June 20, 2019
San Diego Padres — As we predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Kirby Yates got Wednesday afternoon off after earning a save each of the last three days, so Craig Stammen navigated a nervy ninth inning for his third save of the year.
Hierarchy remains: Yates | Stammen | Wingenter.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Julio Urias will make a spot start on Thursday against the Giants, but Dave Roberts said that Urias will return to the bullpen and not remain part of a six-man rotation.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Baez | Urias.
Colorado Rockies – The struggling Wade Davis got a chance to right the ship on Wednesday when he entered the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He struck out the first batter he faced before allowing a solo home run. Davis bounced back with another strikeout and then stranded a runner at second to end the game, but he has now allowed an earned run in four straight appearances. Meanwhile, Scott Oberg cruised through 1.2 innings of work to get the ball to Davis. The Rockies pay Davis a lot of money to close games, but if he keeps giving up runs they soon could find it more productive to pay him a lot of money to watch Oberg close games instead.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Oberg | Shaw.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. John Gant — Jordan Hicks only threw 21 pitches yesterday, but it was over two innings. Carlos Martinez needed 30 pitches to get through his 1.2 innings of work on Wednesday, so John Gant may sneak a save chance today.
Friday:
1. Tayron Guerrero/Nick Anderson — If Sergio Romo pitches today, that will be his third straight day of work. Tayron Guerrero enters today having pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Anthony Bass/Austin Adams — Roenis Elias threw 21 pitches yesterday and may get Friday off if he has another heavy workload today. Anthony Bass had a 20-pitch outing on Wednesday, so he may be in the same boat as Elias on Friday.