James Pazos worth a speculative add

May 19, 2017

Seattle Mariners — During an interview with a Sirius XM fantasy sports show, Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto gave answers that led host Craig Mish to believe James Pazos may be first in line for saves in Seattle’s committee. The tweet led to a flurry of speculative pickups — and he’s probably worth it until we see the M’s in a save situation. Nick Vincent, for his part, pitched a scoreless ninth inning Thursday in a tie game and got the win when the M’s walked off in the bottom half. We suspect he’s likely the first in a committee that includes Tony Zych, the newly returned Steve Cishek, Mark Rzepczynski and… Pazos. Maybe.

Updated hierarchy: *Vincent | Pazos | Zych.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs — If you’re reading this, Joe Maddon, well played. A day after the monkey pulled Koji Uehara out of the Cubs hierarchy, Maddon on Thursday put Uehara into a save situation that he ultimately converted for his first save this season. It was a unique situation, to be sure. Uehara came into a 9-4 game with the bases loaded, nobody out and the tying run on deck, and after allowing a sac fly, he compiled two strikeouts to shut the door. Hector Rondon had already pitched, coming into the game in a relatively tight spot with the Cubs leading 9-1 in the seventh and allowed two inherited runs and one earned run to score to make things interesting. Carl Edwards Jr. and Wade Davis had each pitched in two straight and were probably unavailable. With Rondon faltering a bit again, the case can be made that Edwards Jr. (1.04 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 24 Ks) is next in line behind Davis, with Rondon and Uehara (among others), after that.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Edwards | Rondon.

Detroit Tigers – As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Alex Wilson was called to protect a one-run lead and delivered for his second save. Justin Wilson had pitched in two straight games.

Hierarchy remains: J.Wilson | A.Wilson | Greene.

Milwaukee Brewers — Corey Knebel nailed down his third save Thursday, so as promised we’re ditching the asterisk. He has been dynamite and is cementing himself as the Brewers clear 9th-inning option, while Jacob Barnes and Carlos Torres have established themselves in the 8th and 7th inning, respectively.

Updated hierarchy: Knebel | Barnes | Torres.

Houston Astros – Sources told FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal that the red-hot Astros are hunting for more pitching and are intrigued by Pirates closer Tony Watson. Nothing is imminent, the report said.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Devenski | Harris.

Pittsburgh Pirates – See above. If Watson is dealt the Pirates could employ a committee with Felipe Rivero at the top. The monkey is just speculating, though.

Hierarchy remains: Watson | Rivero | Nicasio. 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:

1. Jacob Barnes — Corey Knebel has pitched in four of the last five, throwing 27 pitches Thursday night. He needs rest eventually. Jacob Barnes and Carlos Torres have each pitched in two straight and three of the last four. At least one of these three will have Friday off. We suspect Knebel gets a breather.

Friday:
1. Adam Ottavino — Greg Holland pitched Tuesday and Thursday (8 total pitches), and a Friday appearance could mean he’d need rest Saturday if he labors a bit.
2. Jacob Barnes/Carlos Torres — See above. Anyone who pitches Friday would most certainly be unavailable Saturday.

Steve Cishek struggles after Edwin Diaz is demoted

May 17, 2017

Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz was demoted from the closer role Tuesday, replaced by a committee that will include Nick Vincent, Tony Zych, newly returned Steve Cishek, and Mark Rzepczynski. Two of those guys – Vincent and Zych – were unavailable for Tuesday night’s game, having pitched both three straight. That left former closer Steve Cishek, fresh off the DL, to try and close out the 9th. Cishek was not good, allowing a single and a two-run homer to blow a 5-4 lead. Cishek was one of just two righties available to pitch last night as part of a depleted bullpen and may eventually get a chance at the 9th again, but expect one of the other committee members to get the next save chance depending on matchups.

Updated hierarchy: *Vincent | Zych | Cishek.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals – Koda Glover got the 9th inning on Tuesday with a four-run lead, though he was warming in the 8th with the Nats ahead by two. Glover got two quick outs before laboring a bit, but he eventually closed out the win after 29 pitches. When asked after the game if Glover was the closer, Dusty Baker said, “We’ll see.” We’ll move Glover to the top of the committee given tonight’s events, though don’t be surprised if Kelley gets a look on Wednesday thanks to Glover’s lengthy outing.

Updated hierarchy: *Glover | Kelley | Albers. 
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles — Brad Brach’s struggles continued on Tuesday as he gave up a grand slam in the 7th inning to blow a 7-4 lead. It was the biggest moment of the game at the time, so Brach’s usage there makes sense, but what does Buck Showalter do now with a closer that saw his ERA move to 4.05 after allowing an earned run in a third straight appearance? Showalter was mum on the situation after Tuesday’s 13-inning win, but don’t be shocked if Darren O’Day gets a turn as closer soon with Brach faltering.

Hierarchy remains: Brach | O’Day | Givens.

San Francisco Giants — Derek Law cruised to another save and he looks like a lock to be the closer until Mark Melancon returns from the DL. The good news for the Giants is that Bruce Bochy announced Tuesday that Melancon will be activated on Friday.

Hierarchy remains: Law | Strickland | Osich.

Oakland A’s — Oakland’s bullpen struggles continued on Tuesday, but some good news came before the game as Bob Melvin said that John Axford, who began the season on the DL, could be back by Sunday’s series finale with the Red Sox. Sean Doolittle, meanwhile, is still about a month away from returning.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Madson | Dull.

