Will Smith, Wily Peralta emerging from their committees

July 10, 2018

Kansas City Royals – Wily Peralta was held back on Sunday, seemingly for a possible comeback that would require saving. He looks to be solidly at the front of this committee, but the Royals bullpen has not recorded a save since June 27, as the team is mired in a 10-game losing streak. If and when Peralta finally does notch another save or two, we’ll consider removing his asterisk.

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

San Francisco Giants – In a tie game, Bruce Bochy used the 7-8-9 combo of Watson-Melancon-Smith, which has seemingly become his preferred order. The last three saves have all gone to Smith, and he looks to be well ahead of his committee counterparts in the pecking order. We’ll consider removing his asterisk, as well, if this continues for another few games.

Updated hierarchy: *Smith | Watson | Melancon.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – It was an eventful doubleheader for Victor Arano. In game 1, the righty threw five pitches, the last of which was hit over the wall for a walkoff home run, but the Phillies went right back to him to get the final out of a 2-run game in the nightcap, and he earned his third save of the year. Arano now appears the second-most-likely candidate to receive save chances in Gabe Kapler’s anything-goes bullpen. (For his part, committee-leader Seranthony Dominguez threw two scoreless innings in game one and likely wasn’t available for game 2.)

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

New York Yankees – Giovanny Gallegos got a three-inning save in the second game of the Yankee doubleheader yesterday. He doesn’t factor in to the team’s usual late inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Robertson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Kyle Crick – Felipe Vazquez has gone in three straight.
2. Drew Steckenrider/Brad Ziegler – Kyle Barraclough, Steckenrider, and Ziegler have all pitched in back to back games and three of four, so anything could happen tonight — or tomorrow.

Tomorrow
1. Trevor Hildenberger – If Fernando Rodney goes tonight, it’ll be back to back games and five of six.
2. Brad Brach – If Zach Britton goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.