Obviously another Rays’ reliever records a save

September 20, 2020

Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays have already clinched a playoff spot so maybe now they are trying to see if they can get each one of their relievers a save?  It was Ryan Thompson’s turn on Saturday as he got the last two outs for the save.  Thompson became the 12th Rays’ reliever to pick up a save this season.  Aaron Loup and Sean Gilmartin are the only active relievers who haven’t recorded a save yet this season, but there is a week left to change that.

Hierarchy remains: *Anderson | Castillo | Drake.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Tommy Hunter picked up his first save of the season by striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.  The Phillies bullpen had a great day yesterday as Blake Parker and David Phelps combined with Hunter to throw three hitless innings.  Neris had the day off due to rest, but it’s notable that Brandon Workman was nowhere to be found.  Given Workman’s struggles since joining the Phillies, we think that will likely continue.

Updated hierarchy: *Neris | Hunter | Phelps.
* = closer-by-committee

Detroit Tigers – After the Tigers rallied for four runs in the bottom of the 8th, Bryan Garcia came out for the 9th and converted his third save of the season.  Garcia has now made eleven straight scoreless appearances.  This does not appear to be a committee anymore as Garcia has solidified himself as the primary closer.

Hierarchy remains: Garcia | Soto | Cisnero.

St. Louis Cardinals — With Andrew Miller getting the day off after appearing in two straight, fellow lefty Genesis Cabrera did his best Miller impression by recording the final five outs (including three by strikeout) for his first save.  Ryan Helsley recorded four outs ahead of Cabrera.  The Cardinals will likely continue to mix and match in the late innings.

Hierarchy remains: *Miller | Reyes | Helsley.
* = closer-by-committee


Houston Astros — Brooks Raley, who has been great since being traded to the Astros, struck out a pair in an 8th inning hold ahead of a Ryan Pressly save yesterday. Raley has now picked up two holds and a save in his last three appearances and should continue to be used in the late innings.

Updated hierarchy: Pressly | Scrubb | Raley.

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs bullpen suffered a big blow as Rowan Wick has been placed on the IL.  Wick has been the most versatile member of the Cubs’ bullpen this season.  Jason Adam, who hasn’t allowed an earned run yet in September, should see more time at the back-end of the Cubs’ bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: Jeffress | Kimbrel | Adam.

Toronto Blue Jays —  Rafael Dolis avoided a major injury and could be available out of the Blue Jays bullpen soon.

Updated hierarchy: Bass | Dolis | Cole.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Gregory Soto – Bryan Garcia has pitched in two straight
2. Nick Vincent – Marlins have a doubleheader today and Kintzler and Boxberger both pitched yesterday.
3. Will Harris – The Nationals have a doubleheader today
4. Sean Gilmartin – Aaron Loup has appeared in two straight so in the Rays’ quest to get every reliever a save, Gilmartin could be the next man up.

Monday
1. Brad Boxberger – If Brandon Kintzler appears in either game of the doubleheader today he will likely get Monday off.

2020 NL East Preview

February 26, 2020

Atlanta Braves — The Braves picked up a trio of veteran relievers late in 2019, and those three righties — Mark Melancon, Shane Greene, and Chris Martin — will make up the core of their bullpen in 2020, along with offseason signing Will Smith. There’s pretty good depth here, too, with Darren O’Day and Luke Jackson likely to make the team; the latter closed for a spell last season. And they’ve still got two promising youngsters who have both logged some impressive major league innings (albeit not in 2019) in AJ Minter and Chad Sobotka. Right now it seems that Brian Snitker is leaning toward Melancon to start out in the closer role rather than Smith, who was one of the best relievers in baseball last year. But Snitker has suggested that things could be fluid and matchup-based, so both are likely worth drafting. 

Starting 2020 Hierarchy: Melancon | Smith | Greene.
Holds candidates: Smith, Greene, Martin
.

Miami Marlins — The Marlins picked up Brandon Kintzler shortly before the start of spring training, and Don Mattingly quickly anointed him the likely closer, which is understandable given the other options the Marlins have on the roster. Ryne Stanek, who they acquired midseason last year, converted just 1 of his 5 save chances; Drew Steckenrider was injured for most of the season and pitching to a 6+ ERA when he was healthy; and Adam Conley was similarly ineffective. Look for Kintzler and another offseason acquisition, Yimi Garcia, to be the high-leverage guys here, with some mix of the other three also factoring in. 

Starting 2020 Hierarchy: Kintzler | Garcia | Stanek.
Holds candidates: Garcia, Stanek, Steckenrider
.

