Trevor Hildenberger with his third straight save, but the job isn’t all his yet

August 16, 2018

Minnesota Twins — Trevor Hildenberger may be getting the hang of this, picking up his third save in as many chances since Fernando Rodney’s departure. Paul Molitor insists that the closer role is still fluid, and although Hildenberger was asked to pick a closer entrance song on Wednesday, so were four other guys with a shot to close (Addison Reed, Trevor May, Taylor Rogers, and Tyler Duffey). Reed has been passed over for those other guys lately in the middle innings, but if Molitor is telling the truth, Reed could still get the next chance.

Hierarchy remains: *Hildenberger | Reed | May.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — Oakland is consistently using Fernando Rodney later than Lou Trivino, and we have to believe that Rodney would be the team’s third choice for saves at this point.

Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Familia | Rodney.

Toronto Blue Jays — Ken Giles gave up a one-out home run in the ninth on Wednesday, but he still converted his third save in four days — enough to pull the committee asterisk from the Blue Jays.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Tepera | Clippard.

Chicago White Sox — Ugh, these guys again. Wednesday it was Jeanmar Gomez to start the ninth with a walk, a single, and a strikeout. Lefty Luis Avilan hadn’t pitched with a lead in two weeks, so of course Rick Renteria called his number. Avilan wasn’t particularly effective, allowing Gomez’s two baserunners to score on two hits, but he managed to secure a third out for his second save. STAY AWAY.

Hierarchy remains: *Cedeno | Vieira | Minaya. 
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brad Brach — AJ Minter has appeared in three of four.
2. Addison Reed — Two straight nights for Hildenberger and a manager who’s talking matchups.
3. Ryan Tepera — Ken Giles has gone in three of four.
4. Jordan Hicks — So has Bud Norris.
5. Justin Anderson — And Blake Parker.

Friday:
1. Craig Stammen — Kirby Yates has pitched in two of three.