Sam Dyson on thin ice in Texas

April 12, 2017

Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson’s struggles continued on Tuesday, as he allowed three runs in the ninth to send the game to extra innings, with the Rangers eventually losing in the 10th. That’s now 11 earned runs in four appearances for Dyson, three of which have been bad. After the game, Jeff Banister said that the team will need to consider its options regarding the closer role. Those options are either Matt Bush or Jeremy Jeffress. We still like Bush over Jeffress, despite Bush being “unavailable” on Tuesday, but we’ll hopefully get more clarity from Banister on Wednesday. If Bush can’t go, expect Jeffress to get the call.

Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Bush | Jeffress.

Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna made his season debut on Tuesday, pitching the ninth in a 4-3 loss. He’ll resume his closing duties immediately, and John Gibbons said that he won’t hesitate to use Osuna on back-to-back days,

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Grilli | Biagini.

Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon was sent to Triple-A to work on getting in shape. While Rondon works on his conditioning, Shane Greene and lefty Kyle Ryan will work ahead of Justin Wilson and K-Rod. This isn’t the first time Rondon has needed a stint in the minors to get right, and we’ll just have to wait and see how long it takes for him to get back to Detroit this time.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | Greene.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Randall Delgado has been used mostly in long relief duty so far this season, which means his days in the Arizona hierarchy are done. Who replaces him? Right now, nobody has emerged as a clear favorite. Archie Bradley was the last Diamondback to pitch in a tight game ahead of Fernando Rodney, though he may transition back into a starter. Tom Wilhelmsen has ample experience in the late innings as well. We’ll need the 7-2 D-Backs to play a close game to really see how the bullpen lines up, but we’ll give the edge to Wilhelmsen at the moment.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Hoover | Wilhelmsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers – Both K-Rod and Justin Wilson have gone in two straight games, so Greene may get the nod if a save situation arises.
2. Luke Gregerson, Houston Astros – Ken Giles needed 31 pitches to finish off Tuesday’s game, so he may get a night off.

Thursday
1. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays – While Osuna should be available Wednesday, Thursday may be a different story if he does go back-to-back days.
2. Carlos Torres/Corey Knebel, Milwaukee Brewers – Neftali Feliz may need a breather if he pitches Wednesday. If Corey Knebel pitches on Wednesday as well, he’ll have joined Feliz on back-to-back outings.
3. Andrew Bailey, Los Angeles Angels – Cam Bedrosian may have thrown on two straight days entering Thursday.
4. Justin Wilson/Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers – If K-Rod does pitch Wednesday, don’t expect him on Thursday.
5. Adam Ottavino/Mike Dunn, Colorado Rockies – We don’t expect Greg Holland to pitch three straight days, so if he gets the call Wednesday we expect Ottavino to get the ninth on Thursday. Mike Dunn may get tabbed as well if Ottavino goes on Wednesday as well.

Trevor Rosenthal activated; Oakland’s closer committee looking sturdy

April 11, 2017

Oakland A’s – The closer-by-committee arrangement in Oakland is proving durable to start the season, as Bob Melvin continues to rotate through his best arms in tight games. Last night it was Smash Mouth superfan Sean Doolittle picking up his first save of the season in a two-run win at Kansas City. Santiago Casilla, who notched the A’s first save of the season, pitched the eight inning.

Hierarchy remains: *Madson | Casilla | Doolittle.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – Former Cards closer Trevor Rosenthal was activated off the DL yesterday and immediately saw action in a lopsided contest in Washington. He promptly struck out the side on 14 pitches. Given his resume, we expect Rosenthal to get late-inning opportunities going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Oh | Siegrist | Rosenthal.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Fernando Salas, New York Mets – Addison Reed has thrown 35 pitches in two days and may get a rest.

Wednesday
1. Hunter Strickland/Derek Law, San Francisco Giants – Mark Melancon has pitched two straight.

