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.

Tanner Scott placed on paternity list

September 27, 2023

Miami Marlins — Tanner Scott was placed on the paternity list Tuesday, which means the Marlins will turn to Andrew Nardi, David Robertson and A.J. Puk to close games over the next couple days as they fight for a playoff spot.

Updated hierarchy: *Nardi | Robertson | Puk.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. David Robertson (MIA) – The Marlins have a doubleheader…
2. Drew Smith (NYM) – …against the Mets
3. Ian Hamilton (NYY) – Clay Holmes has gone back-to-back.
4. AJ Minter (ATL) – Raisel Iglesias has pitched in two of three and the Braves aren’t likely to make him go three of four as they get ready for the playoffs.
5. Ian Gibaut (CIN) – Alexis Diaz has pitched in three of four, but the Reds are fighting for a playoff spot and have Thursday off, so they may pitch Diaz anyway.

Tomorrow
1. Shintaro Fujinami (BAL) – If Yennier Cano goes today it’ll be two straight.
2. Jordan Hicks (TOR) – The same is true of Jordan Romano.
3. Matt Brash/Justin Topa (SEA) – It’s also true for Andres Munoz and the entire Seattle hierarchy.
4. Carmen Mlodzinski/Ryan Borucki (PIT) – Same for David Bednar and the Pittsburgh hierarchy.
5. Justin Lawrence/Jake Bird (COL) – Ditto for Tyler Kinley and the Colorado hierarchy.
6. John King/Drew VerHagen (STL) – And for Ryan Helsley.

Jose Alvarado has more September saves than Craig Kimbrel

September 22, 2023

Philadelphia Phillies — On Thursday, Jose Alvarado notched his third save in September — in all of the saves, Craig Kimbrel served as his setup man, so this situation definitely has entered committee status. Kimbrel himself has just two saves in September.

Updated hierarchy: *Kimbrel | Alvarado | Dominguez.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels – Rookie fireballer Ben Joyce returned earlier in September after a multi-month absence and has looked impressive, striking out four in four scoreless innings, including an eighth-inning hold Thursday. Jimmy Herget served as an opener earlier this week, so that’s enough evidence for us to slide Joyce back into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Soriano | Joyce.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – Evan Phillips has gone in two straight.

Saturday:
1. Shintaro Fujinami (BAL) – An outing Friday would be four of six for Yennier Cano.
2. Jose Soriano (LAA) – Carlos Estevez threw 29 pitches in a rough outing Thursday and if he goes Friday he’d very likely be out Saturday.

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.

Justin Lawrence returns to the ninth inning

September 13, 2023

Colorado Rockies – It looks like Justin Lawrence is back in the high-leverage mix for the Rockies, as he closed out Tuesday night’s win with his 11th save of the season. Tyler Kinley was likely down after two straight days of work, but we’ll keep an eye on this to see if it turns into a committee.

Updated hierarchy: Kinley | Lawrence | Bird.

Atlanta Braves – For the second straight night and the fourth time in five appearances, Raisel Iglesias allowed a run, this time giving up a leadoff homer that sent Tuesday’s game to extras. After Atlanta regained the lead in the 10th, Brad Hand retired all three batters he faced for the save. Iglesias now has two blown saves in a row, but those are his first blown saves since June 12, so we don’t expect him to be in any danger of losing his job. If anything, the Braves will likely be cautious with Iglesias once they clinch the NL East title.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Minter | Yates.

Boston Red Sox – Kenley Jansen left Tuesday night’s game because of fatigue and illness symptoms, which makes sense because we’d be sick and tired of being on the Red Sox too.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski.

New York Yankees — After all three members of the Yankees’ hierarchy pitched in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader sweep of the Red Sox, Nick Ramirez finished off the nightcap with a perfect ninth inning for his first career save.

Hierarchy remains: Holmes | Kahnle | Peralta.

Cincinnati Reds – All three Reds hierarchy members had already pitched, so Buck Farmer collected a 10th-inning save on Tuesday.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Sims | Gibaut.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Chris Martin (BOS) – Jansen may be unavailable today after leaving yesterday’s game.
2. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – Emmanuel Clase has gone back-to-back.
3. Jason Foley (DET) – Alex Lange has gone in three of four.
4. Lucas Erceg (OAK) – Trevor May has thrown in two straight.
5. Kirby Yates (ATL) – Both Raisel Iglesias and AJ Minter have gone in three straight.
6. Seranthony Dominguez/Gregory Soto (PHI) – Craig Kimbrel and Jose Alvarado have both pitched back-to-back days while Dominguez threw 24 pitches last night.
7. Robert Suarez (SD) – Josh Hader may get a second straight night off after throwing 43 pitches on Monday.

Tomorrow
1. Colin Poche (TB) – If Pete Fairbanks pitches today that will be three of four.
2. The Rogers Brothers (SF) – The same is true for Camilo Doval and for Tyler Rogers.
3. Tommy Kahnle/Wandy Peralta (NYY) – If Clay Holmes pitches today that will be two straight and three of four, which is also true of both Kahnle and Peralta.
4. Griffin Jax (MIN) – If Jhoan Duran goes today that will be two in a row.
5. Lucas Sims (CIN) – Same for Alexis Diaz….
6. Joel Payamps (MIL) – …and Devin Williams.