September 6, 2020
San Francisco Giants – Tony Watson and his 0.75 ERA finally recorded his first save of the season with a perfect 9th inning yesterday. Rogers got the 8th inning ahead of Watson and struggled, while Sam Coonrod came on in the 5th. Watson is the Giants’ best reliever and that combined with a converted save is enough to move to the top of this committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Watson | Rogers| Coonrod .
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels — We mentioned yesterday that Felix Pena could possibly replace Ty Buttrey as the Angels’ closer and sure enough, in game 1 of the doubleheader with the Angels protecting a 1 run lead, out came Pena came for the save. Unfortunately for any fantasy owners that picked up Pena, he couldn’t get the job down. He gave up 3 runs on 4 hits (two of them for extra bases) but did end up with a win after the Angels rallied in the bottom of the inning. In the second game of the doubleheader, the Angels again found themselves up 1 heading into the last inning and this time Buttrey was summoned from the bullpen. Buttrey responded with a perfect inning to record the save. Manager Joe Maddon said that he would use both Buttrey and Pena late in games and we give Buttrey the edge for now based on his success yesterday.
Hierarchy remains: Buttrey | Pena | Bedrosian.
* = closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies – Daniel Bard struck out a pair in a scoreless inning yesterday to pick up his 5th save of the season. Bard has now recorded the last two Rockies’ saves and four of the last five and that is enough to kick the committee tag.
Hierarchy remains: Bard | Estevez | Givens.
Detroit Tigers – A day after replacing Gregory Soto in the 7th inning (final inning of the doubleheader) after Soto struggled in a save opportunity, Jose Cisnero got his own save chance. Unfortunately, he could not get the job done and ended up blowing the save and taking the loss. If Cisnero had converted, he would have moved to the head of the committee but for now, we will slide him up one spot. This is still very much of a committee and Buck Farmer could get another shot after Soto and Cisnero failed to convert on their most recent chance.
Updated hierarchy: *Soto | Cisnero| Farmer.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Yoshihisa Hirano was unavailable last night, and the Mariners went with Yohan Ramirez in his absence. Ramirez gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, but he settled down to get the next three batters in order to pick up his second save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Hirano | Ramirez | Misiewicz.
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals activated Andrew Miller and immediately used him to finish off a four-run victory in the second game of their doubleheader. Miller should jump right back into his late-inning role for the Cardinals’ bullpen.
Updated hierarchy: *Gallegos | Miller | Gant.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Evan Marshall – Alex Colome has gone in two straight, including a 40 pitch outing on Friday.
2. Felix Pena/Hansel Robles – Ty Buttrey has gone in two straight and three of four. Pena may get another shot today but he has gone in three of four. Cam Bedrosian went 2.1 innings yesterday and that could mean Hansel Robles gets a chance today.
3. Brad Brach/Insert Random Mets’ Reliever here – Edwin Diaz, Justin Wilson, Miguel Castro, and Jeurys Familia have all been very busy recently so if the Mets have a save opp today they will either have to use one of these tired relievers or go deep.
4. Rafael Dolis – Anthony Bass has pitched in two straight and three of four.
5. Ryan Brasier – Matt Barnes got yesterday off but pitched the previous three so he could get another day off.
Monday
1. James Karinchak – Brad Hand threw 21 pitches yesterday and would likely get Monday off if he pitches again today.
2. Blake Treinen – If Kenley Jansen pitches today, it will be two of three, and four of six.
3. Zach Britton – If Aroldis Chapman pitches today, it will be three of four.