Rodney blows another save

April 30, 2017

Arizona Diamondbacks — Fernando Rodney allowed three runs in the ninth inning last night and recorded his second consecutive blown save.  After the game, manager Torey Lovullo said that Rodney is still the closer.  Archie Bradley came on to get the last two outs of the eighth inning last night, and he looks like a possible option to close games.  However when asked if Bradley would see save chances Lovullo said “not right now.”  The Diamondbacks seem intent on sticking with Rodney for now, but he will be unavailable on Sunday  so if there is a save chance it could give us a glimpse into what the plans would be if Rodney continues to struggle.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Hoover | de la Rosa.

Philadelphia Phillies – Just when it looked like Hector Neris may have settled into the closer’s role after converting three straight saves, he blew up on Saturday night.  Neris gave up back-to-back-to-back homers to the first three batters he faced in the ninth inning trying to protect a three run lead.  After the game manager Pete Mackanin stated the obvious that he would “like to have a lights-out closer, but we don’t have one right now.”  Neris should still see most save chances but this slip up could allow Benoit to get back into the conversation.

Hierarchy remains: *Neris | Benoit | Ramos.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna got back on track with a perfect inning for the save yesterday.  Jason Grilli was nowhere to be found as Joe Smith got his second consecutive eighth inning hold.  However, it was Joe Biagini who had the most important role in the win. He threw a perfect sixth and seventh inning, including stranding two inherited runners in the sixth while protecting a one run lead.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Biagini | Smith.

Texas Rangers — Keone Kela pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of closer Matt Bush yesterday, and has yet to allow a run since getting called up in mid-April.  Kela should continue to see time in the later innings and with Jeffress coming off an outing where he gave up three runs and took the loss, he could work his way into the set-up role.

Updated hierarchy: Bush | Jeffress | Kela.

New York Mets — Hansel Robles struck out four batters in 1.2 scoreless innings yesterday, and has been pitching well recently.  Meanwhile Fernando Salas has been struggling after getting off to a solid start, giving up six runs over his past four appearances.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Reed | Robles.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. J.J. Hoover/Jorge de la Rosa – Fernando Rodney threw 34 pitches in a blown save on Saturday
2. Hansel Robles/Fernando Salas – Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed have both pitched in three straight
3. Adam Ottavino – Greg Holland has pitched in two straight and the Rockies could be cautious with him this early in the season.

Monday:
1. Nate Jones – David Robertson threw 33 pitches on Saturday and if he pitches again on Sunday, he would likely be rested on Monday.
2. Andrew Miller/Brian Shaw – If Cody Allen pitches on Sunday, that will be the fourth time in five days.  Miller threw 29 pitches on Saturday so if he also pitches on Sunday, that could leave Brian Shaw for the save on Monday.

Could Joe Biagini get some save opportunities in Toronto?

April 29, 2017

Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays’ bullpen continues to be a disaster. Presumptive setup man Jason Grilli was brought in with one out in the eighth inning to protect a one-run lead, and immediately gave up the tying homer and a walk. After a strikeout, Grilli was pulled, but took the loss when his runner came around to score, lifting his ERA to an ugly 7.27. With Roberto Osuna also struggling, some think John Gibbons should turn to Joe Biagini. Biagini doesn’t have swing-and-miss stuff, but has a reliable cut fastball, and certainly wouldn’t be the first reliever to lean heavily on a cutter. Don’t be surprised if Biagini starts getting the eighth inning, or even a shot at the ninth.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Grilli | Biagini.

Baltimore Orioles — The clock finally struck midnight for Brad Brach, with his first three earned runs of the season coming as part of a massive 10-run Yankee comeback. Orioles fans can be comforted by the imminent return of Zach Britton (Sunday or Tuesday), and cautioned by the two walks and a home run he gave up in last night’s rehab outing against the legendary Akron Rubber Ducks. #AffordableFamilyFun!

Hierarchy remains: Brach | O’Day | Givens.

Minnesota Twins — Brandon Kintzler has been excellent as Minnesota’s closer, but behind him the Twins are searching for consistency. Ryan Pressly got his ERA below 9 on Friday, but it was in the seventh inning of a game his team was losing by two. It appears that Pressly is getting some space to fix his command issues, so look for Taylor Rogers to pick up the slack. He’s something of a lefty specialist, but has five holds already, including the last out of the eighth last night.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Belisle | Rogers.

Los Angeles Angels — The Vulture Save Watch correctly predicted that Bud Norris would get a break, but with a three-run lead in the ninth, the Angels decided to use Jose Alvarez against a lefty-heavy lineup. Alvarez is not a typical LOOGY, but he’s the only lefty in the bullpen, so he picks up some matchups. David Hernandez pitched a perfect eighth inning, while Blake Parker was waiting to put out any fires that may have arisen in the ninth. We think it’s still Parker, then Hernandez, behind Norris.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Parker | Hernandez.

