July 14, 2018
Pittsburgh Pirates – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Felipe Vazquez was rested after pitching in three of the last four. That paved the way for Kyle Crick to get the last four outs of Friday’s win and earn his second save of the year. Crick extended his scoreless streak to 13 games and will continue to be the first choice for the Pirates when Vazquez is unavailable.
Hierarchy remains: Vazquez | Crick | Santana.
Philadelphia Phillies – As the Vulture Save Watch also predicted, Seranthony Dominguez was given a night off. However, Gabe Kapler chose to use Victor Arano in the 8th inning and Pat Neshek in the 9th to close out a 2-0 win. Neshek became the ninth Phillies player to record a save this year, which ties a franchise record. Neshek has been excellent in his five appearances this year and will continue to get late-inning looks.
Updated hierarchy: *Dominguez | Arano | Neshek.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets — Another VSW prediction came partly true, as Jeurys Familia was given the night off after pitching in back-to-back games and three of the last four. However, Robert Gsellman came on for the 8th inning with a three-run lead and stuck around for the 9th to record his fourth gsave of the year. Anthony Swarzak was rested, but he has struggled recently, giving up four runs in his only two July appearances. Given that and Gsellman’s clear vulture save last night, it looks like Gsellman has the inside track if Familia is unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Familia | Gsellman | Swarzak.
Los Angeles Dodgers — With a one-run lead in the 8th and with Kenley Jansen resting after back-to-back appearances, the Dodgers went with Erik Goeddel to face the 2, 3 and 4 hitters of the Angels. After Goeddel got through that inning, it was left to Scott Alexander to close out the game. Alexander stranded the tying run on third to convert his first save of the season. Because Goeddel faced the most dangerous part of the Angels lineup (read: Mike Trout), we will keep him right behind Jansen in the hierarchy despite Alexander getting the save. The Dodgers bullpen is very fluid behind Kenley Jansen, but Goeddel and Alexander seem to be the top two options.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Goeddel | Alexander.
St. Louis Cardinals — The Cardinals activated Tyler Lyons and Luke Gregerson before last night’s game. Gregerson gave up a hit and a walk while getting two outs in the 6th, while Lyons gave up a pair of runs in the 7th inning. Sam Tuivailala had a rough outing as well, surrendering three earned runs in a third of an inning. St. Louis has been searching for a bit of stability in their bullpen other than Jordan Hicks and Bud Norris, and if Gregerson can return to form he will be an important part of the bullpen. He’ll likely need to string together a few successful outings before he truly enters the late-inning conversation, however.
Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hicks | Tuivailala.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tyler Clippard — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in two straight and three of the last four, so Clippard should the be the favorite for a save in Toronto’s committee.
Sunday:
1. Adam Ottavino –Wade Davis has pitched in back-to-back games, but has kept his pitch count low.
2. Trevor Hildenberger — The same is true of Fernando Rodney.
3, Jace Fry — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Joakim Soria.
4. Steve Cishek/CJ Edwards — If Brandon Morrow pitches today, it will be back-to-back and three of four, but both Cishek and Edwards had long outings last night. If either pitches today, they also may not be available on Sunday.
5. Joe Jimenez – An appearance Saturday would be two straight for Shane Greene, who just came off the DL. The Tigers may choose to be careful with Greene.
