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.

Jose Leclerc looks like Texas’s playoff closer

September 28, 2023

Texas Rangers — Aroldis Chapman pitched the eighth with a two-run lead, facing the 8-9-1 hitters in the Angel lineup. Though the Rangers scored three more in the ninth, eliminating the save chance, it was Jose Leclerc who came out for the final inning. We’re going to move Jose to the top of this committee.

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

Chicago Cubs – It’s not official yet, but Adbert Alzolay believes he’ll be activated from the injured list on Friday. He should immediately return to the closer role, especially after Wednesday’s loss, which included blown saves by Mark Leiter Jr., Julian Merryweather, and Daniel Palencia.

Hierarchy remains: *Merryweather | Cuas | Leiter Jr.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — The day after Jose Alvarado and Craig Kimbrel pitched to a blown save, Philly turned to Gregory Soto in the ninth (after using Seranthony Dominguez in the fifth and sixth). Soto struck out the side and can be safely returned to the hierarchy for the final few games.

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

Minnesota Twins — Jhoan Duran was used in the seventh inning of a tight game (and struck out the side), so Dallas Keuchel got the eighth and ninth for Minnesota. Griffin Jax relieved him with one out to go and picked up a very vulturey save. In other news, Brock Stewart returned after a few months on the injured list and could return to high-leverage work just in time for the playoffs.

Hierarchy remains: Duran | Jax | Pagan.

San Diego Padres — The Padres’ big three all did their jobs to keep the game tied, and in the tenth inning, it was lefty Tom Cosgrove who earned his first career save.

Hierarchy remains: Hader | Suarez | Barlow.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jason Foley (DET) — The Royals and Tigers are playing a game and a half today.
2. Carlos Hernandez/Taylor Clarke (KC) — See above.

Friday:
1. Ian Hamilton (NYY) — An appearance today would be three in four days for Clay Holmes.

Rangers look to an old friend for 9th inning help

September 25, 2023

Cincinnati Reds – Coming off two rough outings on Wednesday and Saturday, the Reds opted to pitch Alexis Diaz in the 8th inning with a 1-run lead. Diaz did his job, leaving the 9th for Ian Gibaut, who converted for the save. Diaz had been so good all season long — save for the last two outings — and has been used as a traditional closer virtually the whole time, so we’re chalking this up as a blip for now. We will move Gibaut into the handcuff slot, though.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Gibaut | Sims.

Texas Rangers – With Will Smith scuffling for the past month or so, and Aroldis Chapman coming off back to back outings, the Rangers threw it back to 2022, relying on Jonathan Hernandez, Brock Burke, and then Jose Leclerc to navigate the late innings. It’s Leclerc’s 4th save of the season and his second in the past week, so we’ll move him up a rung in this patchwork committee.

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

Philadelphia Phillies – Craig Kimbrel had pitched three straight from Wednesday to Friday, and Jose Alvarado had gone in three of the last four, so the Phillies decided to look elsewhere to protect a seemingly-comfortable 3-run lead in the late innings. The strategy paid off, as the debuting Orion Kerkering (already a candidate for the hierarchy of top middle reliever names — watch out Arquimedes Caminero) and veteran Michael Lorenzen both pitched perfect innings to close out the Mets. It was Lorenzen’s first save of the year.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Tyler Rogers – Camilo Doval has gone two of three, including a loss last night.

Tomorrow
1. Bryan Abreu – If Ryan Pressly goes today, it’s back to back.
2. Matt Brash – Same for Andres Munoz.

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.

Ryan Helsley records first save since returning from injury

September 10, 2023

St. Louis Cardinals – Ryan Helsley pitched a scoreless inning for his first save since returning from the IL while Giovanny Gallegos got the 8th inning.  Helsey has four scoreless appearances since coming back and should be the best option for saves on any given night.

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

Texas Rangers — Aroldis Chapman worked around a pair of walks to pitch a scoreless inning and close out a 3-2 Rangers win.  Will Smith picked up the win with a scoreless 8th inning.  The Rangers have been struggling so there haven’t been a ton of save chances but Chapman has recorded the last two saves and should continue to lead this committee.

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

Detroit Tigers — Alex Lange went 1.1 perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts to pick up his 22nd save of the season.  Lange has cut his walks down and seems to be settling back into the role as he has recorded the last five saves for the Tigers.  We will get rid of the committee label and hope Lange can keep it going through the end of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Brieske.

Kansas City Royals – Austin Cox hurt his knee trying to cover 1st base and was placed on the 60-day IL.  The Royals bullpen is a mess and they haven’t had any save chances in September so it’s probably best to just avoid this situation.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC) – Adbert Alzolay has pitched in two straight.
2. John King (STL) – Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos have both pitched in two straight.

Monday
1. Shintaro Fujinami (BAL) – Yennis Cano threw 32 pitches yesterday and will likely get Monday off if he pitches again today.
2. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – If Emmanuel Clase pitches on Sunday, it will be four of five.
3. Kevin Ginkel/Scott McGough (ARI) – If Paul Sewald pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four. Same for Kevin Ginkel.