Scott Effross records save while Aroldis Chapman continues his string of great outings

August 14, 2022

New York Yankees – Aroldis Chapman pitched a perfect 8th inning in a tie game last night and picked up the win after the Yankees took the lead in the top of the 9th.  Scott Effross gave up a couple hits in the 9th but was able to hold the Red Sox scoreless for his first save as a Yankee.   Clay Holmes got the day off and Aaron Boone said they will be working with him to get him right.  Boone said that he still plans on using Holmes in the 9th inning on some nights, but that’s not the most glowing endorsement for a closer.  We think this is a committee for now and Aroldis Chapman could take the job back if he continues his dominant stretch.  

Updated hierarchy: *Holmes | Chapman | Effross.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers – Taylor Rogers and Devin Williams pitched scoreless innings in the 8th and 9th innings with the game tied.  That left Matt Bush for the extra innings save chance and he converted for his second save since coming over to the Brewers.  Bush struggled in his first two outings for the Brewers but now has saves in his last two and should see more time in the later innings.

Updated hierarchy: Williams | Rogers | Bush.

Texas Rangers – The Rangers used their hierarchy in order yesterday with Brock Burke pitched the 6th and 7th, Matt Moore in the 8th and Jonathan Hernandez with a scoreless 9th inning.  Hernandez now has three straight saves and that’s enough to kick the asterisk.  

Hierarchy remains: Hernandez | Moore | Burke.

Washington Nationals — After the Nationals tied the game in the bottom of the 6th inning, manager Davey Martinez called on Kyle Finnegan to pitch the 7th against the 3-4-5 hitters in the Padres’ lineup.  Finnegan ended up with the win after the Nationals took the lead and Carl Edwards Jr. handled the 9th for his second save.  This is the second straight win where Finnegan was used before the 9th inning in a big spot and Edwards got the save.  The Nationals don’t win often enough for us to get a good read on the bullpen but we will lead Finnegan at the top right now and see how Martinez continues to deploy Finnegan and Edwards.    

Hierarchy remains: Finnegan | Edwards | Harvey.

Atlanta Braves – Kenley Jansen picked up the save in game one of the doubleheader yesterday and Raisel Iglesias got the last two outs of game two to earn his first save as a Brave.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Iglesias | Minter.

Colorado Rockies – Alex Colome has been placed on the IL.  Lucas Gilbreath will slide into Colome’s spot in the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Bard | Estevez | Gilbreath.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Kendall Graveman (CHW) – Liam Hendriks has pitched in two straight.
2. Michael Fulmer (MIN) – Jorge Lopez and Jhoan Duran have both pitched in two straight.
3. Jose Leclerc (TEX) – Jonathan Hernandez and Matt Moore have both pitched in two straight while Brock Burke pitched two innings yesterday and threw 40 pitches.
4. Raisel Iglesias/AJ Minter (ATL) – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight, throwing a total of 43 pitches. Raisel Iglesias worked both games of the doubleheader yesterday.
5. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – Edwin Diaz has pitched in two straight, including a 25 pitch save yesterday.

Monday
1. Carl Edwards (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan threw 27 pitches yesterday so if he pitches again today, he will likely get Monday off.
2. Dominic Leone (SF) – If Camilo Doval pitches on Sunday, it will be three straight.