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.

Garrett Crochet and Jason Adam return

September 21, 2023

Chicago White Sox – Aaron Bummer and Bryan Shaw are in line for saves now that Gregory Santos is out for the year, but they’ll be joined in the bullpen by old friend Garrett Crochet. Although Crochet might be a starter next season, he’s likely to stay in relief for the next few weeks.

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

Chicago Cubs – Mark Leiter Jr. pitched in the sixth inning on Wednesday, with the Cubs down 8-6, and let three more runs score. We’ve got to think this gives Julian Merryweather the inside track at Chicago’s next save chance, with Adbert Alzolay and Michael Fulmer still out injured.

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

Milwaukee Brewers — Elvis has left the building, with righty Peguero hitting the injured list with right elbow trouble. He will miss the rest of the regular season, but could conceivably return for the playoffs. We’ve got Abner Uribe slightly ahead of Hoby Milner and Trevor Megill for the time being.

Updated hierarchy: Williams | Payamps | Uribe.

Tampa Bay Rays — Jason Adam was reinstated from the injured list Thursday morning and should be thrown right back into the Rays’ late-inning mix.

Updated hierarchy: Fairbanks | Adam | Poche.

Detroit Tigers — See! Will! Vest! See Will Vest! We’ll admit he’s not the best. But when the Tigers need a vulture, he’s the righty that they culture. Lange’s a mensch, but on the bench; had to get his arm refreshed. Holy moley, Jason Foley’s gotta sit and watch his homey — that’s Will Vest! Wasn’t stressed: he got five outs with flair and zest. Yes, Detroit chose to exploit their bullpen guest! Will’s ringing up the K’s, Thursday he’ll spank the A’s, see Will Vest, see Will Vest, seeeee Willll Vessssssssst!

Updated hierarchy: Lange | Foley | Vest.

Seattle Mariners — Protecting a three-run lead against the heart of the Oakland lineup on Wednesday, the Mariners went with top arm Andres Muñoz, which left Justin Topa to pull down the save against lesser hitters in the ninth. Muñoz is still the main guy here, but expect him to get the occasional high-leverage eighth.

Hierarchy remains: Muñoz | Brash | Topa.

Philadelphia Phillies — Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth in a tied game, leaving the tenth-inning save to Matt Strahm, making him the sixth Phillie reliever with at least two saves. Strahm, Gregory Soto, Jeff Hoffman, and Seranthony Dominguez are all neck-and-neck (and other-neck-and-other-neck) for that second-in-line spot in Philadelphia’s bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Alvarado | Dominguez.

Minnesota Twins — Jhoan Duran came into the game in the eighth inning to keep Minnesota within a run, so when Alexis Diaz gave up three in the ninth, it was Griffin Jax called on for the save.

Hierarchy remains: Duran | Jax | Pagan.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Shintaro Fujinami/Danny Coulombe (BAL) — Yennier Cano hasn’t thrown a lot of pitches lately, but an appearance Thursday would be his fourth in five days.

Friday:
1. Jason Foley/Will Vest (DET) — SEE…. WILL… Okay, we won’t put you through the reprise, but Alex Lange has had a lot of work lately and his backups could grab another save against Oakland.
2. Hunter Harvey (WAS) — Kyle Finnegan has pitched a lot recently.

Chris Martin closing for Boston this week

September 14, 2023

Boston Red Sox — As we alerted you yesterday, Kenley Jansen has COVID-19 and will be out at least seven days on that specialized IL. Chris Martin should be in line for whatever saves come in Jansen’s absence, with Josh Winckowski, Garrett Whitlock, and John Schreiber in the middle-innings mix.

Updated hierarchy: Martin | Winckowski | Whitlock.

St. Louis Cardinals — Ryan Helsley is pitching back-to-back again already and has three straight saves; let’s axe his asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: Helsley | Gallegos | King.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Carmen Mlodzinski’s second hold in two days officially makes him the third-best reliever on the fourth-best team in the fifth-best division in baseball. Get that on his surprisingly comprehensive Wikipedia page!

Updated hierarchy: Bednar | Holderman | Mlodzinski.

Atlanta Braves — Good show for the Vulture Save Watch, correctly tabbing Kirby Yates for Wednesday’s save with Raisel Iglesias and A.J. Minter each resting after three straight days of use.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Minter | Yates.

Miami Marlins — David Robertson isn’t closing for Miami anymore, but he’s found a pretty comfortable home in the seventh inning. Robertson is the only righthander in the Marlins’ top five relievers.

Updated hierarchy: Scott | Nardi | Robertson.

Tampa Bay Rays — Just when we thought the Rays had foresaken their eternal quest to spread out saves, Robert Stephenson earned his first of the season on Wednesday. We’ll keep an eye on it.

Updated hierarchy: Fairbanks | Poche | Stephenson.

Washington Nationals — Mason Thompson was optioned to Rochester on Wednesday, reopening the seventh inning for Jordan Weems.

Updated hierarchy: Finnegan | Harvey | Weems.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Garrett Whitlock (BOS) — The Red Sox play two against . . .
2. Tommy Kahnle (NYY) — . . . the Yankees.
3. Lucas Sims (CIN) — Alexis Diaz has pitched in two straight and three of four.
4. Justin Lawrence (COL) — Tyler Kinley has pitched in three of four.
5. Taylor Rogers (SF) — So have Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers.

