April 17, 2021
Baltimore Orioles — with a 3 run lead in the 9th the Orioles went with Cesar Valdez to close out the game. He pitched a clean inning for his third save of the year. The only other reliever to record a save for Baltimore was Paul Fry in extra innings. While the Orioles announced that their closer’s role would be a committee with Hunter Harvey out, Valdez seems ready to kick the asterisk, and one more clean save will be enough to do it.
Hierarchy remains: *Valdez | Scott | Armstrong.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s — With everyone rested, the Athletics went Petit in the 7th, Diekman in the 8th, and Trivino in the 9th. Since Bob Melvin tapped Trivino as a closing option, he has two saves, which is two more than anyone else on the team. He was also warming up for a potential save situation recently, only to see the A’s score enough runs to prevent a save opportunity. While Diekman hasn’t been bad in the early going, it’s clear that Melvin sees Trivino as his top option in the 9th inning, and that’s enough to remove the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: Trivino | Diekman | Petit.
Miami Marlins – Since falling out of the closer’s role, Anthony Bass has been excellent. He picked up the win last night with a scoreless 8th inning of a tie game and is now holding a modest 4 game scoreless streak. While Bass may not resume closing as long as Yimi Garcia stays hot, he’s at least seeing higher leverage innings.
Updated hierarchy: Garcia | Bleier | Bass.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Tanner Rainey/Daniel Hudson (WAS) – Brad Hand has pitched back to back, and the Nationals may watch his workload early in the season. Hudson has also gone back to back, while Rainey is well-rested.
2. Sean Newcomb/ AJ Minter (ATL) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Will Smith (who threw 34 pitches yesterday). However, nobody in the Atlanta bullpen is very well-rested. Newcomb also threw 29 pitches yesterday and AJ minter has already pitched back to back, so this save may fall to Tyler Matzek.
3. Blake Treinen/Corey Knebel (LAD)– The Dodgers have already shown that they will manage Kenly Jansen’s workload, so after a 26 pitch outing last night, expect someone else to get the call today. Like Atlanta, this bullpen needs rest so keep an eye on Scott Alexander, who has a couple of days rest.
Tomorrow:
1. Tanner Scott (BAL) – Cesar Valdez threw 20 pitches yesterday so another long outing could earn him a rest day on Sunday.
2. Joe Smith (HOU) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Ryan Pressly.
3. Emilio Pagan/Drew Pomeranz (SD) – Mark Melancon threw 2 innings yesterday, so another outing today would likely keep him out Sunday.
