August 15, 2021
Miami Marlins – Dylan Floro came on with two outs in the 8th inning and the Marlins up two, but quickly made a mess of things. He gave up a single and a walk to load the bases and then a double to clear the bases and blow the lead. After the Marlins took the lead again in the bottom of the 8th inning, Anthony Bender came out for the 9th trying to protect a one-run lead. Bender struck out a pair in a perfect inning to pick up his third save of the season. That’s two straight saves for Bender, and he also got the 9th inning to finish off the Marlins win on Friday, though that was not a save opportunity. Floro has now allowed at least one earned run in three of his past four outings and based on last night’s usage and results, we will move Bender to the top of this committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Bender | Floro | Bass.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Zack Britton told manager Aaron Boone to remove him as closer and that meant that Chad Green got the call in the 9th inning yesterday with the Yankees up one. Unfortunately for Yankees fans and fantasy owners, he couldn’t get the job done. After the Yankees took the lead again in the top of the 10th, out trotted Zack Britton from the bullpen to try and record the save. However, he clearly wasn’t kidding about wanting to be removed from the closer role and after allowing a single in between a pair of walks, he was pulled for Albert Abreu. Abreu retired the two batters he faced and picked up his first career save. Jonathan Loaisiga and Chad Green should split save chances with Britton no longer an option and we will move Loaisiga to the top of the committee after Green blew the save yesterday.
Updated hierarchy: *Loaisiga | Green | Britton.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen and Blake Treinen were both unavailable last night, but you already knew that was going to happen after reading yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch. Corey Knebel came on to record the final out of the game and record his third save of the season. Score another one for the VSW.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Knebel.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Tyler Gilbert threw a no-hitter in his first career start last night. We will slide Sean Poppen into Gilbert’s spot in the hierarchy and welcome Taylor Clarke to second in line after getting the 8th inning ahead of Clippard the other night.
Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Poppen | Clarke.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dylan Floro (MIA) – Anthony Bender has pitched in two straight and three of four.
Monday
1. Craig Kimbrel/Michael Kopech (CHW) – If Liam Hendriks pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four.
2. Trevor May (NYM) – If Edwin Diaz pitches on Sunday, it will be four of the last five.