Jeanmar Gomez could lose his job by the time you finish reading this

April 10, 2017

Philadelphia Phillies – After four Phillies pitchers combined to shut out the Nationals for eight innings, Jeanmar Gomez came in and surrendered a three-run, game-tying homer. He earned the win when the Phillies walked off, but after the game, Pete Mackanin told reporters he was going to have a talk with Gomez, saying ominously “I’ll have something for you tomorrow.” We think it’s likely that the Phillies have a new closer by the time they take the field tonight against the Mets, and that Hector Neris is the most likely candidate. Joaquin Benoit is worth an add in deep leagues as well.

Hierarchy remains: Gomez | Neris | Benoit.

Seattle Mariners – The Angels staged a stunning comeback against the Seattle bullpen on Sunday, scoring seven runs in the bottom of the 9th to win the game 10-9. Casey Fien was the main offender, but Edwin Diaz also had his first rough outing of the season, facing seven batters and allowing five of them to reach base. Diaz has some of the best stuff in the bigs, and the Mariners don’t have any strong options behind him, so we suspect he bounces back quickly, but we’ll drop Nick Vincent down a peg in favor of last year’s closer for Seattle’s AA affiliate, Dan Altavilla. Vincent wasn’t part of the massive meltdown, but he had a role in paving the way, giving up two runs in the 7th, while Altavilla, who throws a nice slide-piece, struck out the only hitter he faced in the 8th.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Altavilla | Vincent.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies – In the unlikely event that Jeanmar Gomez gets to keep his job, he still could get a night off tonight.

Tuesday
1. Dan Altavilla, Seattle Mariners – Edwin Diaz threw 23 pitches in Sunday’s messfest; another long outing today means a rest on Tuesday.
2. Matt Barnes, Boston Red Sox – Craig Kimbrel threw 25 pitches last night; another long outing today could mean a rest on Tuesday.

Britton’s ankle is fine as he records 52nd straight save

April 9, 2017

Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton’s ankle is fine, and he was able to record his 52nd straight save in an Orioles’ comeback win on Saturday.  Britton will likely get the day off Sunday after appearing in the past two games, but Orioles’ fans and fantasy owners can stop worrying about his ankle for now.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | Brach | O’Day.

Detroit Tigers — Francisco Rodriguez was given the day off on Saturday after the Tigers used him for more than one inning on Friday.  Justin Wilson got the call in K-Rod’s absence, and responded with a perfect inning to record the save.  Bruce Rondon struggled on Friday, and even though Wilson also pitched on Friday, the Tigers felt more comfortable bringing Wilson back for the save last night.  Wilson appears to have moved ahead of Rondon for now, but this situation will likely be fluid for the early part of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | Rondon.

Los Angeles Angels – Cam Bedrosian struck out four batters in 1.2 innings to pick up his second save of the season.  Although manager Mike Scioscia will not follow strict bullpen roles, Bedrosian is clearly the best pitcher in the Angels’ bullpen right now and should see the majority of save chances.

Hierarchy remains: *Bedrosian | Bailey | Parker.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres — The Padres gave closer Brandon Maurer the night off on Saturday after pitching in the prior two games.  Ryan Buchter recorded his first save of the season, and he should continue to see save chances when Maurer is unavailable until Carter Capps is ready to return.

Hierarchy remains: Maurer | Buchter | Hand.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH

Today
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles  – Zach Britton and Brad Brach have both pitched in two straight, and three of the past four
2. Andrew Bailey, Los Angeles Angels – Cam Bedrosian threw 31 pitches last night in recording a five out save.
3. Juan Nicasio, Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Watson, Daniel Hudson, and Felipe Rivero have all appeared in two straight and three of the past four.
4. Erasmo Ramirez, Tampa Bay Rays – Alex Colome has pitched in two straight and three of four.

Monday
1. Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies – If Greg Holland pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four, and he would likely get Monday off.
2. Shawn Kelley/Koda Glover, Washington Nationals – If Blake Treinen pitches on Sunday, that will be four games in five days and he would probably not pitch Monday.  Shawn Kelley or Koda Glover could be used, depending on who pitches Sunday.