August 3, 2019
Colorado Rockies — Bud Black announced that Scott Oberg will take over as closer “for the time being,” and that Wade Davis will move to the middle innings. Oberg got his first opportunity in his new role last night, coming in to protect a one-run lead. He gave up a pair of singles before inducing a game-ending double play to earn his fourth save on the year. Oberg has been excellent this year, including as a fill-in closer when Davis injured his oblique. Davis has had a frustrating year, posting a remarkable 0.68 ERA on the road but an ugly 11.29 at Coors Field, with a five-run meltdown on Wednesday serving as the last straw.
Updated hierarchy: Oberg | Shaw | Davis.
Toronto Blue Jays — With Ken Giles still recovering from a cortisone shot and Justin Shafer unavailable because he got sick in the middle of Friday’s game, Toronto turned to Derek Law for the eighth inning of a two-run game. When they extended the lead by one, Law continued in the ninth to secure his first save of the year. Law’s overall numbers are not great and he normally doesn’t factor into the Blue Jays’ late-inning plans, but he has been solid in the past couple weeks.
Hierarchy remains: Giles | Shafer | Mayza.
Minnesota Twins — As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, it was Sergio Romo who got the save opportunity with Taylor Rogers unavailable after pitching in three straight games. Sam Dyson got hit hard again last night and has gotten off to an awful start with Minnesota. Based on last night, we will bump Romo to first in line, but expect Taylor Rogers to continue to lead this committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | Romo | Dyson.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — It was an up-and-down Friday night for Jose Leclerc owners. After Jesse Chavez allowed one run in the eighth inning to create a save chance in the first place, Leclerc gave up two runs in a rocky and sometimes wild ninth inning to lock down his first save since April 17. After recording the final out, Leclerc did his best Trevor Bauer impersonation, though this outburst stemmed from elation, not anger. Leclerc remains as the best options for saves and postgame souvenirs in Texas.
Hierarchy remains: Leclerc | Chavez | Martin.
Philadelphia Phillies — Adam Morgan hit the IL for the second time this season and isn’t sure when he’s coming back. With Hector Neris serving a suspension and the Phillies nursing a one-run lead, Gabe Kapler turned to Nick Pivetta in the eighth inning and Juan Nicasio in the ninth. Nicasio got two outs before Kapler opted to bring in Jose Alvarez to play the matchups game. That didn’t work as the White Sox tied the game and eventually won a 15-inning affair. One bright spot was Blake Parker, who struck out four over two innings of work during extras. Based on last night, we’ll move Nicasio and Pivetta into the hierarchy, but it’s hard to trust anyone other than Neris in this bullpen. We’ll be quick to move Blake Parker into consideration if he gets a high-leverage chance and doesn’t stink.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Nicasio | Pivetta.
San Diego Padres — Kirby Yates has been excellent for San Diego this year and that continued when he picked up his 32nd save last night. However, the Padres have been searching for a way to get him the ball, and young fireballer Andres Munoz looks ready to bridge that gap. He pitched another clean inning last night, striking out one and maintaining his 0.00 ERA. Munoz may not see save chances right away, but he has closer of the future written all over him.
Updated hierarchy: Yates | Stammen | Munoz.
New York Mets — Mickey Callaway helped clarify how he sees his bullpen, stating that he was saving Justin Wilson and Seth Lugo last night in case the Mets took the lead. That plan backfired because the Mets extended their deficit to four runs by turning to Tyler Bashlor instead a more qualified option. Better luck next time.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Lugo | Wilson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Evan Marshall — Both Alex Colome and Aaron Bummer have pitched in three of four and have run up high pitch counts in that span.
2. Nick Pivetta — Hector Neris has one game remaining on his suspension and Pivetta is the most well-rested option in the Phillies’ bullpen among the likely candidates, as Juan Nicasio (41 pitches) Jose Alvarez (37 pitches) and Blake Parker (44 pitches) have all gone in two straight. A real dart throw for a save would be Ranger Suarez, or Neris coming out of the bullpen with a fake mustache.
3. Justin Shafer — Ken Giles is still out and hopefully Shafer feels better.
Sunday:
1. Michael Lorenzen/Amir Garrett — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for both Raisel Iglesias and Lorenzen.
2. Bryan Shaw — The same is true of newly anointed closer Scott Oberg.
3. Zack Britton/Adam Ottavino — As well as Aroldis Chapman and Britton.
4. Hunter Strickland — And Sean Doolittle.
5. Justin Shafer — We’ll hopefully know more about Ken Giles’ status later today. If he is still out, look to Shafer or Tim Mayza if Shafer has an unusually high workload Saturday.