May 15, 2021
New York Yankees — The Yankees did indeed give Aroldis Chapman a second day off after his recent heavy workload, but it was Jonathan Loaisiga who got the vulture save over Chad Green. Green pitched a scoreless 7th after the Yankees took the lead in the top of the inning while Loaisiga pitched a perfect 9th for his second save of the season. Green has been quite good in his set-up role, but the last couple of times that Chapman has needed a spell, the Yankees have gone with Loasigia to close out the game. That’s enough to boost him to first in line.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Loaisiga | Green.
Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays activated Diego Castillo from the IL on Friday. We will move Castillo back to the top of the hierarchy but we won’t dare mention the possibility of removing the asterisk because we all know how that went last time…
Updated hierarchy: *Castillo | Springs | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — Rafael Montero got the call in arguably the easiest possible save situation and converted for his 5th save of the season. The Mariners were up 4 runs with 2 outs in the 9th and 2 men on when Montero came on to get the final out. Kendall Graveman pitched 1.1 scoreless innings earlier in the game when the Mariners were protecting a 3-1 lead. Graveman has been lights out this season and he has yet to allow a run and has only allowed 5 hits in 15.2 innings. However, the Mariners have not used him as a traditional closer as evidenced by last night. We will keep Graveman at the top of the hierarchy for now since he is without question their best reliever, but this is still a committee.
Hierarchy remains: *Graveman | Montero | Misiewicz.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Chris Stratton (PIT) – Richard Rodriguez has pitched in 4 of the last 6, while Stratton got the night off yesterday.
2. Aaron Bummer (CHW) – Liam Hendriks had pitched in 3 straight.
3. Sam Coonrod/Jose Alvarado (PHI) – Hector Neris has pitched in 3 of the last 4. Alvarado has had the same workload, so it may be Sam Coonrod getting the call today.
4. Chris Martin (ATL) – Will Smith has pitched in back-to-back games.
Sunday:
1. James Karinchak (CLE) – Emmanuel Clase got last night off, but today would still be 4 of 5 for him.
2. Mychal Givens (COL) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Daniel Bard.
3. Greg Holland (KC) – Same for Josh Staumont.
4. Emilio Pagan/Tim Hill (SD) – and for Mark Melancon and Emilio Pagan.
