AJ Minter and Dan Winkler to share save chances with Vizcaino hurting

June 25, 2018

Atlanta Braves – Up by 2 runs — and having put Arodys Vizcaino on the DL earlier in the day — the Braves summoned Dan Winkler for the 8th inning, leaving the 9th to AJ Minter. Both men did their jobs, though the Braves tacked on two more in the bottom of the 8th, so it wasn’t a save chance for Minter. Every indication thus far has been that the Braves will play matchups with these two, but since Minter has a save now and Winkler blew his chance on Friday, we’ll bump the lefty up to the top. Expect one of these two guys to get virtually every save chance until Arodys Vizcaino returns.

Updated hierarchy: *Minter | Winkler | Carle.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – Trevor Hildenberger logged another scoreless inning yesterday, picking up his third hold of the week — two of which have come immediately in front of Fernando Rodney. Meanwhile, Addison Reed has allowed 14 baserunners in 7.2 innings since the start of June, and has been used most recently in games that the Twins were losing. Reed has the experience, so he could still be tapped for saves when Rodney is unavailable, but for now, usage indicates that Hildenberger is the next man up.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Hildenberger | Reed.

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays used closer Ryan Tepera to try and get out of an 8th inning jam, but while the righty wasn’t charged with any earned runs himself, he did allow all of his inherited runners to score, resulting in a blown save. He stayed on for the 9th, and then gave way to Tyler Clippard for the 10th after the Blue Jays rallied. Clippard allowed a leadoff single, but hung on for his 4th save of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Tepera | Oh | Clippard.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Seung-Hwan Oh – Ryan Tepera has pitched 2.1 innings over the last two days.

Tomorrow
1. Drew Steckenrider/Brad Ziegler – If Kyle Barraclough goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
2. Josh Fields – If Kenley Jansen goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
3. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
4. Archie Bradley – If Brad Boxberger goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.

Arodys Vizcaino hits the DL

June 24, 2018

Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino has been held out of the last two games while dealing with a balky shoulder. There were hopes he’d be available today, but that’s not the case as the closer has been placed on the 10-day disabled list. He’s out until at least the first week of July. With Vizcaino out, look for Dan Winkler and AJ Minter to lead a committee, with Winkler likely getting the bulk of the cracks. WIth Vizcaino unavailable on Friday, Braves manager Brian Snitker went with Winkler, who was charged with four runs in blowing the save. This is a very fluid situation that we’ll monitor closely.

Updated hierarchy: *Winkler | Minter | Carle.
* = closer-by-committee

Zach Britton records save while Arodys Vizcaino battles injury

June 24, 2018

Baltimore Orioles — After a rough outing on Friday night, the Orioles sent Zach Britton right back out there in a save situation, and he pitched a scoreless inning for his first save in 2018.  Britton will continue to see save chances while the Orioles try to boost his trade value.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | Brach | O’Day. 

Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino was unavailable again on Saturday as he battles a balky shoulder.  The Braves are hopeful Vizcaino will be ready on Sunday, but if his shoulder does not get better, a trip to the disabled list could be possible.

Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Winkler | Minter.

Kansas City Royals — After starting pitcher Ian Kennedy went seven innings and the Royals had a one-run lead, manager Ned Yost turned to Wily Peralta for the eighth inning.  Peralta pitched a scoreless inning for the hold and was hitting 97-98 on the radar gun.  Brandon Maurer trotted out for the save chance in the ninth and after striking out the first batter, he gave up back to back singles and a sacrifice fly to allow the game-tying run to score.  Manager Ned Yost said he wanted to give Kevin McCarthy the night off.  This bullpen is very unsettled after the trade of Kelvin Herrera, but we still think Kevin McCarthy is the best reliever to own at this point.

Hierarchy remains: *McCarthy | Hill | Maurer.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians — Veteran lefty Oliver Perez recorded the last two outs of the seventh inning last night before giving way to Neil Ramirez in the eighth and Cody Allen in the ninth.  Perez has recorded four holds in his last seven appearances and has quickly moved up in a bullpen desperate for quality innings.

