April 30, 2018
Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day has collected the last two saves in the Baltimore bullpen, with the rather looming caveat that they’ve come 9 days apart. O’Day has given up three HRs in 11.2 IP this year, which obviously isn’t ideal for a closer, but he’s also got 15 Ks (and only 2 BBs), and an ERA/WHIP of 3.86 and 1.03, and with Brad Brach’s uninspiring start (5.73 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) and Mychal Givens’s struggles with command (8 BBs in 12.1 IP), O’Day will probably continue on as the first choice for saves in Baltimore. Another save or two, and we’ll consider removing his asterisk.
Updated hierarchy: *O’Day | Brach | Bleier.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Brad Ziegler picked up a crucial save on Sunday, striking out two hitters in a clean 9th inning. The outing should buy Ziegler another opportunity or two, though Kyle Barraclough, who logged Saturday’s save, continues to loom. Drew Steckenrider, meanwhile, remains the darkhorse to seize this job despite probably having the best numbers of the three thus far.
Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Barraclough | Steckenrider.
St. Louis Cardinals – Our ritualistic “Greg Holland still isn’t quite there yet” update begins its fourth week with three more hits and another earned run in a game the Cardinals were losing by 4. Greg Holland still isn’t quite there yet, you guys.
Updated hierarchy: *Norris | Holland | Hicks.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals – Coming into Sunday’s game, Blaine Boyer had logged 8 innings this season, scattering 14 hits and walking 6 batters in support of a tidy 16.88 ERA. So, with Kelvin Herrera getting the day off after appearing in three straight, of COURSE it was Boyer who was tapped for the save against the White Sox. Normally we don’t offer this for saves of the 1-inning variety, but this save was just so unlikely that we’re giving away a year of Closer Monkey Premium to the first person who can prove, via screenshot, that they had Boyer in their active lineup yesterday.
Hierarchy remains: Herrera | Keller | Flynn.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Madson – Sean Doolittle has pitched in three straight.
2. Tony Watson – Hunter Strickland has pitched in three straight.
Tomorrow
1. Sergio Romo – If Alex Colome goes today, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
2. CJ Edwards – If Brandon Morrow goes today, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
3. David Robertson – If Aroldis Chapman goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
