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.