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Ramirez | Perez.

Texas Rangers — Keone Kela picked up the save on Saturday and is a perfect 18 for 18 in save chances this season.  However, with the Rangers in last place in the AL West, they are reportedly making Kela available on the trade market.  We have already seen two closers get traded this season, and we will monitor this situation to see if any teams start making offers.

Hierarchy remains: Kela | Diekman | Martin.

Philadelphia Phillies — Seranthony Dominguez returned to the closer’s role on Saturday and responded with a perfect inning, including two strikeouts.  Dominguez is the best reliever that the Phillies have but don’t expect him to be used like a traditional closer.  Manager Gabe Kapler will likely continue to mix and match and that hurts Dominguez’s chances for racking up saves.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dan Winkler/AJ Minter – Arodys Vizcaino is battling shoulder soreness.
2. Brad Brach – Zach Britton has pitched in two straight and three of four.

Monday
1. Lou Trivino – Blake Treinen threw 25 pitches in a five out save yesterday and could get Monday off if he pitches on Sunday.
2. Jordan Hicks/Sam Tuivailala – If Bud Norris pitches on Sunday, it will be three in a row.  If Jordan Hicks is also needed on Sunday, it will also be three in a row for him and that could leave Sam Tuivailala for any save chance on Monday.
3. Chaz Roe/Jose Alvarado – Sergio Romo has gone in two straight.  Chaz Roe has also gone in two straight so if they both pitch on Sunday, Jose Alvarado could get the call on Monday.

 

Brad Boxberger’s ugly June continues

June 23, 2018

Arizona Diamondbacks — Brad Boxberger blew a save in the bottom of the 11th inning, but managed to keep the game tied. When Arizona retook the lead in the 13th, it was T.J. McFarland who closed the game out. This was McFarland’s first career save, with both Hirano and Bradley having pitched earlier in the game. McFarland is normally a long reliever for Arizona, and doesn’t usually see the late innings. Meanwhile, Boxberger has been awful in June, sporting a 9.95 ERA and as many blown saves as conversions. With Arizona holding onto first place in the NL West, they may have to look to Bradley or Hirano if Boxberger continues to struggle.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Bradley | Hirano.

Atlanta Braves — The Braves turned to Dan Winkler, not Arodys Vizcaino, to protect a two-run lead in the 9th inning. Winkler had a brutal outing, giving up four runs and paving the way for Zach Britton to create his own drama (see below). After the game, Brian Snitker indicated that Vizcaino was dealing with a sore shoulder and that he hoped Vizcaino would be available today. We will monitor this to be sure it isn’t worse, but any shoulder injury is worth taking seriously.

Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Winkler | Minter.

Los Angeles Angels — One day after Justin Anderson’s noteworthy save, Blake Parker pitched a perfect 9th inning in a one-run game to lock down his ninth save of the year. Parker had been going through a rough stretch, so this outing was badly needed to right the ship. Meanwhile, Cam Bedrosian recorded his second straight hold, and has only given up one earned run in June. This is one of the most unpredictable bullpens in the majors, and this past week keeps that designation alive.

Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Anderson | Bedrosian
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — For the first time since trading closer Kelvin Herrera, the Royals won a game. They took the lead in the 9th inning and called upon Tim Hill to close out the victory. He pitched a perfect inning to earn the first save of his career. Hill was set to face the bottom of the Houston lineup in a tie game, and Ned Yost liked the matchups that part of the lineup presented, as two lefties and a switch hitter were due up in the ninth for Houston. Still probably wise to stay away from this bullpen if you’re looking for saves.

Updated hierarchy: *McCarthy | Hill | Maurer.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers — Jesse Chavez was called on to protect a three-run lead in the 8th inning, and after the Rangers put up four more runs in the 9th, he stayed in to pick up his first save since April 2015. The other news for the Rangers is that Chris Martin was activated from the DL, and pitched a perfect 7th inning for his ninth hold of the year. He jumps right back into the hierarchy after Friday’s solid outing.

