May 11, 2019
Seattle Mariners — Anthony Swarzak did not get the next save chance for the Mariners. In fact, he pitched in the fifth and sixth innings of a blowout loss, and gave up a home run for the sixth time in his last seven outings. The Mariners are clearly not comfortable using him in high-leverage spots right now, and with Hunter Strickland set to begin a throwing program on Monday, they will have to lean on Roenis Elias and Brandon Brennan in the short term.
Updated hierarchy: *Elias | Brennan | Rosscup.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — Luke Jackson picked up his third save with a perfect ninth inning, and has run with his opportunity at the head of the Braves’ committee. The club officially sent AJ Minter to the minors, but manager Brian Snitker said that they want him to be a major part of the bullpen and cited the lack of spring training for his early struggles. Minter will almost certainly be back this year, but may face a long path back to the later innings if Jackson, Dan Winkler and former starter Sean Newcomb continue to pitch well.
Updated hierarchy: *Jackson | Winkler | Newcomb.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers – With the Dodgers up three, they turned to Julio Urias for the seventh inning. After scoring twice more in the bottom half of the frame, Urias stuck around for the final two innings to pick up his second save of the year. Urias has been solid out of the bullpen, but some question whether he should be there at all. Still, until he cracks the rotation, he can be a good source of holds and the occasional save when Kenley Jansen is not available.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Baez | Urias.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Ryan Pressly/Hector Rondon – Roberto Osuna and Pressly have both gone in back-to-back days while Hector Rondon is well rested.
2. Zack Britton – Aroldis Chapman has pitched back-to-back days as well, throwing 35 pitches in the process. Britton has also gone two straight but has only tossed 29 pitches.
Sunday:
1. Dan Winkler/Sean Newcomb – Today would be three in a row for Jackson, Winkler and Newcombe, so if any of them pitch today, they will likely be unavailable for tomorrow.
2. Zack Britton/Adam Ottavino – If Chapman does pitch today, he most assuredly will rest on Sunday. Britton or Adam Ottavino (who enters Saturday having thrown 38 pitches over two straight outings) will see the save chance if that’s the case.
3. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, it will be three of the last four, including 29 pitches on Thursday.
4. Nick Wittgren/Tyler Clippard – Today would be back-to-back and three of four for both Brad Hand and Wittgren.
5. Lou Trivino/Joakim Soria – Same for Blake Treinen, Trivino and Soria
6. Andrew Miller – Jordan Hicks threw 28 pitches last night, so another long outing today may earn him a night off.
