Can Cody Allen get on a roll for Cleveland?

July 28, 2018

Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen pitched in the 7th inning of a tie game last night and ended up getting the win. Allen, who faced the 2-3-4 hitters, has been struggling for the past couple of months (7.41 ERA since the start of June) and manager Terry Francona has indicated that he plans to mix and match with the late innings for now to try to “get [Allen] on a roll.” With the acquisition of Brad Hand, and with Andrew Miller returning from the DL soon, the back end of Cleveland’s bullpen is about to get very crowded. Francona has stuck with Allen through many ups and downs, and Friday was a solid outing, but the leash is definitely getting shorter.

Hierarchy remains: *Allen | Hand | Cimber.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers — The trade market for Keone Kela seems to be heating up, as the Rangers have continued to slide out of the playoff picture. The latest rumor has him going to Pittsburgh, where he probably sets up Felipe Vazquez, at least initially. This deal has been in the works for a couple of days, but with the trade deadline looming it may happen this weekend. If Kela is traded, we expect Jake Diekman to have the inside track for save opportunities, but it will certainly be a committee that also includes Jose Leclerc.

Hierarchy remains: Kela | Diekman | Leclerc.

St. Louis Cardinals – In a move that has been brewing since April, Greg Holland was designated for assignment yesterday, meaning the Cardinals paid him almost $200,000 for each out he recorded. He ended his time in St. Louis with zero saves, two holds and a 7.92 ERA. The Cardinals also DFA’d Tyler Lyons, sent Sam Tuivailala to Seattle and placed Brett Cecil on the DL in one of the biggest bullpen restructurings in recent memory. Bud Norris and Jordan Hicks remain the best options for the Cardinals, and we expect Luke Gregerson to see an increased role now that the path has cleared, though Mike Mayers did get a seventh-inning hold last night. Keep an eye on Dakota Hudson, who was called up in the flurry of moves. He will start in the bullpen and was having an excellent year in Memphis.

Updated hierarchy: Norris | Hicks | Gregerson.

Boston Red Sox – With a two-run lead in the 7th inning, the Red Sox turned to Ryan Brasier to face the bottom of the Minnesota lineup. He gave up a run but earned his second hold of the year. Conspicuously absent from the late innings was Joe Kelly, who has given up eight runs in his last four outings. While Alex Cora has spoken highly of Brasier recently, we think Heath Hembree (four holds in his past six appearances) will take the 7th inning role from Kelly, at least for now. However, Brasier is an exciting young arm, and he may be a fixture for the Red Sox for years to come.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Barnes | Hembree.

Colorado Rockies — Adam Ottavino shut the door on Oakland last night to pick up his fourth save of the year. After the game, manager Bud Black said that Wade Davis was getting some extra rest after a couple tough outings against the Astros. We expect that Davis will be available today.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Ottavino | Oh.

Houston Astros — In an overnight trade, the Astros added Ryan Pressly from Minnesota. Pressly has been on a tear recently, riding a seven-game scoreless streak, and A.J. Hinch is impressed with his skills, even if he doesn’t know how he will use them just yet. Hinch may want to shake Pressly’s hand first, but we think Pressly jumps right into the hierarchy. Chris Devenski has been horrible lately, giving up eight runs without recording a single out over his past two appearances. Houston’s bullpen as a whole has bad recently, so they may not be done adding arms prior to the trade deadline.

Updated hierarchy: Rondon | McHugh | Pressly.

Minnesota Twins — The Twins traded Ryan Pressly to Houston last night. Pressly had been on a great run recently, but Minnesota is selling anybody it can at the moment. Look for Zach Duke and Matt Belisle to pick up the slack, at least until they find themselves traded as well. Also of note is the fact that Fernando Rodney, who had garnered interest from a few contenders, has not been sharp in his last two appearances. 

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Hildenberger | Duke.

Cincinnati Reds — Amir Garrett hurt himself covering first base on Friday night, but thankfully for him X-rays were negative and he is just day-to-day with a mild Achilles sprain.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Hughes | Garrett.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Heath Hembree – Craig Kimbrel threw 33 pitches last night and Matt Barnes has gone back to back, leaving Hembree the best-rested option for Boston.
2. Trevor Hildenberger – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight and four of five.
3. Josh Hader – Corey Knebel has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.

