March 31, 2019
Seattle Mariners — Hunter Strickland went on the IL yesterday and manager Scott Servais said that it could be a number of guys who get the ninth in his absence. Zak Rosscup started the ninth yesterday with the Mariners up four but couldn’t finish off the win. That left Nick Rumbelow to come on and get the final out for the save. We think Cory Gearrin is still the best bet for saves, but this certainly looks like a committee for now. Anthony Swarzak should return from the IL early next week and could also factor into save chances.
Updated hierarchy: Gearrin | Rosscup | Festa.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals — One game after recording the first save of the season, Brad Boxberger entered in the seventh inning with the Royals up four and promptly gave three runs back. That left converted started Ian Kennedy for the ninth and he converted his first career save. The Royals have had success converting starters into relievers (see Wade Davis), and Kennedy could be the latest example. After the game, manager Ned Yost said that he likes both Kennedy and Peralta in the ninth (no mention of Boxberger). This looks to be a committee until somebody can establish himself as the man, but it seems Boxberger is already behind Kennedy and Peralta, and maybe even Jake Diekman.
Updated hierarchy: * Kennedy | Peralta | Boxberger.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins — Game two of the season offered some insight into the Twins’ bullpen plans, and then it became complicated again. Trevor May started the seventh inning of a tie game and got removed for a lefty reliever after getting one out and giving up a hit. That doesn’t seem like the usage for your closer. Taylor Rogers pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Blake Parker came on for the ninth with the game still tied. Top of the ninth of a tie game at home is a common time to use your closer and given that Parker was warming while Rogers got the save in the first game, it appeared that Parker might be the guy. Then Parker actually pitched and it wasn’t very pretty. Parker got the first man out, but then gave up a hit, uncorked two wild pitches while walking the next man and gave up a sac fly for the go-ahead run. We will move Parker to the top of the committee even while taking the loss in a poor outing, but this bullpen appears to be wide open right now.
Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Rogers | May.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – A few days after being announced the closer, Will Smith recorded his first save of the season by striking out a pair in a perfect inning. However, it was Reyes Moronta who might have been the most impressive reliever for the Giants. Moronta struck out five batters in two innings and could be a guy to watch.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Dyson | Moronta.
Texas Rangers – Jose Leclerc picked up right where he left off last season with a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season. Shawn Kelly got the last out of the seventh inning and then pitched a perfect eighth ahead of Leclerc while picking up the win.
Updated hierarchy: LeClerc | Martin | Kelley.
Baltimore Orioles — With the Orioles protecting a two-run lead and 4-5-6 of the Yankees order due up in the eighth inning, Mychal Givens was summoned from the bullpen. Givens gave up a hit but struck out the side in a perfect inning. Some people thought he might come back out for the ninth, but after the Orioles added two more runs, the Orioles went with Richard Bleier to start the ninth. Bleier struggled, and Mike Wright ended up coming on to record the save. Givens is clearly the best pitcher in the Orioles bullpen and still should see the bulk of the saves, but it looks like the Orioles could also use him before the ninth if the situation calls for it.
Updated hierarchy: Givens | Bleier | Wright.
Los Angeles Dodgers – It took a couple games, but we finally got our first position player pitching appearance of 2019. Russell Martin pitched a perfect ninth inning with the Dodgers up by 13 and manager Dave Roberts acknowledged after the game that Martin has been their most efficient pitcher so far. Although Martin seems to be as good at pitching as he is at hitting at this point in his career, he doesn’t quite factor into the Dodgers’
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Baez.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Chaz Roe – Jose Alvarado has pitched in two straight. Roe has as well but neither time was a full inning and he has only thrown 15 pitches.
2. Joakim Soria – Blake Treinen has also pitched in two of three, including a five out, 26 pitch save yesterday.
3. Seranthony Dominguez – David Robertson has thrown 52 pitches over the past three days.
4. Jacob Barnes – Josh Hader has pitched in two of three, including an immaculate inning yesterday and a two-inning save on opening day.
Monday:
1. Craig Stammen – If Kirby Yates pitches today, it will be three out of four.
2. Jeurys Familia – If Edwin Diaz pitches today, it will back-to-back games and three of four.
3. Adam Cimber – If Brad Hand pitches today, it will be back-to-back games and three of four.