Jansen shut down, Alzolay returns

September 30, 2023
Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox announced after last night’s game that Kenley Jansen will be shut down for the season, saying after not pitching for several weeks it wouldn’t be fair to him. This led to Garret Whitlock getting a 2 inning save last night. This means that Josh Winckowski will likely be in line for any save chance today, and Whitlock has a chance at a save on Sunday. John Schreiber fills out the end of the year hierarchy for the Red Sox, who have already started looking to next year.

Updated hierarchy: Winckowski | Whitlock | Schreiber.

Minnesota Twins — With a 1 run lead the Twins turned to Emilio Pagan in the 9th inning. He converted for his first save on the season. Pagan isn’t likely to be in line for any more saves this year, as he is slated to start today’s game, but the Twins will likely take it easy with the back end of their bullpen as they have locked in their playoff position already. 

Hierarchy remains: Duran | Jax | Pagan.

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds kept their playoff hopes alive with a 19-2 thrashing of the Cardinals last night. Having secured the game early they gave the ball to rookie Carson Spiers who pitched 3 clean innings for his first career save. Spiers doesn’t usually factor into the late innings plans, and with the Reds needing to win their last 2 games to have any chance to sneak into the post-season expect them to lean heavily on Diaz this weekend. 

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Gibaut | Sims.

Miami Marlins — Tanner Scott locked up his 11th save on the year last night, but the most important news out of Miami is that they will finish their game against the Mets which was suspended on Thursday as long as it matters for playoff seeding. It could be a play-in inning if things break the wrong way this weekend, but may only be to determine where Miami will be traveling to. Miami had just taken a 1 run lead in the top of the 9th inning, meaning Monday’s resumption will almost certainly be a save situation, If your league counts it (and you need one hero save), pay attention to Tanner Scott’s usage. If Scott pitches today and tomorrow he will have gone 3 in a row, opening the door for a vulture save on Monday. 

Hierarchy remains: Scott | Nardi | Robertson

Chicago Cubs – Adbert Alzolay was activated from the IL on Friday and pitched a clean 8th inning with the Cubs down 1. He is immediately the top choice for the Cubs, who have fallen apart in the last week of the season. Although he should get any save chance that pops up, the Cubs may be in desperation mode and bring him out earlier than the 9th if the situation warrants it.

Updated hierarchy: Alzolay | Merryweather | Cuas.

Vulture Save Watch:

  1. Aaron Bummer (CHW) — Bryan Shaw has pitched 3 in a row.
  2. Trevor Stephan (CLE) — Emmanual Clase has pitched in 2 of 3.
  3. Luis Garcia (SD) — The entire San Diego hierarchy has pitched in 2 of 3, and with the Padres being eliminated last night, they could all see rest this weekend.

For Sunday:

  1. Bryan Abreu (HOU) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Ryan Pressly
  2. Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) — Today would be 3 of 5 for David Bednar.

Aside from normal workload vulture saves, many teams have nothing to play for and may rest normal hierarchy options. The teams that can still affect their playoff seeding, and are likely to deploy their bullpens normally are:

American League:

  1. Texas Rangers
  2. Toronto Blue Jays
  3. Houston Astros
  4. Seattle Mariners

National League:

  1. Arizona Diamondbacks
  2. Miami Marlins
  3. Cincinnati Reds
  4. Chicago Cubs

Aroldis Chapman shaky again for Rangers; Tanner Scott back for Marlins

September 29, 2023

Texas Rangers — Jose Leclerc, who we like the most in the Texas bullpen, entered in the eighth inning on Thursday, tossing a scoreless frame. That left the ninth for Aroldis Chapman, who struggled again. He was charged with two runs on two hits and a walk and did not record an out. Jonathan Hernandez relieved him and got the first two outs before allowing a game-ending RBI double to J.P. Crawford. Leclerc is the best bet for saves this weekend, though Will Smith could be in line for one Friday because he is the most-rested member of the hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: *Leclerc | Chapman | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins — Thursday’s game against the Mets was suspended after the Marlins took the lead in the ninth inning. The game is set to resume Monday – after the regular season ends for everyone else. Whoever pitches — aside from Andrew Nardi, who got the final out of the eighth inning and could be in line for a win if he re-enters — will be facing a save situation. Meanwhile, Tanner Scott has been activated from the paternity list. 

Updated hierarchy: Scott | Nardi | Robertson

Baltimore Orioles – Baltimore won its 100th game Thursday and clinched the AL East title for the first time in nine years. Their strong bullpen carried them to the end in a tight game. After Yennier Cano and Cionel Perez finished things off in the eighth, former starter Tyler Wells shut the Red Sox down in the ninth for his first save. Perez has pitched in a lot of late-and-close situations lately and deserves recognition in this hierarchy. Shintaro Fujinami, meanwhile, will get the boot now that his ERA is near 5.00 in his time with Baltimore.

Updated hierarchy: Cano | Perez | Coulombe.

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox placed Chris Martin on the injured list with a viral infection. He ends the year with three saves, a 1.05 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 46 strikeouts across 51.1 innings. Garret Whitlock could see some extra late-inning looks this weekend.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Winckowski | Whitlock.

