Luis Garcia gets save for Phillies while Brad Ziegler keeps giving up runs

May 27, 2018

Philadelphia Phillies – Seranthony Dominguez continued his scoreless streak and also recorded his first win after the Phillies took the lead in the bottom of the eighth.  Who got the call for the save in the ninth?  Luis Garcia, of course.  Garcia pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his first save of the season.  The Phillies are in full committee mode and have a number of options to close out games.

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

Miami Marlins – The Marlins called on their closer Brad Ziegler to pitch the ninth inning of a tie game, and it didn’t go well.  Ziegler took the loss, giving up three runs while only recording two outs.  Ziegler’s ERA is now 7.54, but he is also 9 for 9 in save chances.  It’s pretty hard for a closer to lose his job without blowing a save, but Ziegler has to be on the edge.

Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Barraclough | Steckenrider. 

Cincinnati Reds — Jared Hughes got his second straight save chance since Raisel Iglesias got hurt, and although he made it very interesting by loading the bases with no outs, he was able to convert.  Hughes should continue to be the primary closer while Iglesias is out, but he has pitched in five of the past seven games and may need some rest.  David Hernandez got the eighth inning hold ahead of Hughes yesterday and could be an option, along with left Amir Garrett, if Hughes is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Hughes | Garrett | Hernandez.

Oakland A’s — The A’s placed Santiago Casilla on the DL with a sore right shoulder.  The A’s are hopeful Casilla doesn’t miss much time, but Lou Trivino and Yusmeiro Petit should fill in while he is out.

Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Trivino | Petit.

Cleveland Indians — Andrew Miller has returned to the DL, and has no timetable for return.  The Indians bullpen has really struggled this year, but Dan Otero got the job done on Saturday night by getting the last two outs of the eighth.  The Indians will likely continue to use the veteran righty in a late-inning role.

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Otero | Olson.

New York Mets — The struggles continued for AJ Ramos on Saturday.  He entered the game in the fifth inning with the Mets down just one, but he gave up three runs and could not even finish the inning.  It’s hard to imagine the Mets using Ramos in any meaningful innings anytime soon.  Look for Seth Lugo to take his place in the 7th and 8th inning.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Gsellman | Lugo.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Barnes – Both Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly have pitched in two straight and four of five.
2. Amir Garrett/David Hernandez – Jared Hughes has pitched in five of the last seven games.
3. Alex Colome – Edwin Diaz has appeared in two straight and four of the past five.
4. Dan Otero/Tyler Olson – Cody Allen has gone in back-to-back games and three of four.
5. Brandon Kintzler – Sean Doolittle has gone in two straight, including a five out save on Thursday.

Monday
1. Tony Watson – If Hunter Strickland pitches on Sunday, it will be three straight.
2. Robert Gsellman – The Mets play a doubleheader on Monday so Gsellman could get a shot if the Mets have save opportunities in both games, especially if Familia pitches on Sunday.
3. AJ Minter – The Braves are the other team in the doubleheader so Minter could see a save chance for the same reason listed above.

The Mariners have a new setup man in Alex Colome

May 26, 2018

Tampa Bay Rays – Closer Alex Colome was traded to the Seattle Mariners yesterday, leaving a hole at the back end of the Rays’ bullpen. Jose Alvarado is the best bet to step in, as he is the only other Ray to record a save this year and has put up solid numbers so far in 2018. Alvarado’s main competition for the closer’s role would be Sergio Romo, who took the loss last night after failing to get out of the first inning. Kevin Cash, who did not name a closer after the game, may reassess his options with Colome gone and pull the plug on the Romo as a starter, but as long as that experiment continues, Alvarado will likely see the bulk of save chances.

Updated hierarchy: Alvarado | Romo | Roe.

Seattle Mariners – The Mariners landed Alex Colome from the Tampa Bay Rays. Look for Colome to become the primary setup man for Edwin Diaz and a good source of holds in leagues where that matters. However, this is a major hit to Colome’s fantasy value.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Colome | Nicasio. 

Toronto Blue Jays — Ryan Tepera got the call in the 9th inning to protect a two-run lead. He gave up a run but managed to escape with his first save of the season. Tyler Clippard pitched the 8th inning ahead of Tepera and gave up a run for the third time in his last four outings. Based on tonight’s usage and Clippard’s recent struggles it seems that Tepera has moved to the front of the Jays committee for the time being.

Updated hierarchy: *Tepera | Clippard | Oh.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles — Richard Bleier has pitched the eighth inning in each of his last three appearances while Mychal Givens has seen the seventh inning in each of his last three outings. Bleier has the better numbers and is probably the guy to spell Brad Brach when he needs a night off. As for Darren O’Day, he was tentatively scheduled for a cortisone shot on Friday.

