizona Diamondbacks — With Arizona up 10, they handed the ball to Randall Delgado for the last three innings and he picked up a cheap save. You know the routine: send us proof ([email protected]) that you started him yesterday. The first person to respond gets free Closer Monkey Premium, and the next three get to sponsor an email!
Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Bradley | Hoover.
Minnesota Twins — Taylor Rogers pitched a perfect ninth inning for the Twins, his sixth straight scoreless appearance. Rogers has 11 holds on the year, tied for second behind Adam Ottavino in all of baseball. His usage still suggests lefty specialist — he’s thrown only 53 pitches over his last eight appearances combined — but he could push Matt Belisle for vulture opportunities in what has been a very poor bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: Kintzler | Belisle | Rogers.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Drew Storen — Raisel Iglesias threw 16 pitches last night and 31 on Wednesday. With Bryan Price reluctant to use relievers on back-to-back days, Storen may get any save opportunity today.
2. Joakim Soria — Kelvin Herrera has thrown 42 pitches over the last two days.
3. Trevor Rosenthal — Seung Hwan Oh has thrown 56 pitches over three days.
4. Sam Dyson — Matt Bush has pitched back-to-back and in three of four, while Keone Kela threw 32 pitches yesterday (2 IP).
Sunday:
1. Tommy Kahnle — David Robertson went two innings on Friday; a Saturday appearance will earn him a day off.
2. Arodys Vizcaino — Jim Johnson has pitched in three of four, so he’ll likely get Sunday off if he pitches today.
3. Hansel Robles — Addison Reed has gone in two of three (43 pitches).
4. Danny Farquhar — Alex Colome has pitched in three of four.
5. Matt Barnes — Craig Kimbrel has gone in three of four.
