September 10, 2020
Los Angeles Dodgers — As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Kenley Jansen was given the night off after a 31 pitch outing on Tuesday, so the extra innings save chance fell to Blake Treinen. Treinen pitched a clean inning to get his first save of the year. Treinen has been good this year, only giving up runs in 3 appearances, but he isn’t a threat to take over for Jansen, who is enjoying a return to form after a couple of down years.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Ferguson.
San Diego Padres – With a 1 run lead going into the 7th, and everyone (mostly) rested we got a clean look at how the Padres intend to use their bullpen in close games. They started with Dan Altavilla, who was just picked up in a trade from the Mariners. He pitched a clean inning and turned it over to Drew Pomeranz, who was activated from the IL last week. Pomeranz worked around a pair of singles to escape the inning, which left the save to recently acquired Trevor Rosenthal, who converted for his second save as a Padre. After losing Kirby Yates to surgery, the Padres were aggressive at the trade deadline to bolster their bullpen, and we think last night’s game is a good indication of how they will line up when everyone is rested.
Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Pomeranz | Altavilla.
Atlanta Braves — With a 14 run lead going into the 6th inning, the Braves turned the game over to Bryse Wilson. Wilson pitched 4 mostly uneventful innings to earn his first career save. Wilson was just called up this week, and projects as more of a starter than a late-inning arm. We don’t expect Wilson to make any real impact on the hierarchy.
Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Greene | Smith.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Andre Scrubb/Brad Peacock – Ryan Pressly has pitched in back to back games, while Andre Scrubb pitched last night.
2. Joakim Soria/Jake Diekman – Liam Hendriks has also pitched back to back, and Joakim Soria threw 9 pitches last night.
3. Scott Barlow – Greg Holland has pitched back to back days.
4. Stefan Crichton – Kevin Ginkel has pitched in back to back games. The same is true for Stefan Crichton, but he has a slightly lower pitch count, while Junior Guerra threw 31 pitches last night.
Friday
1. Jose Ciserno/Buck Farmer – Gregory Soto threw 21 pitches on Tuesday, so another long outing would earn him rest on Friday.
2. Jonathan Hernandez/Brett Martin – Rafael Montero threw 17 pitches last night, so if he pitches today he will likely get Friday off. Hernandez has pitched back to back, so he should be rested, but if he makes it into tonight’s game as well, look for Martin to get a Friday chance.
3. Tanner Scott/Evan Phillips – Both Hunter Harvey and Tanner Scott pitched last night, so if they pitch again today they will likely get Friday off.
4. Archie Bradley – Raisel Iglesias threw 10 pitches last night so a long outing today would keep him out on Friday
5. Drew Pomeranz/Dan Altavilla – The entire Padres hierarchy pitched last night, so anyone that goes today will likely need Friday off.