Updated hierarchy: Brach | Bleier | Givens.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Josh Hader/Jeremy Jeffress — Both Corey Knebel and Josh Hader threw over 30 pitches yesterday, and Counsell may elect to rest one or both today.

Sunday:
1. Joe Kelly/Matt Barnes – Both Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly have pitched in three of the last four, so if either one goes today they would likely need a rest for Sunday.
2. Andrew Miller/Tyler Olson – Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Cody Allen. Today would also be back-to-back and four of five for Andrew Miller.
3. Joe Jimenez – Today would also be back-to-back and three of four for Shane Greene.
4. Josh Fields – If Kenley Jansen pitches today, that would be two straight and four of his last five.
5. Alex Colome – The same can be said for Edwin Diaz…
6. Chris Martin – …and Keone Kela.

Rays trade Alex Colome to Seattle

May 25, 2018

Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays have traded Alex Colome to Seattle. Normally, we’d have guessed that Sergio Romo would be the man to step in to close, but that has been complicated by their decision to start him both tonight and Sunday. For tonight, we suspect Jose Alvarado would get the ball in the 9th inning. Going forward, they may re-assess and move Romo into a committee with Alvarado, or give him the ball outright. For the time being, both are worth adding if you’re speculating.

Updated hierarchy: Alvarado | Romo | Roe.

Seattle Mariners – Alex Colome loses his closer value and will join the set-up ranks of the Mariners. Look for him to get the ball in the 8th inning.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Colome | Nicasio. 

Jared Hughes picks up first Reds save with Raisel Iglesias on the DL

May 25, 2018

Cincinnati Reds — Pitching for the third straight day, Jared Hughes got the final two outs of the ninth inning to secure the first save for the Reds since Raisel Iglesias was placed on the disabled list, Hughes’s second overall. Hughes relieved Amir Garrett, who tossed 26 pitches over 1.2 innings. Garrett started the ninth with three lefties due up, but got the hook after allowing a two-run homer. Look for Michael Lorenzen to get the call should the Reds have another late-inning lead Friday, but that’s more because Hughes has been busy — he’s gone in four of the last five — and not because this is a murky committee situation. As we said before, we believe Hughes is the guy to lean on for saves with Iglesias out.

Hierarchy remains: Hughes | Garrett | Lorenzen.

Tampa Bay Rays —  It’s official. Rays manager Kevin Cash will use relievers to open each of the three games this weekend. Sergio Romo will start on Friday and Sunday, with Ryne Stanek taking the ball Saturday. The theory here is that the Orioles, like the Angels last weekend, are righty-heavy at the top of their order, so using a strong reliever to mow them down early will soften them up for the long reliever who follows. We’ll see how long this trend continues, but if Romo is starting games half of the time, he’s out of the running for vulture saves and holds. Jose Alvarado and Chaz Roe should pick up the slack. We’ll keep an eye on this fascinating strategy.

Updated hierarchy: Colome | Alvarado | Romo.

Toronto Blue Jays — The domestic assault allegations against Roberto Osuna are serious and of a physical nature, which may result in a significant ban, according to Jon Heyman. Osuna has reportedly denied causing any physical harm to the alleged victim. He continues to remain on paid administrative leave, which should be the case for the foreseeable future as the investigation continues.

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

New York Mets — Jeurys Familia has received the dreaded “vote of confidence” — though we believe this one — from manager Mickey Callaway, who says he has no plans to remove Familia from the closer’s role. Familia blew the save Wednesday and leads the majors with four such blunders, but he also has a 2.35 ERA with 28 Ks in 23 innings, so it’s not like he’s been terrible.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Gsellman | Ramos. 

Oakland A’s — Yusmeiro Petit threw three innings in middle relief to pick up the win Thursday, but it was Lou Trivino getting a couple outs in the eighth before handing the ball to Blake Treinen. Trivino has late-inning holds in two of the last three narrow wins for the A’s, giving him five holds on the season. Petit has been solid, but he’s being used more in middle relief lately, so we’ll give the slight edge to Trivino in the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Casilla | Trivino.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Michael Lorenzen — As we said, Jared Hughes has pitched in three straight and four of five. Amir Garrett threw 26 pitches Thursday and has pitched in two of three.

Saturday:
1. Santiago Casilla — Entering Friday, Blake Treinen has pitched in two of three, throwing 43 pitches.
2. Jose Alvarado — Alex Colome has thrown in two straight, though he threw only two pitches on Thursday. If he has a taxing outing today, Alvarado may be the guy for saves on Saturday.

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.