May 26, 2019
Chicago Cubs — Tyler Chatwood pitched a scoreless ninth yesterday for his first save with the Cubs. Manager Joe Maddon recently said that Chatwood was not the answer in the ninth inning, but that he would give him a chance if other guys were unavailable. Steve Cishek had pitched in two of three so Maddon stayed true to his word and sent Chatwood out there because he was available. Chatwood gave up a couple of hits but benefited from a double play in locking down the save. Chatwood has mostly been used as a multi-inning reliever so we will wait and see if he starts to see more time as a more traditional back end of the bullpen reliever.
Hierarchy remains: *Cishek | Kintzler | Brach.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles — Josh Lucas (not this Josh Lucas) pitched the final three innings in an Orioles’ win to pick up his first career save. Although Lucas would have been credited with a save regardless of the score since he pitched the last three innings, it was a 3-run game and a regular save chance in the 9th. Lucas has been the long relief man so he won’t crack the hierarchy yet but anybody who has success in the Orioles’ bullpen has a chance to move up quickly.
Hierarchy remains: Givens | Fry | Armstrong.
Texas Rangers — The Rangers again went with Shawn Kelley in a save opportunity yesterday, but unfortunately, he could not get the job done. The blown save probably won’t change the Ranger’s ninth-inning plans right away, but Jose Leclerc struck out the side yesterday in another impressive outing and could see a save chance on Sunday with Kelley likely unavailable. Kelley has done a good job closing for the Rangers even with yesterday’s blown save but Leclerc is still the best long term option.
Updated hierarchy: *Kelley | Leclerc | Martin.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Hector Rondon – Roberto Osuna and Ryan Pressly have both pitched in two straight and each has thrown over 35 pitches in those two outings.
2. Justin Anderson – Hansel Robles and Ty Buttrey have both pitched in back-to-back games and both went more than one inning yesterday.
3. Joakim Soria – Blake Treinen has pitched in two straight, throwing 43 pitches, and Lou Trivino has pitched in two straight and three of four.
4. Jose Leclerc – Shawn Kelley has pitched in two straight and four of five.
Monday
1. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, it would be two of three and the Reds have a doubleheader on Monday.
2. Robert Gsellman/Jeurys Familia – If Edwin Diaz pitches today, it would be two straight games, three of the last four, and six of the last eight.
3. Kyle Crick – The Pirates have a doubleheader on Monday so if Felipe Vazquez pitches on Sunday, he would be unlikely to pitch in both games even if both were save chances.
