September 4, 2017
Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera will be out for a few days, and the Royals will mix and match in his absence as they attempt to keep their season alive. On Sunday, that meant a 9th inning opportunity for Brandon Maurer, who converted for his first Kansas City save. Maurer had a rough stretch in early August, but has only allowed one run in his last seven appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Herrera | Maurer | Minor.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Felipe Rivero pitched the ninth inning twice this weekend, and both times, Daniel Hudson got the 8th inning hold ahead of him. With Juan Nicasio gone, Hudson should continue to be a source of holds down the stretch for the Pirates.
Updated hierarchy: Rivero | Hudson | Schugel.
Houston Astros – Chris Devenski got the final six outs of Sunday’s game, earning his fourth save of the year. Ken Giles had pitched two of the last three (3 IP total) so the Astros, sporting an enormous division lead, decided to give him the night off.
Hierarchy remains: Giles | Devenski | Harris.
Texas Rangers – After pitching him for 2.2 IP across two games on Thursday and Friday, the Rangers gave Alex Claudio a second day off on Sunday, and Tony Barnette picked up the save in his absence. Claudio remains the guy that the Rangers will go to in the 9th inning on most nights.
Hierarchy remains: *Claudio | Barnette | Rodriguez.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks – With all of their top arms having pitched two days in a row — and many with a heavy workload all week long — the Diamondbacks sent Jimmie Sherfy in to get them out of an 8th inning jam, and then let the youngster stay on for the 9th, where he converted his first career save. Sherfy has a great name, but doesn’t factor in to Arizona’s usual 9th inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Bradley | Hernandez.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brad Brach – Zach Britton pitched 2 innings last night, and 2 more on Friday.
Tomorrow
1. Daniel Hudson/AJ Schugel – If Felipe Rivero and Daniel Hudson go today, it’ll be three straight. Monitor their usage to see who will be available tomorrow.
2. Kirby Yates – If Brad Hand goes today, it’ll be three straight.