Milwaukee Brewers — Recalled from the minors earlier this week, Ethan Small was called into an unusual situation: the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He held it together, mixing in a couple of walks with a strikeout to earn his first career save. After the game, he told reporters he was surprised to enter the game at that time, adding that he needed a “win” in the majors “pretty bad.” While wins are important in fantasy baseball, we admire the chase for saves here at Closer Monkey, so well done, Mr. Small!

Hierarchy remains: Williams | Payamps | Uribe.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Aaron Bummer (CHW) – Bryan Shaw has gone in two straight.
2. Will Smith (TEX) – Jose Leclerc and Aroldis Chapman each have gone in two straight.

Saturday:
1. Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) – A Friday appearance would be three of four for David Bednar.
2. Jose Alvarado (PHI) – Same as above for Craig Kimbrel.
3. A.J. Minter (ATL) – An outing Friday would be three of four and four of six for Raisel Iglesias.
4. Matt Brash (SEA) – Andres Munoz also faces three-in-four and four-in-six if he goes Friday.

Two hits for the vulture save watch and updates from playoff contenders

September 24, 2023
Pittsburgh Pirates — As the Vulture Save Watch noted, David Bednar needed a rest last night, so the 9th inning duties fell to Carmen Mlodzinski. Mlodzinski allowed a run and let the tying run reach 3rd base before an 11 pitch strikeout and a flyout stranded the runner for the first save of his career. Mlodzinski has put together an excellent season, and is a bright spot for the forward looking Pirates, but expect David Bednar to continue to hold his spot in this hierarchy for the rest of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Bednar | Mlodzinski | Borucki.

Philadelphia Phillies — Score another for the Vulture Save Watch as Jose Alvarado was summoned to protect a 2 run lead. He got the job done for his 10th save on the year. The Phillies are close to securing a wildcard spot so the last week could see some more use of Alvarado and Dominguez as they ramp up for the playoffs. 

Hierarchy remains: *Kimbrel | Alvarado | Dominguez.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs – With a 1 run lead the Cubs turned to Julian Merryweather in the 8th inning, and although he struggled he escaped without giving up a run. This left the 9th not to Mark Leiter Jr. but to Jose Cuas who was acquired by the Cubs in a quiet trade with the Royals. The Cubs scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the 8th to make it a 3 run game, and Cuas converted the save for his first on the year. Mark Leiter has been reluctant to throw his splitter recently (by far his best pitch) and this usage suggests the Cubs don’t trust him without that pitch in his arsenal. We will bump him down for now while bringing Cuas up on the strength of his most recent save.  

Updated hierarchy: *Merryweather | Cuas | Leiter Jr.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox — Kenley Jansen was reinstated from the COVID IL, and although he didn’t pitch yesterday, he will resume closing duties for Boston. 

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski.

Tampa Bay Rays — Jason Adam was returned to injured list Saturday morning and will miss the rest of the regular season. Tampa Bay has locked up a playoff spot so they may be resting key parts of their bullpen anyway, but we expect Andrew Kittridge to see some more late inning looks without Adam.

Updated hierarchy: Fairbanks | Poche | Kittridge.

Chicago White Sox – Aaron Bummer took the 8th inning yesterday which left the 9th for Bryan Shaw. Shaw converted for his 3rd save on the year. We will swap these guys at the top of the hierarchy but with Santos out there is no clear cut number 1 in Chicago.

Updated hierarchy: *Shaw | Bummer | Crochet.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – Yannier Cano was called in to put a fire out in the 8th inning, and with the rest of the Baltimore hierarchy resting the save chance fell to Cionel Perez. Perez converted for his 3rd save on the year. With the Orioles having locked up a playoff spot, don’t expect them to stretch their top arms too far heading into the postseason. 

Hierarchy remains: Cano | Fujinami | Coulombe.

Kansas City Royals – The Royals cannot be stopped. Having won 4 in a row and 8 of their last 9 they gave the ball to Taylor Clarke for the last 2 outs of the 8th in a 1 run game. He got out of the jam, and stuck around for the 9th to land his 3rd save on the year. James McArthur had thrown 19 pitches the day before and was resting, but everything is working for Kansas City right now. Expect this bullpen to continue to be flexible with a week remaining, but McArthur is still the best arm to own. 

Hierarchy remains: *McArthur | Hernandez | Clarke.
* = closer-by-committee

Vulture Save Watch:

  1. Shintaro Fujinami (BAL) — Yennier Cano has pitched in back to back games and may get the day off.
  2. Jordan Hicks (TOR) — Jordan Romano has gone back to back and thrown 43 pitches in that time.
  3. Aaron Bummer (CHW) — Bryan Shaw has thrown back to back and 42 pitches.
  4. Jose Soriano (LAA) — Carlos Estevez has pitched in 3 of 4, including a 19 pitch save yesterday.
  5. AJ Minter (ATL) — The Braves have a doubleheader today…
  6. Hunter Harvey (WAS) — …against the Nationals.

