June 13, 2018
Houston Astros – After Hector Rondon’s string of three saves in five days, the Astros turned to Ken Giles to get the final three outs of Tuesday’s win. Rondon was reportedly unavailable after his recent usage, giving Giles a chance to pick up his 11th save in 11 tries. Not only has Giles not blown a save chance but he also hasn’t allowed a run in any of those 11 opportunities. We’ll keep Rondon at the top of the hierarchy for now, but don’t be surprised if Giles gets another save chance and moves back to the front of the line.
Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Giles | Devenski.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays – We mentioned yesterday that Sergio Romo was most likely to see a save chance when he isn’t starting, and last night that very situation presented itself. Romo locked down a 4-1 lead in the ninth inning to pick up his second save of the year. Romo remains the arm to own in Tampa.
Hierarchy remains: *Romo | Roe | Alvarado.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — It’s time to talk about how good Dellin Betances has been lately. On Tuesday, Betances ran his scoreless streak to eight innings thanks to a pair of strikeouts. Betances has been lights out over the past month, allowing just one hit and recording 13 strikeouts over his last eight appearances. More importantly, he has issued just five walks in that span, including none over his last five games. The way Betances is pitching, it’s hard to believe Aaron Boone would look to anyone else to get a save if Aroldis Chapman is unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Betances | Robertson.
Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton made his first appearance of the season on Tuesday, getting the seventh inning with the Orioles trailing, 6-2. Britton showed some rust, walking three of the first four hitters he faced, but he battled back and got some good fortune along the way to finish the 26-pitch inning with no hits allowed and one strikeout. In other good news for the Orioles, Darren O’Day completed his second straight two-strikeout appearance on Tuesday.
Hierarchy remains: Brach | Britton | O’Day.
Philadelphia Phillies – Gabe Kapler called upon Tommy Hunter to protect a 4-1 lead in the eighth, and Hunter delivered. The Phillies’ bullpen is still a bit unsettled, but it’s safe to say Hunter is ahead of Hector Neris at this point.
Updated Hierarchy: *Dominguez | Ramos | Hunter.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers — In just his second appearance of the season, Daniel Corcino pitched the final three innings of the Dodgers’ 12-5 victory over Texas to pick up his first career save.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Fields | Goeddel.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Alex Colome – Edwin Diaz has pitched in three straight games.
2. Matt Barnes/Joe Kelly – Craig Kimbrel has thrown 71 pitches over the past four days, including 56 over the last two games. Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes have also gone in three of the last four, but Barnes is the only one who has not thrown in back-to-back games.
3. Drew Steckenrider – Kyle Barraclough has pitched in back-to-back games and has yet to throw in three straight this year.
4. Chaz Roe/Jose Alvarado – Sergio Romo has pitched in three straight games. Kevin Cash could play matchups in the late innings or he could just flip a coin. Nothing will surprise us.
Tomorrow
1. Addison Reed – If Fernando Rodney gets the ball today it will be two straight and three of the last four.
2. Edubray Ramos – Same goes for Seranthony Dominguez.
3. Kirby Yates/Craig Stammen – If Brad Hand pitches today, that will two straight and four of the last five. The same goes for Yates, so Stammen may be a dark horse to vulture a save on Thursday.
4. Matt Barnes/Joe Kelly – If Kimbrel does get the ball today, Barnes or Kelly should see Thursday’s save chance depending on who is more rested. If all three are unavailable, Brandon Workman or Brian Johnson would be potential candidates.
