Daniel Hudson gathers first save of 2020, with perhaps more to come

July 31, 2020

Washington Nationals – Despite throwing 21 pitches over 1.2 innings Wednesday, Daniel Hudson was called on to save things for the Nationals Thursday night, even though Sean Doolittle was well-rested. Hudson converted for his first save. After the game, manager Dave Martinez told reporters Doolittle is working on his mechanics, and with the Nationals off this weekend, he will pitch in a simulated game on Saturday. We’ll slide Hudson to the top while Doolittle works things out.

Updated hierarchy: *Hudson | Doolittle | Rainey.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers — The Rangers did not play Thursday but made big news with fantasy implications when they placed Jose Leclerc on the 45-day IL with a strained right shoulder. We believe the team will employ a committee approach for save chances, at least at first, with Jonathan Hernandez leading the group for now.

Updated hierarchy: *Hernandez | Volquez | Goody.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – Cole Sulser, who picked up the team’s first save, was tried again in the closer’s role Thursday as the Orioles were trying to stop a 17-game losing streak against the Yankees. That streak continued when Sulser coughed up a go-ahead, three-run homer to Aaron Judge and took the loss. Had Sulser converted, it would have been really hard to argue he wasn’t the O’s closer, but even after yesterday, he looks to be trending in the right direction for more save chances and we’ll move him to the top of the committee.

Updated hierarchy: *Sulser | Givens | Bleier.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – Edwin Diaz, who already has one blown save this season, was quite shaky Thursday night against the Red Sox, allowing one run in a 35-pitch appearance. He recorded just one out while walking two, giving up a single and drilling a batter. The performance prompted manager Luis Rojas to say after the game that the two “need to talk.Sounds ominous

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Betances. 

Cleveland Indians – Anyone who watched Thursday’s Cleveland-Minnesota game will likely be talking about Shane Bieber’s unbelievable performance against a stacked Twins lineup, but the monkey doesn’t care about that. Instead, they were laser-focused on what occurred in the ninth inning, when Bieber was yanked in favor of James Karinchak, the pride of Bryant University, who netted the first save of a career that could see dozens or hundreds more of them. Notably, Nick Wittgren was not used in the ninth, suggesting the rookie Karinchak could be the backup closer when Brad Hand needs rest, like he did Thursday.

Updated hierarchy: Hand | Karinchak | Wittgren.

Kansas City Royals – What’s old is new again. For the first time since 2017, Trevor Rosenthal has recorded a save in the majors, doing so Thursday with Mike Matheny’s Royals. Rosenthal, of course, was an extremely successful closer years ago with Matheny in St. Louis, so perhaps this is a trend to watch. Greg Holland, who earned the win Thursday, picked up the Royals’ first save this year, while 2019 closer Ian Kennedy, who pitched in the eighth inning, has yet to get one in 2020. 

Updated hierarchy: *Kennedy | Holland | Rosenthal.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — Yankees skipper Aaron Boone said that Tommy Kahnle was unavailable Thursday night, adding “we’ll have something on that tomorrow.” Stay tuned. Jonathan Loasiga pitched in his place Thursday against Baltimore, and could see increased looks in the late innings if Kahnle were to miss more time.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | Ottavino | Kahnle.

Los Angeles Dodgers — As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Kenley Jansen was rested Thursday after he pitched in three of the previous four days. Blake Treinen had also pitched in two straight, so the Dodgers turned to Pedro Baez, who converted the chance for his first save of the season. 

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Baez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Matt Barnes – Brandon Workman has pitched three straight days. 
2. Seth Lugo – Edwin Diaz threw 35 pitches Thursday and probably shouldn’t be closing games right now.
3. Shane Greene – Mark Melancon has worked in two straight. 
4. Taylor Williams – Ditto for Dan Altavilla, who had a rough outing Thursday, tossing 28 pitches.

Saturday:
1. Blake Treinen/Pedro Baez – If Kenley Jansen pitches Friday, that will be four of six for him.
2. Buck Farmer – Same as above for Joe Jimenez.
3. James Karinchak – An outing Friday would be three of four for Brad Hand. 

Jose Leclerc to IL

July 30, 2020

Texas Rangers — Jose Leclerc has been placed on the IL with a strained right shoulder.  The Rangers have a number of options for the ninth inning while Leclerc is out.  We think Jonathan Hernandez will lead a committee that could include Edinson Volquez and Nick Goody, who picked up the save last night.

