July 16, 2017
Texas Rangers — Alex Claudio notched his second consecutive save for the Rangers. Jose Leclerc got the last out of the eighth and came back out to start the ninth. However, after Leclerc walked the leadoff man, Claudio came on to face the lefty Hosmer. Claudio struck Hosmer out and then got Salvatore Perez to ground into a game-ending double play. Claudio still has some pretty significant splits (Lefties are only hitting .143 on the season while righties are hitting .287), but he moves to the top of the committee for now.
Updated hierarchy: *Claudio | Leclerc | Bush.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals — Another night, another awful showing by the Nationals’ bullpen. They were up 10-0 going into the eighth inning, but had to hold on for a 10-7 victory. It was Matt Grace for the second straight game recording the save. Both of Grace’s saves were not your normal save situations, so we won’t quite move him to the top of the committee yet. Either way, none of the relievers currently on the hierarchy figure to be a source of saves in a few weeks as we approach the trade deadline.
Updated hierarchy: *Albers | Grace | Romero.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox placed Joe Kelly on the disabled list with a sore hamstring. Matt Barnes should handle set-up duties, and Heath Hembree should see more time in the seventh inning while Kelly is out.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Barnes | Hembree.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Barnes – Craig Kimbrel threw 26 pitches yesterday and the Red Sox have a doubleheader today.
2. Chad Greene – Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances have both pitches in two straight and the Yankees are the other part of the doubleheader.
3. Nick Vincent – Edwin Diaz has gone in back-to-back games, including a 26 pitch outing yesterday. Vincent has also pitched in both games but was much more efficient (only 21 total pitches)
Monday
1. Jose Ramirez – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight.
2. Jacob Barnes – Corey Knebel has also pitched in two straight.
3. Brad Hand – Brandon Maurer too.
