Trevor May, Hansel Robles pick up saves

September 29, 2018

New York Mets — We alerted you yesterday that Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo, the top two arms in the Mets bullpen, will not pitch this weekend. That leaves the door open for an Anthony Swarzak save chance or two. Grab him and/or Jerry Blevins if you’re still scrapping for saves.

Updated hierarchy: Swarzak | Blevins | Rhame.

Minnesota Twins – Holding a one-run lead, the Twins used Taylor Rogers in the 8th and Trevor May to get the last two outs of the first game in a doubleheader. May struck out both batters he faced to earn his second career save. This is also May’s second save in a row for the Twins, as normal closer Trevor Hildenberger hasn’t pitched since giving up four runs this past Wednesday. We told you Wednesday that Paul Molitor said he was going to try different guys in different roles this week, and he looks like he’s keeping that promise.

Hierarchy remains: *Hildenberger | Rogers | May.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels — After watching their eight-run lead whittled down to three, the Angels turned to Hansel Robles to close out Friday’s win. Robles has saves in consecutive appearances, while Jim Johnson picked up the other save for the Angels this week. This is certainly a committee, but it is curious to see Blake Parker in a set up role after being effective as a closer earlier in the season. That having been said, Parker is well rested, having not pitched in the last three days, so expect him to get some work this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Robles | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. AJ Minter – Both Arodys Vizcaino and Chad Sobotka threw over 20 pitches last night, and with the Braves out of the playoff picture they may not push any pitcher. Minter hasn’t pitched since Wednesday.
2. Steven Wright – Boston has already locked up the best record in the AL and may choose to let closer Craig Kimbrel rest this weekend, especially because the Yankees have nothing to play for as well and they can no longer stick it to their rivals. .
3. Jared Hughes – Raisel Iglesias threw 21 pitches last night, and with the Reds out of the playoffs, they will likely keep a close eye on their closer.
4. Hector Rondon – Roberto Osuna threw 20 pitches last night, and the Astros may rest him heading into the playoffs.

Sunday:
1. Seung Hwan Oh – Wade Davis and Adam Ottavino have both pitched in back-to-back games, but it is all hands on deck with the Rockies fighting to secure the NL West. If they lock up the division today, expect them to rest these guys, leaving Oh as the best rested option.
2. Corey Knebel – Today would be back-to-back for Jeremy Jeffress and Josh Hader.
3. Fernando Rodney/Jeurys Familia – The Athletics have locked in their playoff position, so they may be resting their top arms this weekend.
4. Craig Stammen/Matt Strahm – Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Kirby Yates
5. Jose Alvarado/Chaz Roe – Same for Sergio Romo.
6. Tyler Clippard – And both Ken Giles and Ryan Tepera.

Kyle Barraclough could be out of a job in the next few hours

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August 7, 2018

New York Mets – After Bobby Wahl and Robert Gsellman navigated the 7th and 8th innings, the Mets called on lefty Jerry Blevins for the 9th. Joey Votto was due up third, so the matchup made sense, and Blevins did the job, earning his first save of the year. Blevins hasn’t given up a run in his last six appearances, and might be in line for another save chance or two if the Mets continue to play matchups in this fashion.

Updated hierarchy: *Gsellman | Lugo | Blevins.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – Kyle Barraclough entered the game with a 2-run lead and immediately gave up two singles and a walk to start the inning. He then ran the count full to Kolten Wong before striking him out looking on a backdoor slider that was almost certainly not a strike, then walked the next hitter on five pitches to force in a run. Javy Guerra was then summoned, and induced a game-ending double play to pick up the save. After the game, Mattingly was noncommital about the closer role going forward, saying he “wouldn’t do anything without talking to everybody.” We’ll see if there’s a change afoot later today after Mattingly talks to everybody — add Drew Steckenrider now, if you haven’t done so already.

Hierarchy remains: Barraclough | Steckenrider | Conley.

Chicago Cubs – Brandon Kintzler has picked up three eighth inning holds in the last four days, and appears to have quickly earned the trust of Joe Maddon. Look for him to potentially get save chances when Pedro Strop is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Strop | Kintzler | Edwards.

Houston Astros – Recently acquired and reinstated from suspension for domestic abuse, Roberto Osuna made his Astros debut and was credited with the win, as the Astros would score 3 runs in the top of the 9th to beat the Giants. Rondon pitched the 9th as usual, and it appears as though remains the preferred option for the closer role. Osuna may vulture some chances due to match up or fatigue, but it’s Rondon’s job to lose.

Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Osuna | McHugh.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Tony Watson – Will Smith has gone in back to back games including a blown save last night.

Tomorrow
1. Alex Colome – If Edwin Diaz goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
2. Brandon Kintzler/CJ Edwards – If Pedro Strop or Brandon Kintzler goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
3. Alex Claudio/Cory Gearrin – If Jose LeClerc goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four. Chris Martin could also potentially vulture this chance, depending on matchups/fatigue.

Jeurys Familia posts an encouraging outing

September 8, 2017

Philadelphia Phillies – With Juan Nicasio leaving town as quickly as he’d arrived, the Phillies will likely give Edubray Ramos more looks in the 7th inning. Nicasio may crack the St. Louis hierarchy sooner rather than later, but he hasn’t made an appearance yet.

Updated hierarchy: Neris | Garcia | Ramos.

New York Mets – Jeurys Familia pitched the 7th and 8th innings of a Mets victory yesterday, and while he’s been pretty dodgy since returning from the DL, we figure that this outing makes him the leading choice for a save chance on nights when AJ Ramos is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Familia | Blevins.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Madson/Brandon Kintzler – Sean Doolittle pitched in three of the last four, throwing 56 pitches total.
2. Taylor Rogers/Trevor Hildenberger – Matt Belisle has gone in back to back games; he hasn’t pitched in three straight all year.

Tomorrow
1. Ryan Madson/Brandon Kintzler – See above. If Doolittle goes tonight, he’ll definitely be out tomorrow.

Jeurys Familia returns, Alex Wilson only pitcher suspended

August 26, 2017

New York Mets — The Mets got Jeurys Familia back on Friday, and although Terry Collins mentioned that he wanted to get Familia in the game on Friday, he ended up using Blevins for the last out in the eighth and then A.J. Ramos for the save.  Ramos gave up a run on two hits and two walks last night, and while he will continue to close for now, Familia could work his way back into the closer’s role once he gets comfortable.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Blevins | Familia.

Detroit Tigers – Of all the pitchers involved in Thrusday’s melee, Alex Wilson took the hardest fall, picking up a 4 game suspension after admitting that he intentionally threw at Todd Frazier.  Wilson threw a scoreless inning last night, and will appeal the suspension.  Expect Joe Jimenez to get some higher leverage looks, and Daniel Stumpf may vulture a couple holds, while Wilson is out.

Hierarchy remains: Greene | Wilson | Jimenez.

Atlanta Braves – Sam Freemen picked up the last two outs of the 8th inning ahead of Arodys Vizcaino. Freeman has found himself in high leverage spots throughout August and has responded by not giving up a single run. He’s a lefty but has mostly seen full innings as of late, while Jim Johnson has had a rough stretch, giving up 11 runs over his last 4 appearances.

Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Ramirez | Freeman.

Houston Astros – Joe Musgrove pitched the 8th inning ahead of Ken Giles last night to pick up his 3rd hold of the year. Musgrove had a miserable run as a starting pitcher before being moved to the bullpen in mid-July. He has responded by only giving up 1 run in his 12 relief appearances, and hasn’t giving up a single run in August. While this isn’t enough to crack the hierarchy just yet, Musgrove appears to be on the rise in Houston and should continue to see hold opportunities.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Devenski | Clippard.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
Today
1. David Hernandez – Fernando Rodney has pitched in two straight and four of the past five.  Archie Bradley has also pitched in two straight, including a 2 inning, 36 pitch outing on Thursday.
2. Michael Lorenzen – Raisel Iglesias has pitched in three straight.
3. Drew Steckenrider – Brad Ziegler and Kyle Barraclough have both pitched in two straight and three of the past four.
4. Tommy Hunter – Alex Colome has pitched back to back and three of four as well.

Sunday
1. Aaron Bummer/Gregory Infante – If Juan Minaya pitches on Saturday, that will be three in a row.  The White Sox could play matchups and use either the lefty Bummer or righty Infante if there is a save opportunity on Sunday.
2. Chris Devenski – Ken Giles has pitched in two straight.
3. David Robertson –  Dellin Betances managed to avoid a suspension, and pitched a scoreless 9th inning last night to preserve a tie, but has now gone back to back and could get Sunday off.
4. Nick Vincent/David Phelps – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for any of the Seattle Hierarchy. Expect anyone that pitches today to get a rest on Sunday