Shawn Kelley secures third straight save since returning from injured list

May 25, 2019

Texas Rangers — For the third straight game, it was Shawn Kelley and not Jose Leclerc who got the ninth inning for the Rangers. Chris Martin pitched a clean eighth inning ahead of Kelley. Manager Chris Woodward had recently said that he wanted Leclerc to take over the closer role again, and we still think the Rangers’ long-term plan is to use have Leclerc close, but Kelley’s usage the past four days has been enough to move him up to the top of the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: *Kelley | Martin | Leclerc.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – Pat Neshek will go on the IL today because of a sore shoulder. The Phillies got an impressive effort from their bullpen last night, including lefty Adam Morgan, who pitched the eighth inning ahead of Hector Neris.

Updated hierarchy: *Neris | Dominguez | Morgan.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – As was predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Craig Stammen got the call to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning. He closed out the Blue Jays to earn his second save of the year. Kirby Yates should be available now after two days of rest.

Hierarchy remains: Yates | Stammen | Warren.

Baltimore Orioles — Mychal Givens entered a 6-6 game in the ninth inning and promptly gave up a two-run walk-off bomb. This is Givens’ third straight appearance where he took the loss, ballooning his ERA to 5.64. Givens still has some job security mostly due to how bad the rest of Baltimore’s bullpen is, but three losses in a row is cause for concern. 

Hierarchy remains: Givens | Fry | Armstrong.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Arizona cruised to a large lead last night and turned to Zack Godley to pitch the final three innings. Godley didn’t give up a run to secure his second save of the year. Godley’s only other save came in the 13th inning, and he is more of a long reliever than a high-leverage option.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Bradley | Lopez.

Houston Astros — The scoreless streak is over. Ryan Pressly gave up a leadoff homer to stop his record streak at 40 consecutive appearances. Pressly still earned his 11th hold on the year, while Roberto Osuna closed it out for his 13th save. There isn’t a better 1-2 punch in the majors right now than Pressly and Osuna. 

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Pressly | Rondon.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Shawn Armstrong — The struggling Mychal Givens has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 44 pitches in that time. Meanwhile, Paul Fry has gone in three straight. 
2. Victor Alcantara — Both Shane Greene and Joe Jimenez have pitched in two straight and three of four. 
3. Seranthony Dominguez — Hector Neris has thrown 45 pitches over the past two days. 

Sunday:
1. Sean Newcomb — Luke Jackson was rested last night, but he had pitched in two of three prior to that throwing 62(!!) pitches in that span. 
2. Brandon Kintzler — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Steve Cishek.
3. Nick Wittgren — Although he has kept his pitch count low, today would be three straight for Brad Hand. 
4. Lou Trivino — Blake Treinen threw 27 pitches last night, so a long outing today would make him unavailable on Sunday.