July 1, 2022
Pittsburgh Pirates — David Bednar returned to action on Thursday night, tasked with protecting a four-run lead in the ninth after the Pirates added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Bednar struggled, however, so Yerry de los Santos came on to close out an 8-7 win for his second career save and his second save in as many days. The Pirates thought they’d avoid having to place Bednar on the injured list at the beginning of the week, but we’d be surprised if he doesn’t end the week on the IL.
Hierarchy remains: Bednar | Crowe | Stratton.
Oakland A’s – A.J. Puk entered last night’s game in the fifth inning with Oakland trailing, 5-4, and promptly gave up three runs thanks to a triple and a throwing error. He then stayed on to pitch a perfect sixth and seventh. Puk’s previous appearance was in the seventh, though that was to protect a 5-3 lead with Oakland in a jam against the heart of the Yankees’ lineup. Based on this usage, we’ll move Lou Trivino to the top of this committee for now.
Updated hierarchy: *Trivino | Puk | Jackson.
* = closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays — If you read the Vulture Save Watch you were prepared for Adam Cimber to earn his fourth save of the season in a 4-1 win over Tampa Bay.
Hierarchy remains: Romano | Cimber | Mayza.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Chris Stratton (PIT) — We’re expecting David Bednar to hit the IL and Wil Crowe has thrown 55 pitches over the last two nights.
2. Eli Morgan (CLE) — Emmanuel Clase has gone in three straight.
3. Emilio Pagan (MIN) — Jhoan Duran may get a second straight day off after he threw 33 pitches on Wednesday.
4. Rafael Montero (HOU) — Ryan Pressly has pitched in two straight.
Saturday:
1. Adam Cimber (TOR) — If Jordan Romano pitches today that will be three of four.
2. Dealer’s Choice (MIL) — The same is true of the entire Brewers’ hierarchy.