New York Mets — Jeurys Familia pitched himself into trouble in his first save opportunity, loading the bases with three singles, up two in the ninth. Familia did strike out the next batter, but was pulled so lefty Josh Edgin could face Bryce Harper. Edgin got Harper to ground into a 1-2-3 double play, picking up his first save. Familia had a rough outing, but hopefully has worked through the rust.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Reed | Salas.

Tampa Bay Rays — With both Alex Colome and Danny Farquhar resting, Jumbo Diaz got the call up four in the 9th. After a leadoff double followed by a single and a sacrifice fly, Chase Whitley came in to end the threat. He got the next two outs for his first save of the year. Whitley has been an effective long reliever since his return from Tommy John surgery; going forward, he’s mostly just a threat for three-inning saves.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Farquhar | Diaz.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Hunter Strickland — Mark Melancon has gone in three straight (4 of 5).
2. Nick Vincent — Edwin Diaz has pitched in three in a row (50 pitches).
3. Darren O’Day — Brach needed 30 pitches last night and has thrown 58 in the last three days.
4. Drew Storen/Michael Lorenzen — Bryan Price has been very committed to not throwing relievers on consecutive days, and Raisel Iglesias pitched last night. It was Iglesias’s first appearance since last Sunday, though, so if there was ever a time to go back-to-back, today would likely be it.
5. Sergio Romo — Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight (3 of 4).
6. Addison Reed — The Mets might go easy on Jeurys Familia as he returns to the closer role.

Sunday
1. Arodys Vizcaino — Jim Johnson has gone in two in a row and might rest if he pitches Saturday.
2. Reed — If Familia does go, he won’t pitch Sunday.
3. Trevor Rosenthal — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched on back-to-back days, including a four-out save last night. Look for him to rest Sunday if he gets another chance tonight.
4. Dellin Betances — Aroldis Chapman has thrown 49 pitches over three days.
5. Andrew Miller — It’s been two of three for Cody Allen.
6. Corey Knebel — Same for Neftali Feliz, who took the loss Friday.

Fernando Rodney’s quiver is almost empty

April 28, 2017

Arizona Diamondbacks –The monkey is keeping a close eye on this situation, folks. With a four-run lead in the ninth Thursday, the D-Backs opted to use J.J. Hoover, who pitched a clean inning. Jorge De La Rosa was available, but Torey Luvullo’s use of Hoover may indicate he’s the man to own behind the tired (he had pitched in three of five days) and bad (11.00 ERA) Fernando Rodney, who has to be on a short leash. Many locals are pulling for long reliever Archie Bradley to close, but he may be better suited for the rotation as Shelby Miller is considering Tommy John surgery.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Hoover | de la Rosa.

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels have used a hodgepodge of relievers to bridge the gap in save situations over the last week, including David Hernandez, Yusmeiro Petit, Deolis Guerra, Blake Parker and Jose Alvarez. But one thing has been most consistent: Bud Norris (four saves)  has picked up each save chance and converted each time the Angels had a slim lead in the ninth lately, including on Thursday. With Cam Bedrosian nursing a sore groin and Huston Street out until at least June 1, Norris is the clear man to own for the Angels.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Parker | Hernandez.

Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays stink. Nothing has gone right, and that’s especially true for closer Roberto Osuna, who had another rough outing and blown save Thursday. Osuna gave up a game-tying, two-out, two-run HR in the 9th to Randal Grichuk as the Jays lost again. After the game, manager John Gibbons said Osuna “just has to figure it out.” No kidding.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Grilli | Biagini.

St. Louis Cardinals – Seung Hwan Oh pitched a scoreless ninth inning with the score tied in the first game of a doubleheader, so in the nightcap with Oh unavailable, Trevor Rosenthal got his second vulture save. Rosenthal has really pitched well this year (2.84 ERA, 13 K’s, 2 SV in 7 G) and may have the inside track to the closer gig if Oh falters.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Rosenthal | Bowman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Blake Parker/David Hernandez — We may find out who the No. 2 man for the Angels is on Friday, as Bud Norris has pitched in two straight and three of the last for days. Looking further back, Norris has pitched in six of the last eight days.
2. Derek Law — Both Mark Melancon (three of the last four days) and Hunter Strickland (three straight, four of five) have been busy and pitched Thursday. Law, who got the night off Thursday, would presumably be available for the save situation Friday if needed.

