Luke Jackson solidifies place atop Braves bullpen

May 13, 2019

Colorado Rockies – The Rockies were hoping that a struggling Seunghwan Oh could close out a 7-run blowout on Sunday, but the righty struggled, and needed Scott Oberg’s help to finish out the game. Oh now has a 10.05 ERA on the year, and we’d expect the Rockies to give more chances to Bryan Shaw and Carlos Estevez until Oh returns to form.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Oberg | Shaw.

Atlanta Braves – Luke Jackson picked up a 2-inning save on Sunday, and has only allowed 1 run in his last 17 appearances (19 IP). Unless someone else receives a save chance on a night where Jackson is available, we’re going to call him the full time closer going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Jackson | Winkler | Newcomb.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Tomorrow
1. Joe Jimenez – If Shane Greene goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
2. Nick Wittgren – If Brad Hand goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.

Mariners’ bullpen continues to be unpredictable

May 12, 2019

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners have one of the most unpredictable closer situations and that will likely continue until Hunter Strickland returns.  Yesterday, Roenis Elias came on in the 3rd inning and did not fare very well.  Brandon Brennan pitched a scoreless ninth inning with the Mariners down four.  However, it’s probably best not to overreact to that usage.  One reason Elias came on so early was that he was the most rested.  This is still a true committee, and matchups will dictate who finishes off any close wins. 

Hierarchy remains: *Elias | Brennan | Rosscup.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves — Veteran lefty Jonny Venters recorded the last out of a 6-4 Braves’ win yesterday to pick up his first save of the season.  All three members of the Braves’ hierarchy had pitched in two straight so that left Jacob Webb and Venters to combine for the last three outs.  Although the Braves have the pieces to mix and match in the ninth, we still expect Luke Jackson to be the best source for saves.

Hierarchy remains: *Jackson | Winkler | Newcomb.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets — In honor of Mother’s day today, Met’s closer Edwin Diaz will wear a special glove to honor the women in his life.  Diaz’s mother was diagnosed with cancer last year, but about two weeks ago, she let him know that was cancer free.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Gsellman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joakim Soria – Blake Treinen and Lou Trivino have both pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Jared Hughes – Raisel Iglesias has pitched in three of the past four, throwing a total of 54 pitches
3. Scott Oberg – Wade Davis has pitched in two of three, also throwing a total of 54 pitches

Monday
1. Kyle Crick/Francisco Liriano – Felipe Vazquez and Kyle Crick have both pitched in two straight

Another Anthony Swarzak appearance, another home run for the other team

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. 

AJ Minter likely headed to Gwinnett

May 10, 2019

Atlanta Braves — It’s been a trying time for the Braves bullpen, and the rough trend continued Thursday. Luke Jackson got the ball in the ninth with a one-run lead and gave up the game-tying HR with two outs. In the tied tenth, AJ Minter was unable to record an out, allowing a walk and two singles to lose the game. Manager Brian Snitker said that Minter (0-4, 9.82 ERA, 2.36 WHIP) would likely be sent to the minors to figure things out. We’ll slide Jackson to the top of the committee and insert rookie Jacob Webb (2.16 ERA, 11.9 K/9) until Minter regains his mojo or the Braves regain Craig Kimbrel.

Updated hierarchy: *Jackson | Winkler | Webb.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers — There was no save situation for the Rangers on Thursday, but word came down before the game that interim closer Shawn Kelley would be placed on the IL with an infection. Chris Woodward said that Chris Martin will fill the role while Jose Leclerc (three walks and a hit yesterday) tries to get back on track. Ariel Jurado (2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Ks Thursday) has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers and might see more high-leverage use moving forward.

Updated hierarchy:  Martin | Leclerc | Jurado.

Cincinnati Reds — Raisel Iglesias picked up his seventh save Thursday — his first since “clearing the air” with manager David Bell after complaining to the media about his usage. Iglesias had said he was being used “horribly wrong,” but on Thursday, Bell said Iglesias would keep “doing what’s best for the team and what’s needed for the team.” Iglesias may continue to see looks in tie games, but he’s also still the team’s undisputed closer. 

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Hughes | Lorenzen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brandon Kintzler — Steve Cishek has gone in four of six.

Saturday:
1. Jared Hughes — A Friday outing would be three straight for Raisel Iglesias.
2. Archie Bradley — Same for Greg Holland.
3. Ryan Brasier — If Matt Barnes pitches Friday, it will be three out of four.