Brandon Kintzler can’t get save number 30 while Juan Minaya might be closer of the future for White Sox

October 1, 2017

Chicago White Sox – Juan Minaya picked up his ninth save of the season on Saturday night.  Minaya was a perfect 6-for-6 on save chances in the month of September, and after struggling with walks in August, he only gave up two walks in September.  A lot can happen in the offseason, but with Minaya getting more comfortable in the ninth inning, he could be an option to close for the White Sox in 2018.

Hierarchy remains: Minaya | Farquhar | Alburquerque.

Washington Nationals – Brandon Kintzler got the call in the ninth inning last night to protect a one run lead.  Kintzler was seeking his 30th save of the season, but unfortunately he gave up four runs and took the loss instead.  With one more regular season game, it’s possible that Kintzler gets another shot, but it’s more likely he will fall just short of the 30 save mark this season.

Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Kintzler | Madson. 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joe Kelly/Matt Barnes – Craig Kimbrel, Addison Reed, and David Price have all pitched two in a row.
2. Dellin Betances – Aroldis Chapman should get Sunday off, and the Yankees might try to get Betances back on track with a save chance.
3. Hector Rondon – The Cubs could rest Davis, Edwards, Strop and Wilson after they all pitched yesterday,
4. Bryan Shaw – The Indians will likely rest closer Cody Allen on Sunday after they clinched home field in the AL.
5. Joe Musgrove – Ken Giles got yesterday off but after pitching the two games prior, he will likely get another day off.  Youngster Joe Musgrove hasn’t pitched in a couple days so the Astros might plan on using him if there is a save chance.
6. Josh Fields – Kenley Jansen will almost certainly be rested on Sunday after getting a four out save yesterday.  However, with the Dodgers having nothing to play for, it’s tough to know who else will be rested.  We will throw out a long shot in Josh Fields, who is well rested.

 

Vulture save lottery tickets galore on the penultimate day of the season

September 30, 2017

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs took the lead in the eighth inning last night, and brought in the already-warm Justin Grimm for the ninth. Grimm pitched a perfect inning to pick up his first save of the year. Grimm has had a tough year, and doesn’t normally figure into the late inning plans for Chicago, but the Cubs have locked up the division, and are looking to rest their top relievers going into the playoffs. We won’t update the hierarchy based on this, but keep an eye on the vulture save watch section as the Cubs may provide a good opportunity this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Edwards | Strop.

Miami Marlins — Brad Ziegler got a rare one-pitch double-play save for his 10th of the year. The last time this happened was David Robertson on September 29 last year. The Marlins committee will continue through the weekend as they finish up another year outside the playoffs.

Hierarchy remains: *Barraclough | Ziegler | Steckenrider.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
This weekend provides some unique vulture save opportunities. The Twins, Nationals, Cubs and Diamondbacks all have locked in their playoff positions, and may be looking to rest their normal relievers, so they will appear in the VSW despite the fact that their late inning usage may not seem to indicate it. This is the order we think has the best chance at a vulture save this weekend.

Saturday:
1. Justin Wilson/Hector Rondon — Joe Maddon has already indicated he wants to rest Wade Davis, CJ Edwards, and Pedro Strop ahead of the playoff matchup with the Nationals. If the Cubs hold a late lead, they will likely turn to Wilson or Rondon this weekend.
2. Archie Bradley — Fernando Rodney has been excellent this year, but with the Diamondbacks locked into the top wild card in the NL, the Diamondbacks may rest the 40-year-old to be ready for the playoffs.
3. Bryan Shaw — Cody Allen pitched the seventh inning of a blowout last night, and was previously rested to be ready for the playoffs. Expect the Indians to be cautious with their closer for the last two games, with an eye on the postseason.
4. Chris Devenski — Ken Giles recorded a save last night and has now pitched in back-to-back games. The Astros could still challenge for the best record in the AL, but probably won’t burn out Giles in order to do it.
5. Tyler Duffey — The Twins leaned heavily on their bullpen in their playoff push; now that their spot is secured, they may rest their top arms and give the well-rested Duffey a chance to lock up any saves.
6. Brandon Kintzler — The Nationals are already pretty well-rested, but if they decide not to overwork Sean Doolittle, Kintzler would be the beneficiary.  He’s still lookimg for save number 30.
7. Joakim Soria — Mike Minor got the save last night for the Royals and he has now pitched in three of the last four.
8. Matt Bush — Alex Claudio has pitched in back-to-back games for the Rangers.
9. Anthony Swarzak/Josh Hader — The Brewers need to win out to have any chance at the playoffs, but Corey Knebel has gone back-to-back and in three of four, including giving up two runs last night. Milwaukee may have to rest him for one of these two games, and while Hader is better-rested, Swarzak has been pitching better recently.
 