Updated hierarchy: Kela | Diekman | Martin.

Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton got the call to protect a four-run lead in Friday’s 9th inning, but he had a miserable outing. Five hits and a hit batter brought in four runs, and Britton’s only recorded out was Freddie Freeman getting thrown out at the plate after a  Nick Markakis double. Darren O’Day cleaned up the mess, and the Orioles went on to win in extra innings. This was a concerning outing for fantasy owners, but this was the first time Britton had given up any runs this year. Britton is still likely to get save chances while he is in a Baltimore uniform because the Orioles are basically out of the playoff race already, and with Britton in a contract year, they will want to showcase him as a trade piece.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | Brach | O’Day. 

Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna has agreed to a 75-game suspension under the MLB domestic violence policy, which will keep him out until August 5th. It’s too soon to speculate how Toronto will handle Osuna when he finishes his suspension, but Ryan Tepera has seized control of the closer’s role for now and may keep that spot upon Osuna’s return.

Hierarchy remains: Tepera | Oh | Clippard.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. AJ Minter –Dan Winkler is coming off a 20-pitch outing and Arodys Vizcaino is dealing with a sore shoulder. If both can’t go it would be Minter to get the chance today.

Sunday:
1. Dan Winkler/AJ Minter — If Arodys Vizcaino does pitch today, he may get held out of Sunday’s contest to try and rest his shoulder.
2. Jared Hughes — If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, it will be back-to-back and three of the last four.
3. Brad Brach — Same goes for Zach Britton.

Justin Anderson nails down “noteworthy” save for Angels

June 22, 2018

Los Angeles Angels — Here’s another update on one of the most volatile bullpens in baseball. Justin Anderson, not Blake Parker, picked up the save Thursday night. One Angels beat writer found Anderson’s save “noteworthy,” but no one else elaborated any further. We think it’s noteworthy, too, especially since Parker was off the previous day and had allowed five runs in his three previous appearances. Grab Anderson as a handcuff if he’s still available.

Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Anderson | Alvarez.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants — With anointed closer Sam Dyson likely unavailable after pitching in three straight, and Tony Watson having gone in three of four, the Giants finally turned (as we predicted) to Mark Melancon, who nailed down his first save since June 20 . . . 2017! Melancon allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a clean inning of work. The job may be his before Hunter Strickland gets back. Strickland, meanwhile, apologized publicly on Thursday, saying punching a door and breaking his pitching hand is “100 percent on him.”

Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Watson | Melancon.

Colorado Rockies — The Rockies bullpen has been taxed lately, so (as predicted) manager Bud Black took his chances with an overworked Jake McGee with a lead in the ninth. McGee allowed a run but delivered his first save of the season. He has now pitched in four of five. Adam Ottavino and Wade Davis (who each previously pitched in three out of four) were held out. Score a second partial win for the Vulture Save Watch!

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Ottavino | McGee.

Cincinnati Reds — Jared Hughes entered Thursday’s game in a save situation — there were two men on and the tying run was in the on-deck circle. He picked up a strikeout to end the inning, and with the Reds still holding a four-run lead, he stayed on for the ninth, retiring the side in order for his fifth save. Had Raisel Iglesias entered in the ninth, it would not have been a save situation, so Reds manager Jim Riggleman opted to rest his closer.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Hughes | Garrett.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Dellin Betances — Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight, three of four and four of six.

Saturday:
1. Adam Ottavino — As you know, the Rockies bullpen has been busy. If Davis pitches Friday, that’ll be three out of four (and four of six).
2. Kelvin Herrera — Entering Friday, Sean Doolittle has pitched in two of three. So has Herrera, but Herrera had a great deal of rest (7 days) in between being traded from the Royals to the Nationals.
3. Addison Reed/Trevor Hildenberger —  If he goes on Friday, it’ll be three of four for Fernando Rodney.