June 25, 2018
Atlanta Braves – Up by 2 runs — and having put Arodys Vizcaino on the DL earlier in the day — the Braves summoned Dan Winkler for the 8th inning, leaving the 9th to AJ Minter. Both men did their jobs, though the Braves tacked on two more in the bottom of the 8th, so it wasn’t a save chance for Minter. Every indication thus far has been that the Braves will play matchups with these two, but since Minter has a save now and Winkler blew his chance on Friday, we’ll bump the lefty up to the top. Expect one of these two guys to get virtually every save chance until Arodys Vizcaino returns.
Updated hierarchy: *Minter | Winkler | Carle.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Trevor Hildenberger logged another scoreless inning yesterday, picking up his third hold of the week — two of which have come immediately in front of Fernando Rodney. Meanwhile, Addison Reed has allowed 14 baserunners in 7.2 innings since the start of June, and has been used most recently in games that the Twins were losing. Reed has the experience, so he could still be tapped for saves when Rodney is unavailable, but for now, usage indicates that Hildenberger is the next man up.
Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Hildenberger | Reed.
Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays used closer Ryan Tepera to try and get out of an 8th inning jam, but while the righty wasn’t charged with any earned runs himself, he did allow all of his inherited runners to score, resulting in a blown save. He stayed on for the 9th, and then gave way to Tyler Clippard for the 10th after the Blue Jays rallied. Clippard allowed a leadoff single, but hung on for his 4th save of the year.
Hierarchy remains: Tepera | Oh | Clippard.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Seung-Hwan Oh – Ryan Tepera has pitched 2.1 innings over the last two days.
Tomorrow
1. Drew Steckenrider/Brad Ziegler – If Kyle Barraclough goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
2. Josh Fields – If Kenley Jansen goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
3. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
4. Archie Bradley – If Brad Boxberger goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.