New York Mets — The Mets’ worst three bullpen ERAs in history have come in 2019, 2018, and 2017, but there’s again reason for cautious optimism in Flushing, as various projection systems are projecting bounce-back campaigns from Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia, along with a healthy (or healthier) contribution from Dellin Betances. Seth Lugo was one of the NL’s top relievers last year, and he figures to factor in to the late-inning mix as well, with veterans Justin Wilson and Brad Brach bridging the gap to the late innings. The Mets will give Diaz a chance to close to start the year, but it’s likely he’ll be on a short leash due to his 2020 struggles, so Betances and/or Lugo might be worth stashing if you’ve got the roster space.

Starting 2020 Hierarchy: Diaz | Betances | Lugo.
Holds candidates: Betances, Lugo, Familia.

Philadelphia Phillies — Gabe Kapler is gone, replaced by Joe Girardi, so the Phillies bullpen might make a little more sense this season than in years past. The situation remains fluid at the moment, but our best guess is Hector Neris gets the first chance to close, with Seranthony Dominguez setting up. Adam Morgan, Jose Alvarez, and Tommy Hunter will be contributors, and we figure at least one of the handful of veterans (Blake Parker, Francisco Liriano, Anthony Swarzak) who have gotten spring training invites will make a difference at some point. Monitor this bullpen in spring training to make sure Neris is on track.

Starting 2020 Hierarchy: Neris | Dominguez| Morgan.
Holds candidates: Dominguez, Morgan, Alvarez
.

Washington Nationals – The Nationals bullpen was largely terrible in 2019, but they patched their way through the playoffs and won a World Series. That success led them to probably be less aggressive than they could have been in free agency, as the only acquisition they made was former Astro Will Harris; instead, they’re hoping that Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson can tag-team the late innings the way they did in the playoffs last year. Tanner Rainey and Wander Suero are likely to make the roster, as will Hunter Strickland and Roenis Elias, but we’d only consider drafting the top three guys here, even in deep leagues.

Starting 2020 Hierarchy: Doolittle | Hudson | Harris.
Holds candidates: Hudson, Harris, Rainey.

Can Hector Neris save your fantasy playoffs?

September 22, 2018

Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies bullpen fell apart last night, with Pat Neshek giving up four runs and taking the loss. Seranthony Dominguez pitched a scoreless 6th inning, and his use in the late innings has not been consistent. The guy to watch here is Hector Neris, who pitched the 9th inning last night and has only allowed four earned runs in the last 15 innings, including a scoreless August. His overall numbers are not great, but if you are chasing saves in the playoffs, Neris may sneak one or two for you. He got the last save opportunity, and in this wide open committee, that’s as good a sign as any.

Updated hierarchy: *Hunter | Neshek | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman was given the night off after returning from the DL on Thursday. This left the save chance to Dellin Betances, who converted. With the Yankees almost locked into the Wild Card game, they will be careful with Chpaman and may rest other pieces of their bullpen in the final week. Aaron Boone said that he hopes that Chapman will be closing out games by the playoffs, but that he will be seeing some lower-leverage work to ease him back. We think that the Yankees will try to get him to the 9th inning sooner rather than later, but ultimately they will be careful with their All-Star.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Robertson.

Tampa Bay Rays — Austin Pruitt pitched the final three innings of an 11-3 win to pick up his third save of the season. He’s combined for 10 IP in those three saves, including a 5.2 IP save back in May.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jonny Venters/Dan Winkler — AJ Minter has pitched two of the last three, throwing 26 pitches last night and 22 on Wednesday. Johnny Venters has pitched in three of four, but has thrown only 18 pitches in those three games.
2. Steven Wright — Craig Kimbrel has gone in two straight and the Sox have already clinched the division.
3. Dellin Betances/Zach Britton — Aroldis Chapman may not see a save chance just yet, and Britton is more well-rested than Betances.
4. Craig Stammen/Matt Strahm — Kirby Yates threw 30 pitches last night while Craig Stammen has pitched three of the last four. 

Sunday:
1. Kevin McCarthy — Today would be three in a row for Wily Peralta.
2. Seth Lugo/Anthony Swarzak – Both Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo have pitched in back-to-back games. If either makes an appearance today they should be unavailable Sunday.

Aroldis Chapman could be activated Wednesday

September 19, 2018

New York Yankees – Zach Britton picked up his sixth save of the season on Tuesday night after David Robertson pitched the eighth inning. The biggest bullpen news out of the Bronx came before the game, however, as Aaron Boone said that Aroldis Chapman will be activated either today or Thursday. The Yankees are likely to be careful with Chapman prior to the postseason, so Britton, Robertson and Dellin Betances may still see save chances depending on Chapman’s usage.

