Joe Jimenez blows first chance with Shane Greene on DL

July 3, 2018

Detroit Tigers — As we predicted yesterday, Joe Jimenez has indeed taken over closing duties for the Tigers after Shane Greene was placed on the disabled list. Manager Ron Gardenhire thinks he’ll learn something from the temporary promotion. Anyway, Jimenez got his first crack Monday night but blew the save. Some feel he got a tough call on a 2-2 pitch with the bases loaded, so perhaps some bad luck was involved. The Tigers won anyway, giving Blaine Hardy his first career save with a scoreless tenth inning after Buck Farmer started the inning by allowing a single and was pulled. Jimenez is definitely the man to own, here, but Alex Wilson, Louis Coleman, Farmer and perhaps Hardy could factor into the team’s late-inning plans as well.

Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Wilson | Coleman. 

Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino was expected to be activated on Monday, but that didn’t happen, so A.J. Minter did the honors again and picked up his fourth save. Vizcaino is now expected to be activated on Tuesday, though we’ll see about that! Either way, he will be the closer upon his return.

Hierarchy remains: *Minter | Winkler | Carle.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers –Caleb Ferguson has pitched in six career games (three starts) and has factored into the decision three times already, with a win, a loss and his first career save, which came Monday night. The save was a very vulturey three-inning one in a 17-1 win. Free Closer Monkey Premium goes to the first person to prove they had Ferguson in their fantasy lineup for that save.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Goeddel | Alexander.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. AJ Minter/Dan Winkler – Arodys Vizcaino is expected back today, but we thought that was the case yesterday as well.

Tomorrow
1. Dellin Betances – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight…
2. Jared Hughes – …so has Raisel Iglesias.
3. Alex Wilson/Louis Coleman – Joe Jimenez has pitched in two of three, throwing 37 pitches. Alex Wilson is dealing with a calf strain, so he may not be available either.
4. Jordan Hicks – Bud Norris has gone in two of three.