September 18, 2021
San Francisco Giants – The Giants placed Jake McGee on the IL yesterday, turning the closing duties over to Tyler Rogers. Rogers wasn’t able to convert with a two-run lead, though, and was in line for a loss until the team bailed him out in the bottom of the ninth. The Giants hope McGee will be back before the end of the regular season, and if Rogers can’t get the job done, Dominic Leone and Tony Watson are other options.
Hierarchy remains: Rogers | Leone | Watson.
Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox activated Matt Barnes from the IL yesterday, and immediately gave him the eighth inning with a six-run lead. Barnes pitched a clean inning, which is enough to get him back on the hierarchy, but this still seems like a committee for the last few weeks of the season.
Updated hierarchy: *Ottavino | Robles | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds — Vulture Save Watch readers will remember that Michael Lorenzen was the best-rested option in the Cincinnati hierarchy on Friday. Sure enough, he got called on to protect a three-run lead, earning his fourth save of the year. Mychal Givens got the night off and should be ready to go for the rest of the weekend.
Hierarchy remains: Givens | Lorenzen | Sims.
Oakland A’s — Chalk another one up for the Vulture Save Watch as Andrew Chafin got the night off and Sergio Romo guarded a one-run lead for his third save of the year. Oakland is battling for a playoff spot, so expect these two to keep splitting opportunities, with Chafin slightly ahead.
Hierarchy remains: *Chafin | Romo | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jhoulys Chacin (COL) — Carlos Estevez has pitched in 3 of 4 including 21 pitches last night.
2. Chasen Shreve (PIT) — Same for Chris Stratton.
3. Andres Machado (WAS) — Kyle Finnegan threw 28 pitches last night.
Sunday:
1. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Will Smith.
2. Jose Alvarado/Archie Bradley (PHI) — Same for Ian Kennedy and Jose Alvarado.