Tampa Bay Rays — Jose Alvarado pitched two 1-2-3 innings over the 7th and 8th frames, including a clean trip through the heart of Cleveland’s order, to help maintain a 6-4 lead on Tuesday. It was his second straight hold, and Kevin Cash praised the 21-year-old lefty after the game. Alvarado has not allowed a run since a rough debut on May 3, allowing just two hits and zero walks over his last 6.2 innings. He does only have two strikeouts during that span, but he will be worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses and his confidence grows.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Farquhar | Ramirez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Anthony Swarzak – After two days off, David Robertson threw 32 pitches over two innings yesterday, blowing a save in the 11th after pitching a clean 10th. Bad teammate Tommy Kahnle has pitched in two straight and three of four, so Swarzak, who had last night off, may get Wednesday’s save chance.

Tomorrow
1. Tommy Kahnle/Anthony Swarzak – If Robertson does pitch today, it will be doubtful that he pitches Thursday.
2. Ryan Madson/Ryan Dull – Both Madson and Santiago Casilla threw 20 pitches on Tuesday. If Casilla has another lengthy outing and Madson doesn’t, then Madson may get the 9th on Thursday.
3. Hector Rondon –  Wade Davis hasn’t pitched in awhile, but he did throw 21 pitches on Tuesday and the Cubs may avoid going to him on Thursday if he has another long outing Wednesday.

Bud Norris picks up another save

April 25, 2017

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels traded for veteran reliever David Hernandez and immediately used him in a big spot.  With the Angels clinging to a one run lead in the eight inning, Hernandez came on with a runner on first and one out.  He retired the only two batters he faced to preserve the lead.  Bud Norris pitched the ninth to record his second save.

Updated hierarchy: *Norris | Parker | Hernandez.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz is still the closer in Seattle, but you may see him used more in non-traditional closer spots.  Manager Scott Servais said that Diaz needs to pitch and he can’t always just save him for the ninth inning.  We don’t think this will impact Diaz’s fantasy value in a huge way so don’t overreact if you see Diaz enter the game in a non-save situation.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Vincent | Rzepczynski.

Minnesota Twins — Matt Belisle pitched a perfect eight inning ahead of closer Brandon Kintzler last night.  It was Belisle’s third hold of the season, and with Ryan Pressly struggling, Belisle has likely moved into first in line for saves behind Kintzler.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Belisle | Pressly.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
Today
1. Blake Parker – Bud Norris has pitched in four of the last five days.
2. Matt Belisle/Ryan Pressly – Brandon Kintzler has appeared in two straight games and three of the last four.

Wednesday
1. Jorge de la Rosa 
– Fernando Rodney has pitched in two of the last three and would likely get Wednesday off if he pitches on Tuesday.
2, Trevor Rosenthal – If Seung-Hwan Oh pitches on Tuesday, that will make it four of the past five days.

Santiago Casilla grabs another Oakland save

April 22, 2017

Oakland A’s — For the second night in a row, Santiago Casilla pitched the ninth inning with a lead, this time converting a perfect save opportunity. Bob Melvin described Casilla as “a closer,” hastening to add that he wasn’t the only one Oakland has. Casilla has allowed only one hit in eight innings this year, but Sean Doolittle has also been effective, and shut down the Mariners’ 3-4-5 hitters in the eighth last night. We’ll move Casilla to the head of the committee for now, but either guy could still get chances.

Updated hierarchy: *Casilla | Doolittle | Madson.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — Dan Altavilla was sent down to AAA after giving up three runs on Thursday. This leaves a hole in the back end of Seattle’s bullpen, at least until Steve Cishek returns. Cishek had a passable outing for Tacoma last night and is expected back next week. For now, Mark Rzepczynski is likely to see any emergency save opportunities, especially if the Mariners are facing a lefty-heavy lineup.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Vincent | Rzepczynski.

Tampa Bay Rays — Struggling lefty Xavier Cedeno has been moved to the disabled list with mild tightness in his forearm. The cupboard’s getting bare in the Rays bullpen — Brad Boxberger was recently transferred to the 60-day DL and can’t return until early June. Jumbo Diaz and Tommy Hunter will help Danny Farquhar get the ball to Alex Colome.

Updated hierarchy: Colome | Farquhar | Diaz.

Baltimore Orioles — Brad Brach continued his impressive start to the season, picking up his third save with a perfect ninth inning. Zach Britton says he feels good and is ready to start throwing, but there’s no need to rush him back, thanks to Brach. Expect Darren O’Day to get any save opportunity today, though; Brach has pitched three in a row.

Hierarchy remains:  Brach | O’Day | Givens.

Toronto Blue Jays — John Gibbons intended to rest his top three relievers on Friday, but a wild thirteenth inning changed the plan. Up three, Joe Biagini was summoned with the bases loaded and no outs. He didn’t make it easy — giving up a run-scoring single, then hitting Mike Trout rather than letting Mike Trout hit — but in the end, he escaped with the save.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Grilli | Biagini.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Sergio Romo’s bases-loaded balk (the first of his major league career) opened the floodgates to a nine-run implosion by one of the highest-paid bullpens in baseball. Romo has been underwhelming, with six walks, six hits, and only four strikeouts over his 5.1 innings (11.81 ERA). He has plenty of time to turn this around, but Pedro Baez could be there to pick up the slack.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Romo | Baez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach has pitched in three straight.
2. Koda Glover — Shawn Kelley made another appearance last night — two in a row and three out of four for him — so he’ll definitely rest today.
3. Joaquin Benoit/Edubray Ramos — Hector Neris has pitched in two straight and three of four. Benoit has pitched in the same games, but has thrown fewer pitches. If neither can go, expect Ramos to get the longshot vulture save.
4. Addison Reed/Fernando Salas — Jeurys Familia has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 48 pitches. Addison Reed has thrown 41 pitches over the past four days, leaving Fernando Salas as the best-rested option for the Mets.

Sunday
1. Koji Uehara — Wade Davis has pitched in three of four, but hasn’t thrown many pitches in that span. If Davis gets in today, he’ll get Sunday off.