Updated hierarchy: * Hernandez | Volquez | Goody.
* = closer-by-committee

Jose Leclerc held out with shoulder tightness; Jonathan Hernandez or Edinson Volquez could fill in

July 30, 2020

Texas Rangers — Jose Leclerc was warming up to pitch the ninth on Wednesday regardless of the scoreline, but ended up sitting down due to shoulder tightness. With Jonathan Hernandez and Jesse Chavez having already pitched (poorly), this left Nick Goody to pick up his first career save. Goody does not normally factor into the later innings for Texas. Holding out Leclerc was precautionary, but he’ll be evaluated with an MRI today. If he requires time off, Hernandez has pitched the eighth in both of Texas’s wins, and Edinson Volquez is a more seasoned option being mentioned by beat writers.

Updated hierarchy: Leclerc | Hernandez | Volquez.

Washington Nationals – Daniel Hudson continued his good form to begin the year, pitching the last two outs of the seventh and a clean eighth in a tie game, then picking up the win. Sean Doolittle needed rest, so his absence today wasn’t too suspicious, but his early usage hasn’t been what you’d expect from a closer, and Hudson is getting a lot of high-leverage work. Until Doolittle blows a save, it’s hard to move him from the top spot, but we repeat that now’s the time to grab Hudson. Meanwhile, Tanner Rainey struck out the side with a four-run lead, and seems to have Dave Martinez’s trust at the moment. We will slot him at second in line based on this usage.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Hudson | Rainey.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Buck Farmer/Jose Cisnero — Joe Jimenez pitched last night, making it back-to-back and three of four. Buck Farmer has also thrown in two straight, but only needed 19 pitches. 
2. Matt Barnes — Brandon Workman has gone back-to-back, including a 30-pitch save last night. 
3. Nick Wittgren — Brad Hand has also pitched back-to-back, and has struggled in his last two outings. Terry Francona has said he will be patient with Hand, but we think Hand might get a rest based on usage today. 
4. Blake Treinen/Pedro Baez — Kenley Jansen has appeared in two straight games and three of four. 

Friday:
1. Jonathan Hernandez/Edinson Volquez — If LeClerc misses time, one of these two guys should be the Rangers’ fill-in closer.

Nick Burdi earns first save after Kyle Crick lands on IL

July 29, 2020

Pittsburgh Pirates – Pittsburgh placed Kyle Crick on the 10-day IL on Tuesday, which paved the way for Nick Burdi to record his first career save that night. Burdi will be the favorite for save chances going forward, but Derek Shelton said on Monday that he will be careful with Burdi’s usage because of Burdi’s injury history. Richard Rodriguez and Michael Feliz are the most likely candidates to see the ninth inning if Burdi is unavailable. Keep an eye on JT Brubaker as well, who struck out four Cardinals over two innings in his MLB debut on Sunday. 

Updated hierarchy: *Burdi | Rodriguez | Feliz.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins — Taylor Rogers hasn’t pitched yet this season and fantasy owners were justifiably concerned when Sergio Romo picked up the save in a 6-3 win on Tuesday. After the game, Rocco Baldelli explained that Romo was already up and hot when the Cardinals added a run in the eighth inning to create the save situation. We’ll just have to wait and see when Rogers finally makes his first appearance of 2020.

Hierarchy remains: Rogers | Romo | Clippard.

San Diego Padres — With the Padres leading the Giants by two runs in the ninth inning, Jayce Tingler turned to Drew Pomeranz, not Kirby Yates, to close out the game, which Pomeranz did by striking out the side on 14 pitches. Yates last pitched on Sunday, taking the loss in his second straight outing. Tingler confirmed after Tuesday’s game that he simply wanted to give Yates an extra day of rest. We’ll move Pomeranz ahead of Emilio Pagan, who worked the eighth inning on Tuesday.

Updated hierarchy: Yates | Pomeranz | Pagan.

Washington Nationals – Sean Doolittle hasn’t had the most promising start to the 2020 season. He got the final two outs of the seventh inning on Tuesday night to keep the Nationals within two runs, but his velocity continues to be an issue. If Daniel Hudson is available in your league, it may be worth adding him. Tanner Rainey is also someone to watch, as he has not allowed a hit in all three appearances, while Will Harris’ shaky start to 2020 continued on Tuesday.

Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Hudson | Harris.

