April 15, 2017
Los Angeles Dodgers — Pedro Baez was activated from the disabled list and immediately saw late-inning action with a lead. A six-run lead, sure, and only against three batters, but Baez was solid, striking out one and throwing 11 of his 15 pitches for strikes. We expect Baez to take over the seventh inning now that he has returned.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Romo | Baez.
Houston Astros – Chris Devenski isn’t in the Astros’ top three, but he’s worth your consideration if you’re in a deep league and need help with ratios and strikeouts. On the strength of a 12 MPH gap between his fastball and changeup, Devenski has 19 strikeouts over 9 innings so far this year — including three last night.
Hierarchy remains: Giles | Gregerson | Harris.
Seattle Mariners — Mark Rzepczynski has been excellent in the early going, including a scoreless outing last night for his third hold of the season. Scrabble is a classic LOOGY with a hefty contract, who has squeezed 10 outs out of the nine lefties he has faced this season, thanks to a double play. While he won’t see many traditional save chances, he could vulture an opportunity if Diaz is unavailable and the ninth is lefty-heavy.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Altavilla | Vincent.
Cincinnati Reds — Reds manager Bryan Price promised to try something different with his bullpen — using relievers for multiple innings at a time — and thus far it has paid off. His reluctance to use relievers on back-to-back days (only Wandy Peralta and Blake Wood have gone in two straight) can help you out with extra vulture saves and holds if you pay close attention.
Hierarchy remains: *Iglesias | Storen | Lorenzen.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tyler Clippard, New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman pitched in his third straight game yesterday and will be unavailable. Dellin Betances will probably also be off, having thrown 42 in the last two days.
Sunday:
1. Brad Brach/Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — All three of Baltimore’s top relievers have pitched on consecutive days, so if any are held out of today’s game, they are likely to go on Sunday.
2. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox — David Robertson has pitched in three of the last four, so if he gets the call again today, he will certainly get Sunday off.
3. Brad Ziegler/David Phelps, Miami Marlins — AJ Ramos has pitched in three of four well, so another appearance today would leave him out for Sunday. Phelps has been getting the eighth inning regularly, but Ziegler might still be the backup closer.