May 2, 2017
San Francisco Giants – Mark Melancon got the night off after pitching in four of the previous five games, so late inning duties went to Steven Okert and Derek Law. After Okert navigated the 8th and got the first two hitters in the 9th, Law was summoned to face Yasiel Puig. It was a little surprising to see Law rather than Hunter Strickland, who has yet to allow a run in 10 innings this season, but it worked out for the Giants, as Law struck Puig out to end the game and pick up his first save. We’ll watch for more clues for who Melancon’s handcuff is in the coming days and weeks.
Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Strickland | Law.
Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton will be activated from the disabled list today. Brad Brach, who picked up five saves in his absence, will slide back to his set-up role alongside Darren O’Day.
Updated hierarchy: Britton | Brach | O’Day.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Clint Hurdle was probably hoping that pushing Daniel Hudson right back out there would be a good way to clear the reliever’s mind after a disastrous outing on Sunday. It didn’t work, though, as Hudson gave up a walkoff double to Billy Hamilton and took the loss. He’s now given up 8 runs in his last three outings (1.2 IP), and it’s likely than Juan Nicasio is used — at least for the time being — when the Pirates need a righty in the late innings.
Updated hierarchy: Watson | Rivero | Nicasio.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Addison Reed/Hansel Robles – Both Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed have gone in four of the last five. One or both could get the night off.
2. Corey Knebel/Jacob Barnes – Neftali Feliz and Corey Knebel have both pitched in back to back games and three of four. One or both could get the night off.
Tomorrow
1. Danny Farquhar – If Alex Colome goes today, it’ll be three straight.
2. Luke Gregerson – If Ken Giles goes today, it’ll be three straight.
3. Trevor Rosenthal – If Seung-Hwan Oh goes today, it’ll be back to back games; yesterday, he threw 25 pitches over 1.2 innings.
4. Addison Reed/Hansel Robles – See above and monitor who goes tonight for the Mets.
5. Corey Knebel/Jacob Barnes – See above and monitor who goes tonight for the Brewers.