St. Louis Cardinals — Giovanny Gallegos made his season debut on Tuesday, retiring both hitters he faced on just six pitches. The Cardinals also said they intend to keep Kwang Hyun Kim in the closer role for now.

Hierarchy remains: Kim | Miller | Gallegos.

Tampa Bay Rays — Oliver Drake picked up his second straight save with his second consecutive 1-2-3 inning on Tuesday night. Nick Anderson entered a 5-1 game in the seventh and allowed an inherited runner to score before getting the Rays out of a jam, while Chaz Roe earned an eighth-inning hold. The Rays should continue turning to Drake in the ninth inning until he falters.

Hierarchy remains: *Drake | Anderson | Alvarado.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians – Cleveland’s three hierarchy members – James Karinchak, Nick Wittgren and Brad Hand – pitched the final three innings, in that order, in a 4-3 victory in game one of a doubleheader. That opened the door in game two for Cam Hill to collect his first career save in just his second big-league appearance.

Hierarchy remains: Hand | Wittgren | Karinchak.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Daniel Hudson – Sean Doolittle has pitched in two of the last three games and has struggled.
2. Richard Rodriguez/Michael Feliz – Derek Shelton has said that he wants to be careful with Nick Burdi, who pitched last night.
3. Kevin Ginkel – Archie Bradley has gone in two of the last three, throwing 40 pitches. The Diamondbacks do not have an off day Thursday.
4. Buck Farmer – Joe Jimenez has pitched in three of four, though he only threw eight pitches last night.

Tomorrow
1. Kevin Ginkel – If Archie Bradley makes an appearance today, that will be two straight and three of four.
2. Buck Farmer – If Joe Jimenez pitches today, that will be two straight and four of five.

Anthony Bass gets first Blue Jays save; Craig Kimbrel struggles

July 28, 2020

Buffalo Blue Jays – Yesterday, we lined up the Blue Jays committee with Anthony Bass at the top, followed by Rafael Dolis and then Jordan Romano, and last night, that’s exactly how Toronto played it. Romano got the last two outs of the 7th, then gave way to Dolis, who pitched a scoreless 8th. On came Bass for the save chance, and he converted the chance; we figure the Jays will keep doing it this way until Bass gives them a reason not to. 

Hierarchy remains: *Bass | Dolis | Romano.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s – Liam Hendriks did get the day off on Monday, but the A’s kept Jake Diekman in his usual 8th inning role, instead giving the 9th to Joakim Soria. The righty converted for his first save of the year, so we’ll monitor this situation to see if this is how Oakland intends to play things when Hendriks is off. 

Hierarchy remains: Hendriks | Diekman | Soria.

New York Mets – The Mets took a five-run lead into the 8th inning, but after Jeurys Familia got in a jam, Seth Lugo came on to clean up the mess. Lugo, who thus far has looked every bit as sharp as last year (3.1 scoreless innings, 1 hit, 4 Ks, 0 BBs), escaped the inning and then retired the side in order in the 9th for his first save of the season. Edwin Diaz, already sitting on a blown save, will have competition if Lugo keeps this up. 

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Lugo | Betances. 

Chicago Cubs – Craig Kimbrel picked up where he left off in 2019, entering the game with a 3-run lead and exiting it with 2 runs in, the bases loaded, and only 1 out recorded. Fortunately, Jeremy Jeffress was up to the task, striking out the first hitter he faced and then inducing a game-ending flyout. Sick hold, Craig.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Jeffress | Wick.

Milwaukee Brewers – The single most impressive relief outing of the season thus far was turned in by David Phelps on Monday night. The veteran pitched the top of the 10th and 11th innings for the Brewers — meaning that he had to deal with a runner on 2nd at the start of each inning — and allowed no damage whatsoever, striking out 3 hitters and not allowing anyone to reach base other than the aforementioned starting runners. With the ostensible set-up men for the Brewers having both appeared in the 4th inning of games earlier this year, this outing is enough to move Phelps to the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Knebel | Phelps.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Rowan Wick – Craig Kimbrel threw 34 pitches in a horrendous effort last night and might get the day off.
2. Shun Yamaguchi – The three top relievers in the Blue Jays committee might all get the day off today, having gone back to back and three of four. So we’ll take a stab that Yamaguchi gets the save opp today, if there is one.

Tomorrow
1. Ryan Pressly/Chris Devenski – If Roberto Osuna goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four; Ryan Pressly is also day to day with a nagging injury.