July 17, 2022
Minnesota Twins – Jhoan Duran struck out three over two scoreless innings to pick up his 6th save of the season. The Twins have not had many saves opportunities recently but Duran had a great first half of the season so we will see if he can establish himself as the primary closer and kick the asterisk as the season progresses.
Hierarchy remains: *Duran | Pagan | Jax.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants — Camilo Doval got a second straight day off after throwing a career high 41 pitches on Thursday. Dominic Leone pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his second save and should continue to see save chances when Doval is unavailable.
Hierarchy remains: Doval | Leone | Brebbia.
New York Yankees — Ryan Weber, who might be the best golfer on the Yankees and was formerly the number three starter for the Red Sox in 2020, pitched three scoreless innings to finish off a Yankees’ 14-1 victory over the Red Sox and record his first career save.
Hierarchy remains: Holmes | King | Peralta.
Kansas City Royals – Josh Staumont returned from the IL and threw a scoreless 8th inning ahead of closer Scott Barlow with the game tied. He should move right back into his set-up role.
Updated hierarchy: Barlow | Staumont | Coleman.
Baltimore Orioles – Joey Krehbiel came on for the last out in the bottom of the 11th inning and recorded his first career save. Jorge Lopez got the win after pitching a scoreless bottom of the 9th and allowing just the ghost runner to score in the bottom of the 10th. Dillon Tate pitched earlier in the game but Felix Bautista was not available due to upper body soreness. We will monitor to see how serious Bautista’s injury is.
Hierarchy remains: Lopez | Bautista | Tate.
Seattle Mariners — That Mariners were looking for their 13th win in a row yesterday and after taking the lead in the top of the 10th, Matt Festa was tasked with protecting it. Festa struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th inning to pick up his first career save. Paul Sewald, Diego Castillo, and Anthony Munoz all pitched scoreless innings earlier in the game.
Hierarchy remains: Sewald | Castillo | Muñoz.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brooks Raley (TB) – It’s hard enough to predict a regular save for the Rays so a Vulture Save might be even harder but Colin Poche and Jason Adam have both been busy so maybe Raley gets a save chance today.
2. Emilio Pagan (MIN) – Jhoan Duran threw 40 pitches yesterday.
3. Josh Staumont (KC) – Scott Barlow has pitched in three of the last four.
4. Luis Garcia (SD) – Taylor Rogers has pitched in two straight.
Monday
1. Junior Betances (AKR) – 5 foot 9 Jose Ramirez is in the Home Run Derby this year and Junior Betances will be his pitcher. Can Betances save Ramirez’s chances of winning by giving up a lot of homers?