August 23, 2018
New York Yankees — Aaron Boone hasn’t been thrilling Yankee fans with his bullpen management lately. Now with Aroldis Chapman headed to the disabled list, Boone says he’ll “mix and match” in the ninth inning among Dellin Betances, Zach Britton, and David Robertson. Robertson has had recent shoulder concerns, but he also has closing experience and great numbers this month. Britton has a 5.23 ERA in 11 appearances for New York, and has yet to prove he’s the same unhittable reliever we saw in 2014-2016. Betances has been outstanding since mid-May, allowing only three runs over his last 36 appearances, but Boone may hesitate to move him from his dominant eighth-inning role. If Robertson is actually healthy, he could get the first shot, but we’ll keep Betances in the first chair of this committee for now.
Updated hierarchy: *Betances | Robertson | Britton.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — AJ Minter said he was available on Wednesday, but Brian Snitker elected to give him one more day of rest and use Jonny Venters to pick up the save. Venters, Brad Brach, and Dan Winkler are fairly equal in the Atlanta pen, but we’ll give Venters a turn in the hierarchy after this save. He still hasn’t allowed a run after 11 appearances with the Braves.
Updated hierarchy: Minter | Winkler | Venters.
Chicago White Sox — The White Sox traded Luis Avilan to Philadelphia and called up relief prospect Ryan Burr. Burr, the all-time leader in saves at Arizona State, is probably as likely as anyone in this random bullpen to grab saves going forward, but for now we’ll reshuffle Jace Fry, Xavier Cedeno, and Jeanmar Gomez in roughly the order they’ve been appearing lately.
Updated hierarchy: *Fry | Cedeno | Gomez.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets — Robert Gsellman pitched the eighth inning against the heart of the Giants lineup, but with Seth Lugo coming off 52 pitches over the last three days, Mickey Callaway called on Daniel Zamora and Paul Sewald to close the game. Sewald still has an 0-10 career record, but now he has a save to go with it. Expect Gsellman and Lugo to be rested more often down the stretch.
Hierarchy remains: *Gsellman | Lugo | Blevins.
* = closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals — As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Bud Norris got a night off and Jordan Hicks grabbed the save by striking out the side with 103 MPH heat.
Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hicks | Hudson.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Two appearances for Kenley Jansen since his DL stint; three home runs allowed. We continue to expect this is just a blip that won’t affect his long-term value.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Alexander | Maeda.
Milwaukee Brewers — Jeremy Jeffress entered with the bases loaded in the eighth and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up his second straight save.
Hierarchy remains: *Hader | Jeffress | Burnes.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jose Alvarado — Sergio Romo has gone in three of four. Although Alvarado has too, he threw only four pitches on Wednesday and none on Tuesday.
2. Seth Lugo — Gsellman has gone in two of three.
Friday:
1. Cody Allen — An appearance Thursday would be three in four days for Brad Hand.