August 30, 2019
San Diego Padres — As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Kirby Yates was rested Thursday, making way for Andres Munoz to convert the first save chance of his career. He became the youngest Padre ever to record a save. It’ll likely be the first of many in the future for the promising youngster.
Hierarchy remains: Yates | Munoz | Stammen.
Oakland A’s — One day after allowing all four baserunners to reach in a terrible 10-pitch outing in a tie game Wednesday, Blake Treinen was nowhere to be seen in Oakland’s 9-8 win on Thursday. Yusmeiro Petit, Joakim Soria and Jake Diekman bridged the gap to Liam Hendriks, who recorded a five-out save. Entering Wednesday, Treinen had been pitching better, with 12 scoreless appearances over his previous 16 games, but it appears he has fallen out of favor for the surging A’s, who currently sit in the second Wild Card spot and need every win they can get. One writer says Treinen was called into the tight situation on Wednesday only because Petit (3.01 ERA, 0.86 WHIP) needed rest. We’ll take that as a sign that Petit has usurped the former closer in the late innings.
Updated hierarchy: Hendriks | Soria | Petit.
Washington Nationals – Hunter Strickland should be activated from the paternity list on Friday. Meanwhile, Sean Doolittle is expected to make a rehab appearance Friday and if all goes well, he should return soon. The Nationals were also feeling positive about Roenis Elias’ progress and may activate him on Friday.
Hierarchy remains: *Hudson | Strickland | Rodney.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen received a vote of confidence from Dave Roberts before Thursday’s game. Jansen blew his seventh save on Wednesday but is still the man to own in LA, even if his workload will be limited down the stretch.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Baez.
Minnesota Twins — After entering the game with a seven-run cushion in the seventh inning, Randy Dobnak tossed the final three frames to earn his first career save in his second career outing. Other than that, there’s nothing to see here.
Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | Romo | Dyson.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Joakim Soria – Liam Hendriks threw 31 pitches in a save Thursday and has gone in two of three (and three of five).
2. Nick Anderson – While he had a ton of time off entering Thursday’s game, Emilio Pagan could be rested Friday after recording a seven-out save on 31 pitches.
3. Rowan Wick – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in two straight and hasn’t gone three in a row yet this season.
4. Michael Lorenzen/Amir Garrett – Raisel Iglesias has pitched in three of four. Lorenzen has had more recent rest, but he threw 26 pitches over two innings Thursday and could also need a breather.
5. Shawn Kelley – Jose Leclerc has pitched in two straight, throwing 44 pitches over that span.
6. Keone Kela – Felipe Vazquez has pitched in two of three (and three of five and four of seven).
Saturday:
1. Nick Goody – A Friday outing would be three straight for Brad Hand.
2. Anthony Bass – After throwing 26 pitches Thursday, a taxing outing Friday could mean an off day Saturday for Matt Magill.
3. Scott Barlow – A Friday appearance would be three of four and four of six for Ian Kennedy.
4. Andres Munoz – Kirby Yates has been very busy. If he pitches Friday, that’ll be five out of seven for him.
