May 22, 2022
New York Yankees — The Yankees turned the ball over to Clay Holmes to get the last out of the 8th inning, and after throwing just 2 pitches there he stuck around for the 9th with a 2 run lead. He pitched a clean 9th inning for his 4th save on the year, but it is noteworthy that Aroldis Chapman was well rested, having last pitched on Tuesday. The Yankees do have a doubleheader today, so it is possible that they did not want to waste Holmes getting warmed up for just a 2 pitch, 1 out appearance. However, Holmes has been electric this year, only giving up 1 run, and that was on opening day. Meanwhile Chapman has given up a run in his last 4 appearances, but has yet to blow a save on the year. So while Holmes has closed the gap a bit, Chapman is still the closer in New York, but if his struggles start costing the Yankees games they may have an easy plan B.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Holmes | King.
St. Louis Cardinals – As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Giovanny Gallegos was rested yesterday, and the save fell to Ryan Helsley. Helsley set the Pirates down in order, securing his second save on the year. Helsley has been absolutely dominant on the season, but the Cardinals have been committed to Gallegos in the closers role. Gallegos should be back in action today.
Hierarchy remains: Gallegos | Helsley | Cabrera.
Boston Red Sox – Matt Barnes did not take kindly to being dropped from our hierarchy, locking up his second save of the year after the Red Sox took the lead in the 8th inning. Jake Diekman pitched the 6th inning and Hansel Robles took the heart of the order in the 7th. John Schreiber picked up the win pitching the 8th inning, which left the 9th for Barnes. Barnes has had a rough start to the year, so a solid performance in a tight spot may be just the jolt he needs to get back on track. This muddies the late inning waters for the Red Sox though, as nobody seems to be a clear cut leader of this bullpen. The save last night gets Barnes back on the hierarchy, but this is a pure committee and any one of the top 4 arms could be in line for saves.
Updated hierarchy: *Robles | Diekman | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – The Twins scored 4 runs in the top of the 9th inning to take away a save situation, but this update is mostly about 38 year old Joe Smith, who picked up his 8th hold of the year, and 6th of his last 7 appearances. Smith is one of the few relievers who has been pitching as long as Closer Monkey has existed. He has never recorded a ton of saves, but has been a reliable arm over the course of his 18 major league seasons. Now pitching for his 8th team, he has found some magic this year, still holding a 0.00 ERA. Smith probably isn’t a true candidate to close games out, but for the surging Twins he could be a steady source of holds in leagues where that is valuable.
Hierarchy remains: *Pagan | Duran | Duffey.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s – Lou Trivino’s struggles continued last night, as he was brought into the 6th inning of a game the A’s were trailing by 1. In his defense, he was facing the most dangerous hitters on the Angels, but a pair of walks and a pair of hits later and he got pulled with the bases loaded. Jacob Lemoine got a double play to save Trivino’s ERA from further damage, although sitting at 8.00 it is hard to get much worse. The A’s look like they will give him some lower leverage situations to sort himself out, and he’s replaced by A.J. Puk, who has been excellent on the year, only giving up a single run back on April 11.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Acevedo | Puk.
Vulture Save Watch:
- Matt Bush (TEX) – We still haven’t seen Joe Barlow after his finger injury.
- Kendall Graveman (CHW) – The White Sox have a doubleheader today…
- Clay Holmes (NYY) – …against the Yankees, although Aroldis Chapman is well rested.
For Monday:
- Adam Cimber (TOR) – Today would be 3 in a row for Jordan Romano.
- Daniel Hudson (LAD) – Same for Craig Kimbrel
- Rafael Montero (HOU) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Ryan Pressly.
- Ian Kennedy/Joe Mantiply (ARI) – Same for Mark Melancon.
- Luis Garcia (SD) – Same for Taylor Rogers.