Hierarchy remains: *Betances | Robertson | Britton.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians – Andrew Miller recorded three strikeouts as part of a four-out ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season. Terry Francona thought Miller had his best stuff on Tuesday, which is encouraging news for a team planning for October. With Cleveland having already clinched the AL Central, Francona can rest both Brad Hand and Cody Allen whenever he pleases. Francona can also give Miller the necessary work he needs to get ready for the playoffs, which means Miller may vulture a couple more saves over the final dozen games.

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

Philadelphia Phillies — On this episode of “It’s Always a Committee in Philadelphia,” four different relievers kept the Mets scoreless over the final 3.1 innings, with Hector Neris ultimately recording his 11th save of the season. Pat Neshek recorded the final out of the sixth inning to keep the Phillies trailing by just two. After the Phillies took the lead in the bottom half of the frame, Seranthony Dominguez and Tommy Hunter pitched the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Neshek has been the best of the bunch lately, as he hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last seven appearances, but the next save chance could go to any of the aforementioned arms.

Hierarchy remains: *Hunter | Neshek | Dominguez.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs — Brandon Morrow will miss the rest of the season because of a nagging bone bruise. With Pedro Strop still nursing a strained hamstring, the Cubs will continue to rely on a committee to help clinch another division title.

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

Arizona Diamondbacks – Jake Diekman has allowed three earned runs in each of his last two outings. Given his recent struggles (and the fact he pitched the fourth and innings with his team trailing by four), It’s unlikely that he’ll see a save chance unless there’s a matchup Torey Lovullo really likes. Archie Bradley hasn’t been exceptional over his last three outings, but all three were scoreless, so we’ll move him into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: *Hirano | Ziegler | Bradley.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Blake Parker – Ty Buttrey has pitched in three of four, including a five-out save last night.
2. Pat Neshek – The other three guys in Philadelphia’s bullpen have all pitched two straight days, with Tommy Hunter and Hector Neris having gone in three of four.
3. Hunter Strickland – Will Smith and Mark Melancon have both pitched two straight and three of four.
4. Ryan Tepera – Ken Giles has pitched in three of four, though he only threw nine pitches yesterday.

Tomorrow
1. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. Ryan Tepera – A Ken Giles appearance tonight will be his fourth in five days.

Steve Cishek records save and Sergio Romo returns

September 16, 2018

Chicago Cubs — After Justin Wilson pitched a scoreless 8th inning, the Cubs mixed and matched through the 9th.  Righty Jesse Chavez started the inning and recorded the first out, lefty Randy Rosario got the second out, and righty Steve Cishek came on for the final out to record his fourth save of the season.  The Cubs have a lot of quality bullpen arms and Joe Madden likes to play matchups so it’s going to be hard to predict who will get the final out each night.

Updated hierarchy: *Cishek | Wilson | Edwards.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays – After being absent for most of the beginning of September, Sergio Romo has now pitched the 9th inning in two straight games, including recording his 20th save last night.  We will move Romo to 1st in line and he could turn this back into a committee with Jose Alvarado if he continues to be available down the stretch.

Updated hierarchy: Alvarado | Romo | Roe.

Chicago White Sox – Juan Minaya got the last four outs of the White Sox 2-0 victory to pick up his first save of the season.  Minaya has not allowed a run in September and could be an option for saves behind Jace Fry and Nates Jones for the rest of the year.

Updated hierarchy: *Fry | Jones | Minaya.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox — With the Red Sox protecting a two-run lead, they sent Steven Wright out for the 7th, Ryan Brasier for the 8th, and Craig Kimbrel for the 9th.  All three responded with scoreless innings with Kimbrel recording his 41st save of the season.  Joe Kelly has given up at least one run in half of his September appearances, while Ryan Brasier has a win and two holds in his past three outings.  The Red Sox would like to get Kelly pitching well going into the playoffs but for now, they might continue to turn to Brasier ahead of Kimbrel.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Brasier | Wright.

Philadelphia Phillies — Pat Neshek pitched a perfect 9th inning yesterday for the save, although Tommy Hunter had arguably the tougher task as he faced the 3-4-5 hitters for the Marlins in the 8th inning.  Neshek and Hunter should both continue to see save chances down the stretch for the Phillies.

Hierarchy remains: *Hunter | Neshek | Dominguez.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Kenta Maeda – Kenley Jansen got yesterday off but the Dodgers might want to give him another day off after pitching in three in a row prior.

Monday
1. Chris Martin – Jose Leclerc has pitched in two in a row.
2. Paul Fry – If Mychal Givens pitches on Sunday, it will be two in a row and three of four.