April 14, 2022
Philadelphia Phillies — It didn’t take Corey Knebel long to recover; he’s already back with the Phillies after a one-day stint on the COVID IL. We anticipate he’ll move right back into the ninth inning.
Updated hierarchy: Knebel | Alvarado | Hand.
San Francisco Giants — Gabe Kapler said Jake McGee was the closer, but he keeps going back to Camilo Doval in the ninth (like we predicted in the preseason). Doval converted this time and will move to the head of the committee with another similar outing.
Hierarchy remains: *McGee | Doval | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes pitched a low-leverage sixth with a five-run lead, and Jake Diekman and Hansel Robles worked in high leverage later after the Tigers fought back into the game. Diekman and Robles have looked very good in the early going, as has long man Garrett Whitlock. Stock in Barnes is continuing to trend sharply downward.
Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Diekman | Robles.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates — Wil Crowe, who led the Pirates in starts last season, has been converted to long relief, and picked up his first career save in a scoreless three-inning performance on Wednesday.
Hierarchy remains: *Bednar | Stratton | Hembree.
*= closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Aaron Bummer (CWS) — Liam Hendriks and Kendall Graveman have each gone in two straight.
2. Domingo Acevedo (OAK) — Lou Trivino has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Jake Cousins (MIL) — Everyone in the Brewers’ hierarchy has pitched in two straight and three of four, leaving a potential Thursday save chance to Cousins or Brent Suter.
Friday:
1. Brad Boxberger (MIL) — If Josh Hader and Devin Williams need a second day of rest, Brad Boxberger has thrown fewer pitches.
2. Ryne Stanek (HOU) — Ryan Pressly and Hector Neris have each pitched on three of the last four days and could get two straight days off.
3. Michael Fulmer (DET) — If Gregory Soto goes today, he’ll be off Friday.
4. Yimi Garcia (TOR) — Same goes for Jordan Romano.