Sunday:
1. Addison Reed/David Price — Craig Kimbrel pitched last night, and the Red Sox may have wrapped up the AL East race by Sunday. Reed or David Price may get a save opportunity as a result.
2. Cam Bedrosian — If either Blake Parker or Yusmiero Petit pitches today, that would be back-to-back and three out of four.

 

Minor may make major change next season

September 29, 2017

Kansas City Royals — De facto closer Mike Minor plans on training in the offseason as if he’ll be a starting pitcher next year. He’s open to remaining in the bullpen, but he wants to have a key role either way.

Hierarchy remains: *Minor | Soria | Herrera.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – A.J. Ramos is listed as day-to-day with biceps tendinitis, but with so few games left in the season and the Mets out of contention, Ramos is probably done for the year.

Updated hierarchy: *Familia | Blevins | Sewald.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves – Rex Brothers put Giancarlo Stanton on the brink of what would be an historic number: 60. Brothers allowed Stanton’s second homer of Thursday’s game, giving him 59 home runs this season. Sixty would bring him on par with Babe Ruth and Roger Maris (and technically Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds). Sure, this is barely an update about Brothers, but with so little drama in bullpens across the league, we thought we’d take time to admire some history on the other side of the diamond.

Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Ramirez | Freeman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brandon Kintzler – Remember Kintzler’s quest for 30 saves? He picked up his 29th last week, and with three games to go, he may get to his mark. Sean Doolittle blew the save Thursday (but got the win), while Kintzler pitched the seventh inning, so perhaps the 30-save milestone isn’t quite on Dusty Baker’s radar. Or is it…

Tomorrow
1. Brandon Kintzler – See above.
2. Chris Hatcher – Blake Treinen, Hatcher and Liam Hendriks have each pitched in two straight. If Treinen pitches again Friday, whoever has the most rest may be in line for a vulture save Saturday or Sunday.
3. Daniel Stumpf – Shane Greene has pitched in two straight. Stumpf and Drew VerHagen have gone in three straight. If Greene goes Friday and the other two get rest, Stumpf or VerHagen could snatch a vulture save over the weekend.

Liam Hendriks passes Santiago Casilla

September 28, 2017

Oakland A’s — Liam Hendriks got the seventh ahead of Chris Hatcher and Blake Treinen last night. We know that, at this point in the season, we’re the only ones who care about this, so we didn’t bother emailing you about it. You’re welcome. Donate button’s on the right sidebar!

Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Hatcher | Hendriks.

Adam Morgan pitching well in Philadelphia

September 27, 2017

Philadelphia Phillies – Adam Morgan, who has allowed just two runs over his last 25 innings, has recorded a hold in each of his last three appearances, twice pitching after Edubray Ramos. While the lefty isn’t likely to get a save during the final week, he may be worth an add if you’re looking for holds.

Updated hierarchy: Neris | Garcia | Morgan.

Kansas City Royals — Joakim Soria looks to have reclaimed the eighth inning since coming off the DL. Kelvin Herrera pitched the seventh ahead of Soria in a 2-1 win on Tuesday, and may do more of the same to finish the season.

Updated hierarchy: *Minor | Soria | Herrera.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates – Steven Brault allowed just two hits over the final three innings of a 10-1 Pirates win en route to picking up his first career save.

Hierarchy remains: Rivero | Kontos | Hudson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. AJ Ramos – Jeurys Familia has pitched in two straight and four of five.

Tomorrow
1. Tyler Lyons/Seung Hwan Oh – Juan Nicasio threw 31 pitches to get the final four outs in Tuesday’s win. The Cardinals are fighting for the final Wild Card spot, but if Nicasio throws a lot of pitches again on Wednesday, he may get a night off on Thursday.