Tomorrow
1. Lou Trivino – Blake Treinen was rested last night, but if he pitches today that would be four of the last five games.
2. Kyle Crick – Today would be two straight and three of four for Felipe Vazquez

It’s not getting any better for Greg Holland

May 23, 2018

St. Louis Cardinals – Mike Matheny continued his quest to get Greg Holland right on Tuesday when he called on the righty in the top of the ninth to keep the Cardinals down by just two. Holland failed to even record an out, allowing a walk and three singles as the Royals pushed their lead to 5-1. After the game, Matheny said that the issues don’t appear to be injury-related, and he seemed to mostly feel bad for Holland. They’ll keep trying to find spots for him to pitch and regain his old form, but those spots aren’t likely to be when the Cardinals have a lead. With Matt Bowman, Luke Gregerson and Tyler Lyons all on the DL, Sam Tuivailala is probably the best bet to get the ball to Jordan Hicks and Bud Norris. Lefty Brett Cecil should also grab some holds if the matchups are right.

Updated hierarchy: Norris | Hicks | Tuivailala.

Baltimore Orioles — Last time we checked in with the Orioles, Darren O’Day was moving closer to a return from the DL. Well, that’s taking longer than the Orioles thought. O’Day had a catch yesterday and will throw a bullpen today. Hopefully for Baltimore, O’Day’s bullpen goes well and he is back sometime this week.

Hierarchy remains: Brach | Givens | Bleier.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jeremy Jeffress – Corey Knebel has pitched in two straight games and Josh Hader tossed 30 pitches over two innings on Tuesday.

Tomorrow
1. Joe Kelly – Craig Kimbrel threw 33 pitches on Tuesday, so he may get Thursday off if he has another lengthy outing on Wednesday.
2. Josh Hader/Jeremy Jeffress – If Knebel gets the call on Wednesday, it’s very unlikely he’d pitch on a fourth straight day.
3. Juan Nicasio – Should Edwin Diaz pitch on Wednesday, that will be two straight and three of four.

Matt Belisle with another scoreless ninth; watch for the return of Glen Perkins

August 10, 2017

Minnesota Twins — Yeah, Matt Belisle struck out the side for his third scoreless ninth in four days, and his sixteenth straight appearance without an earned run. Sure looks like the closer to us. Glen Perkins should be back next week, but probably won’t challenge for the job right away.

Updated hierarchy: Belisle | Rogers | Hildenberger.

Colorado Rockies — Even though Wednesday’s game went 12 innings, Bud Black managed to rest Greg Holland and Pat Neshek. Jake McGee pitched in the eighth and ninth, and Tyler Chatwood made his first appearance since being moved to the bullpen, picking up his first save in five years. Chatwood is the only pitcher this season with both a save and a shutout, and he’s the first guy to do it since — *drum roll* — Matt Andriese in 2016. That answer is kind of a letdown, I’ll be honest with you.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Neshek | McGee.

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs are being careful with the 42-year-old Koji Uehara, putting him on the disabled list to recover from his neck strain. Meanwhile, CJ Edwards has been struggling (23.62 ERA in August), and Joe Maddon is talking about using him in a lower-leverage setting to get him back on track. Pedro Strop and Brian Duensing should benefit.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Wilson | Strop.

Philadelphia Phillies — Not only did Hoby Milner earn his second straight eighth-inning hold on Wednesday, but Pete Mackanin specifically mentioned that Milner would get more late-inning opportunities over the last seven weeks of the season. Luis Garcia hasn’t appeared in a game since picking up his second straight loss on August 4, but given the great season that preceded this week, we’ll wait for confirmation before moving him around.

Updated hierarchy: Neris | Garcia | Milner. 

St. Louis Cardinals — Brett Cecil has been used mostly in long relief lately, but Zach Duke is keeping the seventh inning in the two first names family. On the field at Busch, a stray cat inspired Yadier Molina to hit a grand slam off Peter Moylan — the first homer attributable to an animal since Mr. Ed took Sandy Koufax deep in 1963.

Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Oh | Duke.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Luis Garcia — We may find out if Garcia is available, because Hector Neris won’t be (four of five).
2. Nick Vincent — Edwin Diaz has gone in three of four (56 pitches).
3. Taylor Rogers/Trevor Hildenberger — Belisle has also appeared in three of four.

Friday:
None, but try any of the guys listed above if their closer pitches again today.

