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.

Jim Johnson grabs a save and Ty Buttrey won’t pitch again this year

September 27, 2018

Los Angeles Angels — Jim Johnson, who had given up nine hits in his last two appearances, was Mike Scioscia’s first choice to pitch the ninth inning in a save situation on Wednesday night. And although it’s no longer 2013, Johnson made it work. After the game, we learned that Ty Buttrey would be shut down for the rest of the season with bursitis in his right knee.

Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Robles | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs ultimately won last night, clinching a playoff spot and hopefully saving this poor sap from needing police protection — but the real story was the team’s top three relievers combining to blow a four-run lead over the last two innings. Joe Maddon went with CJ Edwards, Steve Cishek, and Justin Wilson in that order — but with Wilson blowing the save through a single and two doubles, we can’t be sure he’ll get the next shot.

Hierarchy remains: *Cishek | Wilson | Edwards.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — Every save is beautiful in its own way, but last night Sergio Romo earned one that only a Monkey could love. Romo got out of a light inherited jam in the eighth with the Rays up one, and then the team scored four runs to put things out of reach. Or so we thought. With a walk and five straight singles, the Yankees put the go-ahead run on first, and Romo — the eighth Rays pitcher of the game — still had two outs to get. He managed, somehow, and the coveted four-run, four-out save was all his.

Hierarchy remains: *Romo | Alvarado | Roe. 
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets — As we forecast Wednesday morning, Robert Gsellman got the gnight off and Seth Lugo picked up his third save of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Gsellman | Lugo | Swarzak.

Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles went into the ninth up three, but after they beat up on Craig Kimbrel for four runs, they sent Paul Fry back out for the bottom of the ninth where he earned an interesting three-inning save.

Hierarchy remains: Givens | Fry | Wright Jr.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jose Alvarado — Romo needed 41 pitches last night.
2. Dellin Betances — Aroldis Chapman might not be quite there yet.

Friday:
1, Hector Rondon — If Roberto Osuna pitches today, it’ll be three out of four.

Two AL West relievers hit the 10-day DL

June 16, 2018

Texas Rangers – Chris Martin was placed on the 10-day DL retroactive to Tuesday with a right calf strain. Jake Diekman and Jose Leclerc should be the ones to get the ball to Keone Kela when the Rangers are actually in line to win a game. We may also see Alex Claudio pick up an occasional hold as well in Martin’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: Kela | Diekman | Leclerc.

Los Angeles Angels – Jim Johnson has landed on the 10-day DL with a lower back strain. The most likely candidate to take his place in the hierarchy is Jose Alvarez, who picked up a couple of holds last week. However, look for Cam Bedrosian, who pitched the 8th inning last night, to also see an increased role.

Updated hierarchy: Parker | Anderson | Alvarez.

Kansas City Royals – The Royals sent Jason Adam down to AAA, paving the way for the return of Brandon Maurer. Maurer has been bad this year (12.46 ERA) and his overall numbers in Omaha aren’t inspiring (5.48 ERA), but he is riding a 10-game scoreless streak, which helps to explain his call up. Maurer will try to right the ship in this stint, and he may hold some trade value for the floundering Royals if he can show real improvement.

Updated hierarchy: Herrera | McCarthy | Maurer. 

Toronto Blue Jays – Ryan Tepera pitched a clean 9th inning on Friday and now has the last four saves for the Blue Jays. Tepera has been solid during the last few weeks and should continue to get any save chances when he is available.

Hierarchy remains: Tepera | Oh | Clippard.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Joe Jimenez — Shane Greene has pitched in three straight games while Joe Jimenez had the day off yesterday.
2. Drew Steckenrider — Kyle Barraclough has pitched in back-to-back games and four of the last five.

Sunday:
1. Archie Bradley –If Brad Boxberger pitches today it will be three in a row.
2. Josh Fields — If Kenley Jansen pitches today it will be two straight and three of four.
3. Kyle Crick — Same for Felipe Vazquez.
4. Seung Hwan Oh — And Ryan Tepera.

Joe Jimenez records first career save thanks to Rally Goose

June 3, 2018

Detroit Tigers – As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Shane Greene got the day off on Saturday and Joe Jimenez got the call in his place.  Jimenez retired the Blue Jays in order for his first career save while the fans shouted Goooooose.  Jimenez should continue to see save chances when Shane Greene is unavailable.

Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer. 

Los Angeles Angels — The Angels called on Blake Parker for the third straight save opportunity, and if he had converted, he might have been able to shed the asterisk.  Unfortunately, for Angels fans and fantasy owners, Parker could not get the job done.  Parker remains atop the committee for now, but Justin Anderson has eight straight scoreless appearances and could work his way back into the mix.

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

Miami Marlins — Nick Wittgren has been placed on the DL with a bruised finger.  Former starter Adam Conley has been pitching well out of the bullpen and the Marlins hope he can take on an Andrew Miller-like role.  With Wittgren on the DL, the Marlins may get a chance to try Conley more in that role.

Updated hierarchy: Barraclough | Steckenrider | Conley.

Toronto Blue Jays – In a tie game in the eighth inning yesterday the Blue Jays went to Seung-Hwan Oh, and the game didn’t stay tied for long.  Oh gave up three runs on four hits and a walk while only recording two outs.  Ryan Tepera has received the last two saves for the Blue Jays and will likely see the next save chance after Oh’s rough outing.

Hierarchy remains: *Tepera | Oh | Clippard.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Steve Cishek – Brandon Morrow has pitched in three games in a row.
2. Robert Gsellman – Jeurys Familiar has gone in two straight (42 pitches) and three of the past four.
3. Sam Dyson – Hunter Strickland and Tony Watson have both pitched in back-to-back games and three of four.

Monday
1. Justin Anderson – If Blake Parker goes on Sunday, that will be three in a row.
2. David Robertson – The Yankees have a doubleheader on Monday and if Aroldis Chapman pitches on Sunday it will be two of three.
3. Joe Jimenez/Buck Farmer – Detroit also has a doubleheader on Monday and both Shane Greene and Joe Jimenez have worked a lot recently.

Jared Hughes first in line for saves with Raisel Iglesias out

May 24, 2018

Cincinnati Reds — After Raisel Iglesias was placed on the DL with a biceps strain, Jim Riggleman said he would be comfortable using Jared Hughes, Amir Garrett, Michael Lorenzen, or Wandy Peralta in the closer’s role. We told you we think Hughes will win the job, and we’ll note that he got the bottom of the ninth in a tied game at home, classically a spot for the closer. Another guy worth watching is David Hernandez, who has some closing experience and has been pitching effectively.

Hierarchy remains: Hughes | Garrett | Lorenzen.

Los Angeles Angels — The Angels used Jim Johnson, Justin Anderson, and Blake Parker in that order against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Parker’s ninth inning wasn’t a thing of beauty — he escaped only thanks to a perfect Kole Calhoun throw to nail Curtis Granderson on a would-be sac fly — but he got the job done. As promised, he gets the promotion to the top chair.

Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Anderson | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays — Just when we thought it might be safe to pull Tyler Clippard’s asterisk, he gave up a grand slam to blow a save a few days back. Then tonight he laid a three-walk, two-hit, four-run egg against the Angels. Maybe the Jays should try this committee thing they’ve talked about.

Hierarchy remains: *Clippard | Tepera | Oh.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates — The Pirates used Felipe Vazquez to try to protect a lead in the eighth, leaving the save opportunity in the 12th to one of the guys we told you about last week: Kyle Crick. Crick loaded the bases, but managed to get out of trouble in the end. We would have gone with strikeout king Richard Rodriguez, but apparently Clint Hurdle trusts Crick (and Edgar Santana, who keeps getting the seventh) more. Ugh.

Updated hierarchy: Vazquez | Feliz | Santana. 

VULTURE START WATCH
Friday-Sunday:
1. Sergio Romo — Kevin Cash says he’s considering using Romo as his “opener” in all three of this weekend’s games against the Orioles. If Cash keeps up this fascinating strategy, we may have to move the righty out of the hierarchy.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Joe Kelly/Matt Barnes — Craig Kimbrel has gone back-to-back and threw 32 pitches on Tuesday. Kelly has also gone in two straight, so Barnes might get the chance.
2. Robert Gsellman/AJ Ramos — Jeurys Familia blew Wednesday’s save and has pitched in four of six.
3. Juan Nicasio — Edwin Diaz has pitched in three of four.

Friday:
1. Brad Keller — Kelvin Herrera has pitched in two straight.
2. Chris Martin — Same with Keone Kela.