July 16, 2023
Texas Rangers – Aroldis Chapman struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning and recorded his first save as a Ranger. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Chapman is not the Rangers’ closer but that he and Will Smith will share the duties. We will see if either one can establish himself as the primary closer or if this will be a true committee. On other Rangers’ bullpen news, Josh Sborz was placed on the IL so Brock Burke replaces him on the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: *Smith | Chapman | Burke.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — Pete Fairbanks pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his 10th save of the season. Don’t look now, but since returning from the IL in the middle of June, Pete Fairbanks has recorded all five Rays’ saves. We wouldn’t dare pull the committee tag for the Rays given their history but if this was any other team, the asterisk would be gone. We will see if the Closer Monkey Rays curse continues at the mere mention of removing the asterisk or if Fairbanks can keep this going.
Hierarchy remains: *Fairbanks | Adam | Poche.
*=closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox – Kendall Graveman allowed a run but was able to lock down his 8th save of the season yesterday. Graveman has recorded the last two saves for the White Sox and his 8 saves lead the team. The next closest is Reynaldo Lopez with 4, but he hasn’t recorded a save since the beginning of May so we will kick the asterisk for Graveman. As we mentioned in our Trade Deadline Buy/Sell, Graveman is a trade candidate and Gregory Santos, and his 100 MPH sinker, could be a guy to watch.
Updated hierarchy: Graveman | Santos | Lopez.
New York Yankees — Clay Holmes closed out a 6-3 Yankees’ victory and earned his 11th save of the season. Holmes is the best bet for a save on any given night but that’s not enough to kick the committee tag yet. We will monitor if that changes and Holmes can settle in the role as the primary closer.
Hierarchy remains: *Holmes | Kahnle | King.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – AJ Minter was placed on the IL, but the Braves said it was more as a precautionary move so hopefully he will be able to return as soon as he is eligible. While he is out, Joe Jimenez should see more time in the later innings.
Updated hierarchy: Iglesias | Yates | Jimenez.
Toronto Blue Jays — Jordan Romano was unavailable yesterday and is considered day-to-day. With the top of the order due up in the 8th inning and the Blue Jays clinging to a 3-2 lead, Erik Swanson got the call and pitched a scoreless inning. After the Blue Jays added a couple insurance runs, Yimi Garcia got the 9th inning and also pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his second save of the season. Swanson and Garcia are both options to close if Romano misses more time.
Updated hierarchy: Romano | Swanson | Garcia.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Bryan Baker (BAL) – Felix Bautista and Yennier Cano have both pitched in two straight.
2. Griffin Jax/Emilio Pagan (MIN) – Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax have both pitched in two straight, though Jax only threw 6 pitches yesterday.
3. Bryan Abreu/Ryne Stanek (HOU) – Ryan Pressly has pitched in two straight, including a 32 pitch blown save yesterday. The entire Astros hierarchy has pitched in two straight with Abreu throwing the fewest number of pitches yesterday.
4. Bryse Wilson (MIL) – The entire Brewers’ hierarchy has pitched in two straight.
5. Tyler Rogers (SF) – Camilo Doval has pitched in two straight.
6. Fernando Rodney (TB) – We mentioned a possible end to the Rays’ committee so we fully expect them to go crazy and bring back Fernando Rodney to close out today’s game to really stick it to us.
Monday
1. Jason Foley (DET) – If Alex Lange pitches today, it will be two of three, including a 29 pitch outing on Friday.