July 8, 2018
Philadelphia Phillies — Victor Arano pitched a scoreless ninth on Saturday for his second save in four days. Seranthony Dominguez pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of Arano. The Pirates had their 2-3-4 hitters due up in the 8th so the Phillies used Dominguez in that spot and left Arano for the 6-7-8 hitters. Dominguez had been used in a save situation in his last six appearances so this one hold isn’t enough to remove him from the top of our committee. However, he will likely see a few more high leverage spots prior to the ninth throughout the rest of the season, and Victor Arano should be in the mix for saves in those situations.
Updated hierarchy *Dominguez | Ramos | Arano.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman was removed from the game yesterday, but his injury is not considered serious. Chapman has been dealing with tendinitis in his left knee and manager Aaron Boone thought it wasn’t worth leaving him in the game. Chapman may get Sunday off and may get rested more throughout the season, but he shouldn’t miss any extended period of time at this point.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Robertson.
Atlanta Braves — It didn’t end up being a save opportunity for the Braves yesterday after they added three runs in the top of the 8th. However, it was notable how the braves deployed the back end of their bullpen. Closer Arodys Vizcaino pitched the 8th inning with AJ Minter getting the 9th inning. After the game, manager Brian Snitker said he liked Vizcaino’s match-ups in the 8th and that he would continue to take match-ups into account to ease Vizcaino in after recently returning from the DL. We won’t make this a committee yet, but it’s something worth monitoring for the next couple days.
Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Minter | Winkler.
St. Louis Cardinals — Bud Norris has put to bed any injury concerns for now after returning to the mound yesterday with a perfect ninth inning for his 17th save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hicks | Tuivailala.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trevor Hildenberger – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three in a row.
2. Justin Anderson – Blake Parker has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Eric Goeddel – Kenley Jansen has also pitched in two straight and three of four, throwing a total of 63 pitches during that time.
4. Dellin Betances – The Yankees could give Chapman Sunday off to rest his knee.
Monday
1. Lou Trivino/Ryan Buchter – Blake Treinen pitched two innings yesterday so if he pitches again on Sunday, he could get Monday off. The same goes for Lou Trivino.
2. Dellin Betances/David Robertson – The Yankees have a doubleheader on Monday.
3. Brad Brach – The Orioles play the Yankees in that doubleheader.
