July 27, 2022
Chicago Cubs – Future former Cub David Robertson was unavailable for a second straight day, which allowed Mychal Givens to secure his second save of the season. It’s pretty clear that they will be careful with Robertson ahead of the trade deadline, with teams like the Mets interested in acquiring his services.
Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Wick | Effross.
San Diego Padres — After Taylor Rogers blew a one-run lead in the ninth, the Padres retook the lead in the 10th and gave the ball to Nick Martinez for the save. Martinez converted for his fourth save of the season, though it was his first save of less than three innings. Martinez, who has a pair of eighth-inning holds this month, is becoming a go-to reliever for the Padres, especially against lefties.
Updated hierarchy: Rogers | Garcia | Martinez.
Seattle Mariners – For the second straight night, Paul Sewald got the eighth inning, this time facing the Rangers’ 9-1-2 hitters with a 3-1 lead. Texas scored twice to tie the game, which left Erik Swanson to pitch the ninth with the score tied. Based on this usage, we’ll return the asterisk to Seattle’s hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: *Sewald | Castillo | Swanson.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals — After recording a seventh-inning hold on Monday, Hunter Harvey pitched a scoreless ninth on Tuesday to close out an 8-3 win. It’s worth noting that Harvey was warming up when the Nationals’ lead was just 5-3, which means he was in line for a vulture save with Kyle Finnegan and Carl Edwards Jr. unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Finnegan | Edwards | Harvey.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Zach Jackson/A.J. Puk (OAK) – Both Jackson and closer Lou Trivino have gone back-to-back, though neither has been particularly busy (Trivino only threw five pitches last night). However, the A’s may choose to rest Trivino with the trade deadline approaching.
2. Diego Castillo (SEA) – Paul Sewald has gone back-to-back, including a 28-pitch outing on Tuesday.
3. Luis Garcia (SD) – Taylor Rogers threw 30 pitches last night.
4. Michael Fulmer (DET) – Gregory Soto threw 26 pitches over 1.2 innings last night.
5. Emilio Pagan/Griffin Jax (MIN) – Jhoan Duran threw 32 pitches yesterday while Pagan had a 20-pitch outing.
6. Kendall Graveman/Joe Kelly (CHW) – Liam Hendriks has gone in three of four, including a 27-pitch performance last night. Graveman has also gone in three of four, though he needed just 11 pitches on Tuesday. Kelly is more rested but did throw 20 pitches yesterday.
7. Seth Lugo (NYM) – Edwin Diaz has gone in three of four, including a 23-pitch, four-out save last night. The Mets are off on Thursday, though, so they may send Diaz back out there tonight. Adam Ottavino threw 30 pitches yesterday and should be unavailable.
Tomorrow
1. Felix Bautista (BAL) – If Jorge Lopez pitches today, it’s two straight.
2. Garrett Whitlock/John Schreiber (BOS) – Same for Tanner Houck.