August 21, 2018
Tampa Bay Rays – With a 1-run lead in the 9th inning, the Rays went to Jose Alvarado, who converted for his 5th save. This could have been a matchup play — lefty Lucas Duda led off the inning, and two of the three hitters that followed had worse splits against lefties than righties — as there was no indication that Sergio Romo was unavailable. We’ll continue to watch to see how this situation unfolds; if the Rays do this again, we’ll move them back to committee status.
Hierarchy remains: Romo | Alvardo | Roe.
Atlanta Braves – AJ Minter is nursing a sore back, which may be an explanation for his poor outing earlier this week. The Braves hope to have him back in a few days. In the meantime yesterday, Brad Brach and Jesse Biddle shared the 7th, Jonny Venters got the 8th, and Dan Winkler nailed down the save. We’ll monitor this situation in case Minter needs a quick trip to the DL.
Updated hierarchy: Minter | Winkler | Brach.
Milwaukee Brewers – Josh Hader pitched two more dominant innings, but this time it was the 7th and 8th, while Jeremy Jeffress got the 9th . Jeffress ran into a spot of trouble, but was able to get Scooter Gennett to ground into the game-ending double play. Both guys have been fantastic this season and will continue to see most of the save opportunities in Milwaukee.
Hierarchy remains: *Hader | Jeffress | Burnes.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – Edwin Diaz continued his chase of history, recording his 48 th save in dominant fashion. The outing tied him with Fernando Rodney for most saves in a season in Mariners history, and he became the second-youngest player to ever record 100 saves in their career; he’s also got 107 Ks in 62 innings, for a ridiculous K/9 rate of 15.5. Diaz would need to save 15 of Seattle’s final 36 games to break the MLB saves record.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Colome | Vincent.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen made his return from the disabled list yesterday, and promptly allowed two solo home runs in a game the Dodgers were already losing. But it was good to see him back so soon, and we have every reason to think he’ll be fine from here on out.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Alexander | Maeda.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Corbin Burnes/Corey Knebel – Both Josh Hader and Jeremy Jeffress have pitched 3 innings over the last two days.
2. Brad Brach/Jonny Venters – AJ Minter is hurting, and Dan Winkler has pitched three straight.
Tomorrow
1. Alex Colome – If Edwin Diaz pitches tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.