Rowan Wick the top option for Cubs saves

September 6, 2019

Chicago Cubs — There was no save chance Thursday for the Cubs, but if there had been, Craig Kimbrel would not have been available after his second trip to the IL this season. Kimbrel has elbow inflammation, so expect Rowan Wick, Brandon Kintzler and Steve Cishek to compete for saves while he heals.

Updated hierarchy: Wick | Kintzler | Cishek.

Tampa Bay Rays — Emilio Pagan pitched a scoreless ninth Thursday for his 18th save. He’s had every Rays save since the beginning of August — except a three-inning vulture effort from Aaron Slegers. In other words, this is Pagan’s job with no asterisk needed. With that said, he’s been busy lately, so keep an eye on the Vulture Save Watch below. 

Updated hierarchy: Pagan | Anderson | Poche.

Houston Astros — Ryan Pressly will throw off a mound on Friday as he continues to work his way back after knee surgery. He could get some late-inning work before the end of the regular season as a tuneup for October.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Harris | Rondon.

St. Louis Cardinals — In his first major league outing since June, Genesis Cabrera pitched the final three frames of a 10-0 drubbing of the Giants to earn his first career save. The 22-year-old has flashed some promise, but you won’t see him in the hierarchy anytime soon.

Hierarchy remains: Martinez | Miller | Gallegos.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Reliever Brian Moran picked up a win in his first career game, pitching a scoreless fourth inning against his brother Colin’s Pirates. He actually faced Colin, striking him out (much to the excitement of their parents). This marked the first time in baseball history that a pitcher making his major league debut faced his brother during that appearance. Baseball is pretty cool.

Hierarchy remains: Vazquez | Kela | Crick.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Sergio Romo — Taylor Rogers has pitched in three of four.
2. Nick Anderson — Emilio Pagan has pitched in three of four and four of six.
3. Scott Barlow — Even with a day off Thursday, Ian Kennedy has still thrown in four of six.
4. Edwin Diaz/Justin Wilson — Seth Lugo pitched two innings on Wednesday and might get two days off after back-to-back appearances.

Saturday:
1. Shawn Kelley — A Friday appearance would be three of four for Jose Leclerc.
2. Mike Morin — A Friday outing would be three of four (and four of six) for Hector Neris. Morin has had a similar workload, with more pitches thrown, but he could go if he rests Friday. 
3. Shane Greene — Mark Melancon allowed two runs in a 28-pitch outing Thursday. A taxing appearance Friday would earn him Saturday off.
4. Matt Barnes — Entering Friday, Brandon Workman has gone in three of five.
5. Ryne Stanek — Same for Jose Urena.

Craig Kimbrel hits the IL

September 5, 2019

Chicago Cubs — Craig Kimbrel was placed on the injured list for the second time this season with elbow inflammation. Cubs president Theo Epstein said Kimbrel felt something during his appearance on Sunday, but an MRI revealed nothing structurally wrong. One writer named Rowan Wick, Brandon Kintzler and Steve Cishek as candidates for saves. Pedro Strop has allowed a total of five runs over his last six appearances, so he might be further away from save chances than we’re used to. 

Updated hierarchy: Wick | Kintzler | Cishek.

The struggles continue for Brad Hand

September 5, 2019

Cleveland Indians – Given a four-run lead, Brad Hand gave up a two-run homer, then loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. Nick Wittgren came in to bail him out, but it was Oscar Mercado who really deserved the save

Hierarchy remains: Hand | Goody | Wittgren.

San Francisco Giants — Reyes Moronta is out for the season (and maybe the next) with a torn labrum. Sidearmer Tyler Rogers (Taylor’s twin and a groundball machine) got the seventh inning tonight, and is as likely as anyone to fill Moronta’s role this month.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Watson | Rogers.

Washington Nationals – In his second appearance back from the injured list, Sean Doolittle allowed two baserunners but no runs in a scoreless ninth, down four runs. Doolittle will keep getting low-leverage work for the next few weeks as he gets back into shape.

Hierarchy remains: *Hudson | Strickland | Rodney.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins — Pitching for the second straight day and third time in four days, Jose Urena blew a two-run lead and took the loss against Pittsburgh. This is unlikely to change Miami’s plan to see how he handles the closer role this month.