Friday:
1. Colin Holderman (PIT) — David Bednar threw 30 pitches Wednesday and won’t go in three straight.

Jason Adam, Daniel Bard hit the IL

September 4, 2023

St. Louis Cardinals – JoJo Romero got a second day off after throwing 35 pitches on Friday, as did Ryan Helsley, who made his first appearance off the IL in the same game. That left the save chance to Giovanny Gallegos, who converted for his 10th of the season.

Hierarchy remains: *Romero | Helsley | Gallegos.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – After throwing 1.2 innings last night, Evan Phillips was apparently unavailable on Sunday, so Dave Roberts turned to Brusdar Graterol for the save. Graterol converted for his 7th of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Phillips | Graterol | Ferguson.

Colorado Rockies – Daniel Bard was placed on the IL over the weekend; we’ll see if this means more high-leverage chances for Tyler Kinley, who was recently activated and got a save on Saturday.

Updated hierarchy: Lawrence | Koch | Kinley.

Tampa Bay Rays – With Jason Adam hitting the IL over the weekend, look for Robert Stephenson — who picked up a hold on Sunday — to get more late inning chances.

Updated hierarchy: Fairbanks | Poche | Stephenson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jake Bird/Brent Suter – The Rockies’ top three arms are all likely down today, so we’re looking off hierarchy for the vulture save chance.
2. Andrew Kittredge/Chris Devenski – The Rays’ top three are also all likely down today, so here are two possible options for the 9th.
3. Lucas Erceg – Trevor May has gone back to back.

Tomorrow
1. Joel Payamps – If Devin Williams goes today, it’s three of four.
2. Lucas Sims – If Alexis Diaz goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
3. Jordan Hicks – Same for Jordan Romano.
4. Jose Alvarado – If Craig Kimbrel goes today, it’s back to back.
5. Austin Cox/Taylor Clarke – Same for Carlos Hernandez and Austin Cox…
6. Scott Barlow/Nick Martinez – …and Josh Hader and Scott Barlow…
7. Aaron Bummer – …and Gregory Santos…
8. Chris Martin – …and Kenley Jansen…
9. Danny Coulombe/Shintaro Fujinami – …and Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe.

Miami’s Tanner Scott notches save, further cementing role as Marlins closer

August 28, 2023

Miami Marlins – As we alerted, David Robertson was removed from the closer’s role before Sunday’s game, and the new closer, Tanner Scott, pitched well Sunday to earn his third save of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Scott | Nardi | Puk.

Texas Rangers – Will Smith notched a clutch strikeout against the only batter he faced to finish off the eighth inning in Sunday’s game, leaving Aroldis Chapman to handle the ninth inning in a save situation. Chapman did not deliver, though, allowing the tying run to send the game to extras. The Rangers eventually lost, which is something happening a lot lately. Texas has lost nine of 10, and the struggles in the late innings are a big part of it. It appears manager Bruce Bochy is starting to play the matchups again in the ninth inning, so we’ll slap on the committee tag with Smith still in the lead role, for now. 

Updated hierarchy: *Smith | Chapman | Sborz.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Erik Swanson was placed on the injured list with thoracic spine inflammation. Expect Yimi Garcia and maybe Tim Mayza to vie for saves when the Jordans (Romano and Hicks) aren’t available.

Updated hierarchy: Romano | Hicks | Garcia.

Boston Red Sox – Manager Alex Cora said Kenley Jansen was available to pitch Sunday. The Red Sox lost, so there was no save situation and Jansen did not play, but he should be presumed to be available moving forward.  

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski.

St. Louis Cardinals — Ryan Helsley resumed a rehab assignment on Sunday after his first one was paused over concerns about continued forearm discomfort. New imaging came back clean, allowing his return to action, though there is no timetable for his return to the majors. For what it’s worth, he did not pitch well in the rehab outing, allowing a couple of runs. 

Hierarchy remains: *Romero | Gallegos | Pallante.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays – The Vulture Save Watch projected a day off Sunday for Pete Fairbanks, but instead of turning to Colin Poche, manager Kevin Cash went with Jason Adam for the third time in four games. Adam nailed down his 12th save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Fairbanks | Adam | Poche.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Paul Sewald did not pitch Sunday, as forecast by the Vulture Save Watch, but it was Ryan Thompson who earned the save in his first game for Arizona, not Kevin Ginkel, who had already pitched Friday and Saturday. 

Hierarchy remains: Sewald | Ginkel | McGough.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brooks Raley (NYM) – Adam Ottavino has gone in two straight.
2. Shintaro Fujinami (BAL) – Yennier Cano has also gone in two in a row.
3. Griffin Jax (MIN) – Same as above for Jhoan Duran.
4. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – Evan Phillips has pitched in three of four.
5. Jordan Hicks (TOR) – Jordan Romano threw 36 pitches to record five outs Sunday and could need a breather.

Tuesday:
1. Andrew Nardi (MIA) – Miami is off Monday but new closer Tanner Scott might need a second day of rest after pitching Saturday and Sunday.
2. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – If he goes Monday, that would be two straight and three of four for Emmanuel Clase.
3. Matt Brash (SEA) – A Monday outing would be three of four for Andres Munoz.