July 16, 2022
Boston Red Sox – New York’s hottest ticket was last night’s Red-Sox Yankees game. This one had everything: pre game IL moves; Aaron Boone getting ejected arguing balls and strikes; a Ryan Brasier Vulture Save; and a Houckdini. What’s a Houckdini? It’s that thing where you commit a throwing error to let the tying run score, walk the bases loaded with no outs, then get a 3rd to catcher to first double play and a groundout to escape the inning before earning the win in extras after Xander Bogaerts steals a run on a wild pitch. Dirty Water indeed.
Updated Hierarchy: Houck | Schreiber | Whitlock.
Milwaukee Brewers – Josh Hader, who gave up 8 runs all of last year, has given up 9 runs in his last two appearances. Hader gave up 3 runs in taking the loss on Wednesday, and surrendered 6 last night, including a walk off Grand Slam. After the game he said “I feel like I’m trying to feel things that I don’t need to. I lost that aggressiveness that I normally have. I just have to chalk it up and move on.” It has been a rough month of July for Hader, giving up runs in 5 of his 7 appearances and balooning his ERA a full 3 points from 1.50 to 4.50. Meanwhile, Devin Williams is waiting in the wings, and hasn’t given up a run in 26 appearances dating back to May 13. Hader has more than earned a bit of a leash, and opting out of the All Star Game may give him a bit of rest, but with Milwaukee holding off the Cardinals in the NL Central, don’t be surprised if Williams starts snagging a few extra save opportunities.
Hierarchy remains: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.
Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies took a 1 run lead in the 7th inning and bridged the gap to Seranthony Dominguez with clean innings from Jose Alvarado and Brad Hand. Dominguez made it interesting, walking the bases loaded with 1 out, but a force out at home and a strikeout secured his 4th save of the year. Proving that the Phillies are dedicated to this committee, the last three saves form Philadelphia have gone to Dominguez, Knebel and Hand, and there isn’t any reason to think that any one has separated themselves from the pack at this point.
Hierarchy remains: *Dominguez | Hand | Knebel.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — Another score for the VSW, although it took some teamwork to get there. With Kenley Jansen getting the night off and AJ Minter also needing a rest, the Braves gave Will Smith a 7 run lead in the 9th. He responded by giving up 3 hits and 2 walks before leaving with the bases loaded and 2 outs. This put the tying run on deck, for AJ Minter, and while he threw a wild pitch and walked a batter, he got a strikeout to end the adventure earn his 5th save on the year. Kenley Jansen should be back for the weekend.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Minter | Smith.
Tampa Bay Rays — While the Rays didn’t get any closer to breaking their own number-of-relievers-to-get-a-save-in-a-single-season record, they did give the 9th inning to Brooks Raley after Colin Poche gave up 2 runs in the 8th. Raley converted for his 6th save of the year. The last 4 days have seen 4 saves by 3 different relievers, with Raley getting 2 of them. This is the Rays we know and love.
Hierarchy remains: *Poche | Adam | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – A near miss for the Vulture Save Watch, as Eli Morgan took the 8th inning, leaving the 9th to Trevor Stephan. They both pitched clean innings to preserve a 1 run win for the Guardians. Emmanuel Clase should be available today.
Hierarchy remains: Clase | Morgan | Stephan.
Vulture Save Watch:
- Devin Williams (MIL) — Josh Hader has pitched in 3 of 4, including 22 pitches last night.
- Lucas Luetge (NYY) — Clay Holmes, Michael King and Wandy Peralta (and Aroldis Chapman) have all pitched in 3 of 4, which means Luetge could get the call in a save situation today.
- Corey Knebel (PHI) — Although committees don’t usually warrant an appearance on the VSW, we wanted to note that Knebel was the only hierarchy member who didn’t pitch last night.
- Adam Ottavino (NYM) — The Mets play a doubleheader…
- Rowan Wick (CHC) — …against the Cubs.
For Sunday:
- Evan Phillips (LAD) — Craig Kimbrel got last night off, but today would still be 3 of 4 and he has had some high pitch counts.
- Dominic Leone (SF) — The same is true for Camilo Doval.