Hierarchy remains: *Urena | Stanek | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tim Hill — Ian Kennedy has gone in four of five, and Scott Barlow has gone back-to-back (43 pitches).
2. Ryne Stanek — Jose Urena is getting a day off.
3. Matt Barnes — Brandon Workman has pitched in three of four, four of six, and five of eight.
4. Kyle Barraclough? — Will Smith threw 30 pitches on Wednesday, and the other top Giants relievers are pretty tired.

Friday:
1. Edwin Diaz/Justin Wilson — Seth Lugo pitched two innings on Wednesday and might get two days off after back-to-back appearances. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Wilson get a shot over Diaz.
2. Tony Watson — If Smith goes Thursday, he shouldn’t go Friday.

Jose Urena earns his first save of the season

September 4, 2019

Miami Marlins – Jose Urena pitched a 1-2-3 10th inning to convert his first save opportunity in his new role as the Marlins’ closer. Expect Urena to get a majority of whatever save opportunities the Marlins can muster over the next few weeks.

Hierarchy remains: *Urena | Stanek | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – It wasn’t pretty, but Kenley Jansen picked up the save last night despite allowing another run thanks to a one-out walk and a double. Dave Roberts, who wasn’t exactly thrilled with the walk last night, has not only said that he wants to manage Jansen’s workload, but he also is willing to pitch his closer in non-save situations. If you’re searching for saves in your chase for a title, Joe Kelly and Pedro Baez could be worth adding.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Baez.

Baltimore Orioles – Brandon Hyde chose to play the matchups in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader with the Rays, going to Mychal Givens in the eighth inning and leaving southpaw Richard Bleier to face two lefties due up in the ninth. Bleier recorded a 1-2-3 inning for his third, and most likely final, save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Armstrong | Harvey.
* = closer-by-committee

New York MetsYOU BLEW IT!

Hierarchy remains: *Lugo | Diaz | Wilson.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Andrew Miller – Carlos Martinez has pitched in four straight.
2. Yoan Lopez – Archie Bradley threw 32 pitches last night. Kevin Ginkel’s 20-pitch outing yesterday was his third appearance in four days.
3. Joe Kelly – Kenley Jansen has pitched in three of the last four.
4. Sergio Romo – Taylor Rogers threw 21 pitches in a four-out save last night, which was his second straight day of work.
5. Scott Barlow – Ian Kennedy has pitched in three of the last four.

Tomorrow
1. Dealer’s Choice – An appearance today would be three of four for Hector Neris. Gabe Kapler will use just about anybody anywhere to get to Neris, so we’ll keep an eye on Wednesday’s usage.
2. Scott Barlow/Tim Hill – If Ian Kennedy pitches today that will be two straight and four of five. Scott Barlow also could be in line for a day off if he has a lengthy outing today.
3. Keone Kela – If Felipe Vazquez goes today that will be two straight and three of four.
4. Shawn Kelley – Jose Leclerc threw 24 pitches last night.

Keep an eye on Josh James in 2020 and beyond

September 3, 2019

Houston Astros – After a Roberto Osuna blown save in the 9th, the Astros retook the lead in the 10th, allowing Josh James to pick up his first career save. James has struggled with his control at times, but has electrifying stuff (14.27 K/9 in 52.1 IP this season) and is a reliever to watch for the Astros in 2020 and beyond.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Harris | Rondon.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenta Maeda picked up the rare 4-inning save on Monday, closing out a blowout win for the Dodgers. Maeda was just moved to the bullpen so he can prepare for his likely postseason role as a reliever; it’s possible he gets another save chance or two since the Dodgers are trying not to overwork Kenley Jansen down the stretch.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Baez.

Atlanta Braves – Mark Melancon picked up his third save in four days on Monday; he’s clearly the Braves closer for the rest of the stretch run and we’re removing his asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Greene | Jackson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Andrew Miller – Carlos Martinez has gone three straight.
2. Luke Jackson/Chris Martin – Mark Melancon and Shane Greene have both gone back to back and three of four.