May 6, 2022
Houston Astros – Ryan Pressly returned from a stint on the injured list Thursday and was not effective. He allowed two hits, including a two-run homer, on 21 pitches (just 12 strikes). His ERA sits at 6.23. On the bright side, he did pick up the win on Thursday when Houston rallied in the bottom of the ninth, and the usage suggests he’s back as the team’s closer. But he hasn’t really looked right this year, so this situation is worth monitoring, especially with the way Rafael Montero (0.79 ERA, 0.97 WHIP), Ryne Stanek (2.08 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) and Hector Neris (0.69 ERA, 0.62 WHIP) are pitching.
Updated hierarchy: Pressly | Montero | Stanek.
Tampa Bay Rays – As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Andrew Kittridge was not available on Thursday. Brooks Raley did the honors on Thursday to earn his second save. He’s the third Ray to have a save this season, so by default we will have to sneak him onto this hierarchy, even if it means we have to remove J.P. Feyereisen, who hasn’t allowed an earned run this year.
Updated hierarchy: *Kittredge | Thompson | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — Maybe the Mets aren’t “going to Mets” this year, after all. They’re now 19-9 and completed a furious comeback in the ninth inning Thursday against the Phillies, netting seven runs in the final frame to wipe out a 7-1 deficit. James Norwood was the first reliever to give the Mets a chance in the ninth, allowing an infield single, a homer, a double and a single. He mixed in one out but was pulled for Corey Knebel, who could not stop the bleeding, allowing an infield single, a double a single and another double to cough up the lead and take the ugly loss. He’ll probably need Friday off.
Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Alvarado | Hand.
Seattle Mariners — The Mariners already have a situation in which any of Andres Muñoz, Diego Castillo, Paul Sewald or Drew Steckenrider could earn a save on a given night, but the situation could get even muddier later this summer. Ken Giles is due to eventually return as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, top prospect Matt Brash, who began the season as the team’s fifth starter, was optioned to Triple-A, where he will work exclusively as a reliever in hopes of helping the big club later this season in that capacity. He has the stuff to dominate in the late innings, so this is an interesting development.
Hierarchy remains: *Muñoz | Castillo | Sewald.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Friday:
1. Alex Colome (COL) – Daniel Bard has pitched in two straight.
2. Jose Alvarado (PHI) – Corey Knebel had a disastrous outing Thursday and has pitched in two straight days.
3. Dillon Tate (BAL) – Jorge Lopez is yet another reliever who pitched in his second straight game on Thursday.
4. Michael Fulmer (DET) – We have another one, folks. Gregory Soto has gone in two consecutive days.
5. Steven Wilson (SD) – Yup. Ditto for Taylor Rogers.
Saturday:
1. Ryan Thompson (TB) – A Friday appearance would be four of five for Andrew Kittridge.
2. Drew Smith (NYM) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of four for Edwin Diaz.
3. Rafael Montero (HOU) – Ryan Pressly had a rough outing Thursday and Houston could elect to bring him back slowly. So, if he pitches Friday he almost certainly would be unavailable Saturday.