Anthony Swarzak traded to Milwaukee; Tyler Clippard gets another shot for White Sox

July 26, 2017

Chicago White Sox — Hey White Sox fans, did you like that clean, drama-free save from Anthony Swarzak the other night? Too bad! With Swarzak headed up I-94 to Milwaukee, it’s Tyler Clippard time again — or whatever gallimaufry of negative-WAR relievers Rick Renteria has left to compose a committee. For second in line behind Clippard and Dan Jennings right now, we’ll put our marker on Juan Minaya, who’s had some bad luck (.333 BABIP, 13% HR/FB), but boasts the best K-rate of anyone on the current roster of mismatched Sox. Recently signed Danny Farquhar could be in the hierarchy very soon.

Updated hierarchy: *Clippard | Jennings | Minaya.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers — Last season, Anthony Swarzak gave up 10 home runs in 26 appearances for the Yankees, winding up as a nonroster invitee for Chicago in spring training. This season, easily Swarzak’s career-best, the White Sox flipped him to Milwaukee for a 25-year-old outfield prospect. The Brewers will use Swarzak alongside Jacob Barnes to set up Corey Knebel down the stretch, hoping this Cinderella story can keep rolling into the fall.

Updated hierarchy: Knebel | Barnes | Swarzak.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Three scoreless innings from Josh Ravin earned the 29-year-old righty his first save in a tumultuous career. If you can prove he was in your starting lineup for that save, we’ll sign you up for free Closer Monkey Premium!

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Baez | Morrow.

San Francisco Giants — Chris Stratton was called up from AAA Sacramento on Monday and threw 69 pitches in a four-inning save on Tuesday. Chances are he’ll be headed back down on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Strickland | Kontos.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brandon Maurer — Kelvin Herrera has gone in three straight and four of five. Joakim Soria has gone in two straight and four of five. Maurer’s first appearance as a Royal could be with a ninth-inning lead.
2. Brett Cecil/Seung Hwan Oh — Trevor Rosenthal threw 34 pitches on Tuesday.
3. Cam Bedrosian — Bud Norris has gone in three of four, including a loss on a walk-off grand slam last night.
4. Bryan Shaw — Both Cody Allen and Andrew Miller have pitched in three of four.

Thursday:
1. Ryan Tepera/Joe Smith — Roberto Osuna has appeared in two straight games. It’s not totally clear whether Tepera or Smith is the best save handcuff and, as a pending free agent, Smith could be pitching for someone else by Thursday anyway.
2. Andrew Miller — If the Indians do use Allen again, he’ll get Thursday afternoon off.
3. Jerry Blevins — Addison Reed has pitched in two straight.

David Phelps traded to Mariners; will AJ Ramos be next Marlin dealt?

July 21, 2017

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners have played good baseball as of late to get back to .500 (48-48) and made a trade Thursday to bolster the bullpen, acquiring David Phelps from the Marlins for four minor leaguers. A Seattle reporter suggests Phelps will typically work the sixth or seventh innings. Nick Vincent has been very good in the eighth for Seattle this year, so expect Phelps to begin his stint in Seattle by trying to get the ball to Vincent and Edwin Diaz.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Vincent | Phelps.

Miami Marlins — With David Phelps shipped to Seattle, expect Kyle Barraclough to step into the primary eighth-inning role. Jarlin Garcia and Junichi Tazawa may get looks in the seventh inning behind Barraclough and A.J. Ramos, who’s still a Marlin, for now.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Barraclough | Garcia.

Texas Rangers — Keone Kela has been activated from the disabled list. He probably won’t be thrown into the ninth inning right away, but many suspect it’ll only be a matter of time before he starts getting save chances.

Updated hierarchy: *Claudio | Kela | Leclerc.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals bullpen blew another game Thursday, with Brett Cecil giving up the lead in the eighth and Trevor Rosenthal losing the game in the ninth after he somehow forgot to cover first base. His teammate Matt Carpenter wasn’t happy. There’s no indication the mental lapse will lead to a job change, as he’s still at the top of a messy committee.

Hierarchy remains: *Rosenthal | Cecil | Oh.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tony Watson — Felipe Rivero has pitched in three of the last four. Juan Nicasio has been busier — he has gone in four of five. Watson has been busy lately, too, but he had Thursday off.
2. Ryan Tepera — Roberto Osuna has pitched in four of the last five.

Saturday:
1. Jerry Blevins — Addison Reed pitched Wednesday and Thursday. Friday would be three straight for him.
2. David Robertson — Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two of three and three of five.
3. Brad Brach —  Zach Britton threw 23 pitches Thursday (2 ER in a non-save situation) and has pitched in two of three and three of the last five. Another outing Friday could lead to rest for him on Saturday.