May 14, 2022
Seattle Mariners — Seattle is quickly becoming the AL West version of the Tampa Bay Rays, with Paul Sewald throwing 1.1 scoreless innings to earn a win and Drew Steckenrider shutting the door for his first save since opening day. This gives him the team lead in saves with 2, just ahead of the other members of the hierarchy. To make things even more interesting, opener/closer Sergio Romo was activated from the IL last night as well, adding one more name to a crowded field for save chances. Steckenrider jumps into the hierarchy based on the most recent save as Seattle starts eying the chaotic bullpen crown…
Updated hierarchy: *Muñoz | Sewald | Steckenrider.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — …but if you come at the king, you best not miss. Just as Brooks Raley was looking to take the reins of the always volatile Tampa committee, he gets brought in for the 8th inning with a 1 run lead, and gives up a run on 3 straight hits before getting pulled for the struggling Andrew Kittridge. Kittridge got a strikeout and a GIDP to escape the jam, and went on to earn the win, but that left the save chance to Jason Adam, who pitched a perfect 9th for his first career save. Adam has been outstanding this year, and joins the ever growing list of Rays relievers with a save, but will have to show this wasn’t just a one-off before he cracks the hierarchy. More importantly, Tampa showed that they can and will bring bullpen chaos on any given night.
Hierarchy Remains: *Raley | Kittredge | Feyereisen.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto was handed a 2 run lead going into the 9th last night, and while the box score doesn’t look bad, it masks the fact that he hit the first two batters he faced, and walked a third. Will Vest came in to put out the fire, and struck out both batters he faced, preserving the win and Soto’s ERA. Vest hasn’t allowed a hit in 7 appearances in May, and kept that going to earn his first career save. Expect that to change, as a near Houdini will turn some heads in Detroit. After the game manager AJ Hinch said that Soto was “struggling with the strike zone” and the stats bear that out, with Soto only striking out 9 batters on the season compared with 8 walks. It’s too early to move Soto out as closer, but the early hook is never good to see, and it may be time to handcuff him with Michael Fulmer.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Vest.
Kansas City Royals – Josh Staumont was brought into a 4 run game in the 8th inning, but struggled with his command, issuing a pair of walks and an HBP before getting pulled for Scott Barlow. Barlow got the last out of the 8th and stuck around for the 9th to earn the save. Barlow has been the better option for the Royals in the last few weeks, and he’ll jump to the head of this committee, at least until the next save opportunity goes Staumont’s way.
Updated Hierarchy: *S.Barlow | Staumont | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — Vulture Save Watch readers knew that Corey Knebel needed a night off, and the save chance fell to Jeurys Familia. He gave up a pair of runs, and the game went to extra innings, where the next chance went to top relief prospect Francisco Morales, making just his second career appearance staked to a 3 run lead. Morales made it interesting, loading the bases on a pair of walks, but got a double-play and a groundout to end the game and earn his first career save. Morales is a converted starter who was tearing up the minors, striking out 28 in 16.1 innings and only giving up a single run. He may not stick in the majors this time around, but could be a fixture in Philly for years to come.
Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Alvarado | Hand.
Baltimore Orioles – Jorge Lopez was activated from the bereavement list on Friday, but with the Orioles losing there was no reason to call on him. Lopez was running away with the job before missing time, but Felix Bautista emerged as a contender for the closers spot with a pair of saves. Lopez has pitched well enough that he comes back to the top of the hierarchy, but Bautista has pitched well enough that he puts the asterisk back in Baltimore.
Updated hierarchy: *Lopez | Bautista | Tate.
* = closer-by-committee
Vulture Save Watch:
- Michael Fulmer (DET) — Gregory Soto has pitched in 2 of 3, throwing 45 pitches, and has been struggling with his command.
For Sunday:
- Ryan Tepera/Aaron Loup (LAA) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Raisel Iglesias
- Ian Kennedy/Joe Mantiply (ARI) — Same for Mark Melancon and Ian Kennedy.
- Daniel Hudson (LAD) — Craig Kimbrel threw 24 pitches yesterday, so a long outing today could mean Sunday off.
