June 15, 2018
Colorado Rockies — Ace reliever Adam Ottavino was activated from the disabled list on Thursday and should immediately return to his spot setting up closer Wade Davis.
Updated hierarchy: Davis | Ottavino | McGee.
Houston Astros — Pitching in a spot normally reserved for a well-rested closer on Thursday, Hector Rondon pitched a clean ninth inning with a four-run lead. Rondon hadn’t pitched since Sunday. Ken Giles had the team’s most recent save on Tuesday night, but Rondon was unavailable that night due to his recent workload. Rondon stays atop this uncertain committee, but expect GIles to get saves, too.
Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Giles | Devenski.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants — After using Tony Watson in the seventh and eighth and Hunter Strickland in the ninth, the Giants handed the ball to Sam Dyson for a one-out save in the bottom of the 16th. Mark Melancon did not pitch, but may not yet be ready to go back-to-back.
Hierarchy remains: Strickland | Watson | Melancon.
St. Louis Cardinals — Jordan Hicks just keeps getting better. At first, the 21-year-old fireballer had uncharacteristically low strikeout numbers for someone throwing so hard. But now? He’s missing bats like a seasoned closer. He has piled up 12 strikeouts in just six June innings and his season K/9 is approaching 9.00.
Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hicks | Tuivailala.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Adam Conley — OK, hear us out. Kyle Barraclough, Drew Steckenrider and Brad Ziegler have each pitched in three of four. Of the three, Barraclough has thrown the fewest number of pitches (38) and had Wednesday off, so he could conceivably be available Friday. Conley has had more rest and picked up his second hold this week. Perhaps he’ll be trusted with the ball in the ninth?
2. Matt Barnes — Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly have appeared in three of the last four and four of the last six.
3. Kirby Yates/Craig Stammen — Even with Thursday’s off day, Brad Hand has pitched in four of six. Yates has, too, so Craig Stammen could be in line for an opportunity.
Saturday:
1. Tony Watson/Mark Melancon — Hunter Strickland and Tony Watson have pitched in two straight. If either pitches Friday they’ll likely be off on Saturday.
2. Joe Jimenez/Alex Wilson — Shane Greene and Joe Jimenez have each pitched in two straight.
3. Dan Winkler/AJ Minter — Same with Winkler and Arodys Vizcaino.
4. Dellin Betances/David Robertson — Betances and Aroldis Chapman have each pitched in two of three.