Saturday:
1. Blake Parker/David Hernandez — If Norris gets the ball AGAIN on Friday, that’ll be three straight and four of five for him. That wouldn’t be shocking, as he pitched in four of five last week, but a Friday appearance would bring his workload to an unsustainable level (pitching in seven of the last nine days).
2. Andrew Miller — If Cody Allen pitches Friday, that’ll be three appearances in three days for him. He would almost certainly get rest Saturday, giving Miller a chance.
3. Sergio Romo — Sergio Romo may get a save chance Saturday because if Kenley Jansen pitches Friday, that’ll be his third appearance in four days.
4. Nick Vincent/Mark Rzepczynski — Edwin Diaz has pitched in two straight games, so a Friday appearance would mean he’d need a rest Saturday.
5. Joaquin Benoit — Hector Neris has pitched in two straight. If he goes again Friday, look for Benoit to get a shot Saturday. Also, these two pitch in a Pete Mackanin committee, so we suppose Benoit could get the call on any given night (but let’s face it – Neris is the guy to own).

Shawn Kelley finally gets the Nationals’ closer role all to himself

April 27, 2017

Washington Nationals — Shawn Kelley will have the chance to run with the Nationals’ closer job now that Koda Glover is headed to the DL with pain in his left hip, the same one that troubled him at the end of last season. Matt Albers and Joe Blanton will rise in Glover’s absence, and Blanton’s early struggles (10.13 ERA) give Albers the edge.

Updated hierarchy: Kelley | Treinen | Albers.

Arizona Diamondbacks — One bright spot for Arizona is that only a record-low 12,215 fans saw Fernando Rodney blow Wednesday’s night save (5 runs, 6 hits). Another has been the work of young Archie Bradley, whose three-inning, five-strikeout outing appeared to be an effort to stretch him out for the rotation with Shelby Miller hurt. If Bradley does stay in the bullpen, he could be ideal in the Andrew Miller stopper role.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | de la Rosa | Hoover.

Colorado Rockies — Back spasms sent Mike Dunn to the 10-day DL, backdated to Sunday. Chad Qualls was activated to replace him, but it looks like Jake McGee will slide into his role, with Qualls and Carlos Estevez also late-inning hold options.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Ottavino | McGee.

Texas Rangers — When Sam Dyson returns from the disabled list (as early as Friday), he won’t be anywhere near the ninth inning. It’s Matt Bush’s job now.

Hierarchy remains: Bush | Jeffress | LeClerc.

Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes will be out of vulture save contention through Saturday; he dropped his appeal of a four-game suspension for throwing a 90 MPH fastball behind Manny Machado’s head.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Barnes | Hembree.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Dellin Betances — Aroldis Chapman struggled through a 33-pitch save on Wednesday and could get Thursday off.
2. Jorge de la Rosa — Rodney’s rough Wednesday could earn him a day off.

Friday:
1. Dellin Betances/Tyler Clippard — If Chapman does go Thursday, he’ll be off Friday. If Betances pitches Thursday, the Friday save should go to Clippard.
2. Danny Farquhar — Although the Rays have Thursday off, Alex Colome still will have pitched on two of the last three days, and four of the last six (87 pitches).
3. Blake Parker — Bud Norris is close to losing the committee asterisk, but if he pitches again on Thursday, he’ll probably get Friday off.
4. Hunter Strickland/Derek Law — Another outing for Mark Melancon would be his third in four days. Both Strickland and Law have been busy too, so this is contingent on a day off for them.

Hector Rondon continues to pitch well

April 26, 2017

Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon has continued his rise in the Cubs’ bullpen, extending his streak of scoreless appearances to five games with an eighth-inning hold on Tuesday. Rondon has walked a man in three of those appearances, but with only one hit scattered amongst those four innings in addition to five strikeouts, he has continuously been solid without getting into much trouble. If he keeps pitching like this, it will be hard to keep him out of the eighth inning in close games going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Rondon | Uehara.

Milwaukee Brewers – Tommy Milone picked up just the second save of his career Tuesday, pitching the final three innings of a 9-1 win over the Reds. Expect a close check on Milone’s blood and urine after Tuesday’s performance, his first save since Aug. 23, 2015, when he was with the Twins.

Hierarchy remains: Feliz | Knebel | Barnes.

Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna’s struggles continued on Tuesday as he blew a save chance against the Cardinals. He has now allowed an earned run in three of his first five appearances since returning from the DL. When the Jays regained the lead in the 11th, they called upon Ryan Tepera to earn his second career save and first since 2015. Also, this happened.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Grilli | Biagini.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
Today
1. Danny Farquhar – Alex Colome has pitched three of the last four days.

Thursday
1. Koda Glover – If Shawn Kelley goes on Wednesday it will be two straight for him.
2. Jason Grilli – Roberto Osuna threw 19 pitches in a blown save on Tuesday. If he struggles through a hefy outing again on Wednesday, we may see Grilli on Thursday.
3. Sean Doolittle – Santiago Casilla took forever to get through 16 pitches and a blown save on Tuesday. If he has a lengthy outing on Wednesday, a night off Thursday may in his future.
4. Sergio Romo – Kenley Jansen threw 22 pitches in a four-out save Tuesday. Don’t expect him to go for a third straight day on Thursday should the situation arise.