August 18, 2018
Los Angeles Dodgers – The injuries keep piling up for the Dodgers as Erik Goeddel returned to the DL yesterday. Meanwhile, the Dodgers hope to get Kenley Jansen back early next week, as the all-star closer chose to delay surgery until the offseason. The Dodgers need the help since the bullpen has been woeful in the past week, although they did a fine job protecting a 10-run lead last night. Jansen is likely to go straight back to closing as soon as he is cleared to play, so this may be the last weekend for Scott Alexander or Kenta Maeda to snag a save opportunity.
Updated hierarchy: *Alexander | Maeda | Chargois.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – Hunter Strickland is due to be activated from the DL today and should return to high-leverage situations immediately. Will Smith has been outstanding for the Giants, recording 10 saves over the past six weeks, so until Strickland starts pulling save opportunities from him, he will return behind Smith and Tony Watson.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Watson | Strickland.
Chicago Cubs – As the Vulture Save Watch noted, CJ Edwards and Pedro Strop were both given the night off, leaving a mixture of four pitchers to protect a one-run lead. Joe Maddon elected to play matchups, and it fell to Jesse Chavez to get the final two outs of the game. He walked a batter but got David Freese to ground into the Pirates seventh double play of the night, tying a major league record. Chavez has been excellent since coming over from the Texas Rangers, but he isn’t going to crack the stacked Cubs hierarchy.
Hierarchy remains: Strop | Kintzler | Edwards.
Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen got the ninth inning for the Indians in a one-run game last night. He worked around a walk to strike out two batters and earn his 24th save of the year. This is also his fourth save since the Indians acquired Brad Hand. Hand also has four saves, making this one of the most even committees in the league. Expect Allen and Hand to trade off save opportunities as long as both pitchers are effective.
Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Allen | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — In a curious move, the Yankees brought out newly acquired closer Mother Nature while they batted in the 7th inning. She brought the thunder, ending the game moments after Giancarlo Stanton put the Yankees up by two with a homer off of Marcus Stroman. Never one to accumulate statistics, Nature granted the recorded save to David Robertson, but unofficial records have her perfect in save opportunities in her journeywoman career, having suited up for all 30 teams at some point. Despite her age of roughly 4.5 billion years, Nature shows no signs of stopping, but isn’t a consistent part of the Yankees bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Britton.
Minnesota Twins — Despite Trevor Hildenberger converting all three save chances he has been given since the Fernando Rodney trade, Paul Molitor elected to use Matt Magill to protect a two-run lead in the 9th. Magill gave up a run and put runners on first and second before Taylor Rogers came in to put out the fire. Rogers got a groundout to earn his first save of the season. Rogers had a rough start to the season, but he has run off 11 straight scoreless appearances and has five holds in August. Rogers is generally a LOOGY-type pitcher, but given his recent run he is worth an add in holds leagues if he is available. He may even snag a couple more save opportunities if the matchups are right.
Hierarchy remains: *Hildenberger | Reed | May.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — Seranthony Dominugez earned a break following two straight nights of work, which left the door open for Pat Neshek to record his third save of the year after Victor Arano pitched against the top of the Mets order in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: *Dominguez | Arano | Neshek.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jared Hughes — Raisel Iglesias threw 26 pitches last night and has pitched in three of the last four. Hughes has pitched on the same days, but only threw three pitches last night.
2. Cory Gearrin — Jose Leclerc has pitched back-to-back days (30 pitches) and could get today off.
Sunday:
1. Jeurys Familia — Blake Trienen threw 22 pitches last night and is coming off of three days in a row earlier this week. If he goes today, he will likely get a rest on Sunday.
2. Jordan Hicks — Today would be two straight and three of four for Bud Norris.
