August 9, 2020
Baltimore Orioles – Miguel Castro recorded his first save of the season yesterday. Cole Sulser picked up the 8th inning hold ahead of him. Don’t read too much into that usage. Sulser pitched the 8th because he needed to get some work in and was warming up when the Orioles were losing. Sulser should still be the guy but Casto has passed Givens as first in line behind him.
Updated hierarchy: Sulser | Castro | Givens.
Tampa Bay Rays — Nick Anderson came on for the last out of the second game of the doubleheader to get his second save of the season. Oliver Drake pitched in a losing effort in the first game of the doubleheader. This is still very much a committee and we will monitor to see if anybody can separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
Hierarchy remains: *Drake | Anderson | Alvarado.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — Rafael Montero pitched a perfect 9th inning for his second straight save. Manager Chris Woodward confirmed Jonathan Hernadez and Montero would be his 8th and 9th inning guys. Montero has been impressive so far and one more save and he will kick the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: *Montero | Hernandez | Volquez.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals — Trevor Rosenthal struck out three on the way to his third save of the season. Manager Mike Matheny said that he would still deploy his bullpen based on game-to-game matchups. Rosenthal certainly looks like the guy but we will leave the committee tag for now based on Matheny’s comments.
Hierarchy remains: *Rosenthal | Holland | Kennedy.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – Trevor Gott pitched a scoreless 9th for the save yesterday and is now 4/4 in save opportunities. Gott is clearly the man in San Fran at this point and we will remove the committee tag.
Hierarchy remains: Gott | Watson | Rogers.
Chicago White Sox — Aaron Bummer has been placed on the IL with a left biceps strain. Jimmy Cordero and Codi Heuer should see more time in the later innings with Bummer sidelined.
Updated hierarchy: Colome | Marshall | Cordero.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joakim Soria – Liam Hendriks has been extremely busy. He has gone in three straight and four of five.
2. Ian Kennedy – Trevor Rosenthal and Greg Holland have both pitched in two straight.
3. Jonathan Hernandez – Rafael Montero has pitched in back-to-back games and the Rangers may be cautious with him at this point
4.
Monday
1. Joakim Soria/Jake Diekman – Hendriks may get a couple of days off after his heavy workload recently.
