Art Warren could be in line for saves; Felix Bautista impressive for Orioles

May 13, 2022

Cincinnati Reds – The 8-win Reds won’t get many save chances (though they have won five of seven), but if Thursday’s usage is any indication, we could be looking at a few chances for Art Warren while Lucas Sims is on the IL. Warren pitched a scoreless ninth inning Thursday with a four-run lead. Warren hasn’t been great (6.55 ERA, 1.73 WHIP), but he’s not alone in the Reds bullpen in that regard. We expect Tony Santillan (6.97 ERA, 1.65 WHIP) and possibly Hunter Strickland (6.59 ERA, 2.05 WHIP) to back him up, but keep an eye on Jeff Hoffman (1.93 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) and Alexis Diaz, the brother of Mets closer Edwin Diaz who has a 0.59 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 15.1 IP. It should also be noted that Luis Cessa (3.68 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) was the only reliever besides Warren to pitch on Thursday, a rare game in which they had a late-inning lead), notching 1.2 IP to earn his second hold.

Updated hierarchy: *Warren | Santillan | Strickland.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – Felix Bautista is on fire. He has two saves in two tries with Jorge Lopez on the bereavement list, including a four-out one on Thursday, and his stuff (he had nine 100+ mph pitches on Thursday alone) is off the charts. He’s ahead of Dillon Tate now. Lopez has been impressive this year, so we think he gets the job back once he’s activated, which could happen as soon as Friday, but he might not hold it all season. 

Updated hierarchy: *Bautista | Tate | Krehbiel.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s – Dany Jimenez notched a scoreless ninth Thursday for his sixth save. He has the team’s last five saves and appears to have a firm hold of the closer gig. It should also be noted A.J. Puk threw two scoreless innings Thursday to get the win. He’s been dynamite this year (15 Ks in 15 IP, 0.60 ERA, 0.80 WHIP) and could force his way into this hierarchy soon.

Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Trivino | Acevedo.

Texas Rangers – Joe Barlow has six straight saves for the Rangers and has effectively booted the asterisk in our hierarchy. He’s the guy in Texas.

Updated hierarchy: Barlow | Bush | Martin.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jose Alvarado (PHI) – Corey Knebel threw 27 pitches Thursday has gone in two straight days.

Saturday:
1. Matt Bush (TEX) – If he goes Friday, it would be the fourth time in six days for Joe Barlow.
2. Clay Holmes (NYY) – Same as above for Aroldis Chapman.
3. Drew Smith (NYM) – A Friday outing would be three of four for Edwin Diaz.
4. Scott Barlow (KC) – It would also be three of four for Josh Staumont.
5. Chris Stratton (PIT) – A Friday appearance would be three of five for David Bednar (including 2 IP on Wednesday).