For Monday:

  1. Kevin Ginkel (ARI) — The Diamondbacks play a doubleheader…
  2. Tommy Kahnle (NYY) — …against the Yankees.

James McArthur pitches his way to the top of the Royals’ hierarchy

September 23, 2023

Kansas City Royals – James McArthur pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts to pick up his second save.  McArthur has an ugly ERA because he gave up 7 earned runs in one inning in his first appearance of the season but he has reeled off nine straight scoreless outings and his WHIP on the season is under 1.00.  McArthur moves to the top of this hierarchy and could be worth a pickup for the last week of the season if you need some potential saves and strong ratios.

Updated hierarchy: *McArthur | Hernandez | Clarke.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates — Colin Holderman has been placed on the IL with a right thumb injury.  Ryan Borucki picked up the 7th inning hold yesterday and should see more time in the later innings while Holderman is out.

Updated hierarchy: Bednar | Mlodzinski | Borucki.

New York Yankees — Jhony Brito pitched the final 3.2 innings of a Yankees 7-1 win to pick up his first save.  In other Yankees’ bullpen news, Wandy Peralta was placed on the IL with a triceps injury.  Ian Hamilton will take his place on the hierarchy.  

Updated hierarchy: Holmes | Kahnle | Hamilton.

Boston Red Sox — Kenley Jansen remained out on Friday and Chris Martin pitched a perfect inning for his 3rd save of the season. 

Hierarchy remains: Martin | Winckowski | Whitlock.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – Emmanuel Clase has pitched in two straight, throwing a total of 57 pitches.
2. Griffin Jax (MIN) – Jhoan Duran has pitched in two of three, including a 34 pitch outing yesterday.
3. Jose Alvarado (PHI) – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in three straight.
4. Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) – David Bednar has pitched in two straight, throwing a total of 44 pitches.

Sunday
1. AJ Minter (ATL) – The Braves have a doubleheader on Sunday…
2. Hunter Harvey (WAS) – …against the Nationals.

Watch out for the red-hot Royals!

September 20, 2023

Kansas City Royals – Don’t look now, but the Royals have won six of their last seven games! Four different relievers have picked up a save in that span, with Collin Snider earning his first MLB save on Tuesday. Carlos Hernandez faced the 9-1-2 hitters in the eighth and gave up a homer, walk and single before being pulled for James McArthur, who struck out all three hitters he faced to continue a September to remember. McArthur has retired 31 of the 32 hitters he’s faced in September, striking out 11 and walking zero. Hernandez has basically done the opposite, allowing at least one run in five of his six September outings. This still isn’t a bullpen to trust (especially with three games against Houston on the horizon) but McArthur looks to be the best arm to own in Kansas City.

Updated hierarchy: *Hernandez | McArthur | Clarke.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers — The Rangers called on Aroldis Chapman to face Rafael Devers and Justin Turner with runners on second and third in a tie game. Chapman struck out Devers and got Turner to ground out to end the threat. Chapman stayed on for a 1-2-3 eighth when the Rangers regained the lead, which left the ninth for Jose Leclerc. The righty completed a perfect inning of his own for the save. Chapman remains the best bet for a save on any given night, but Tuesday proved the Rangers are willing to pitch him in what they deem is the most important spot, regardless of inning.

Hierarchy remains: *Chapman | Smith | Leclerc.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – With the Orioles leading by four, Jack Flaherty was in line for a three-inning vulture save. However, he allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth. Yennier Cano, who had pitched the previous two days, entered and gave up a single before inducing a double play. After a walk, which included a wild pitch, Brandon Hyde lifted Cano for Cionel Perez, who struck out Jordan Alvarez to collect the save.

Hierarchy remains: Cano | Fujinami | Coulombe.

Boston Red Sox — Kenley Jansen won’t rejoin the team in Texas – he’s projected to be back on Friday.

Hierarchy remains: Martin | Winckowski | Whitlock.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Shintaro Fujinami/Danny Coulombe (BAL) – Yennier Cano has pitched in three straight while Fujinami and Coulombe got yesterday off. It’s likely Brandon Hyde elects to play matchups if his team is leading in the final two innings.
2. Jason Foley/Will Vest (DET) – Alex Lange has gone in three of four, including a 24-pitch blown save last night. Foley has also gone in three of four, though he’s thrown far fewer pitches than Lange. Beau Brieske threw 30 pitches last night. If the Tigers somehow find themselves leading in the ninth inning, they may turn to Vest or even Jose Cisnero.
3. Collin Snider (KC) – Both Carlos Hernandez and Taylor Clarke threw over 25 pitches last night while James McArthur has gone in two straight and three of four, so the Royals could turn to Snider again.
4. Andrew Nardi (MIA) – Tanner Scott has gone in two straight and four of five. He needs a breather.
5. Hunter Harvey (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan has gone in three of four, including a 24-pitch save last night.
6. John King/Drew VerHagen (STL) – Ryan Helsley may get a second day off after working two straight games.
7. Robert Suarez (SD) – Josh Hader has thrown in two straight and three of four.

Tomorrow
1. Hunter Harvey (WAS) – If Kyle Finnegan does go today, it’s very likely he’s down on Thursday.
2. John King/Drew VerHagen (STL) – If Ryan Helsley ends up pitching today that will be three of four.