June 5, 2022
Boston Red Sox – Tanner Houck pitched a scoreless 8th inning last night and although that may seem meaningless since the Red Sox were up 8-0, it is worth noting that the Red Sox were only up 4-0 when he started warming up. Even more noteworthy is the fact that if the Red Sox had not added on runs in Friday night’s victory, Houck was warming up to come in for the save chance. That is enough to move Houck to the top of this committee but keep in mind that he will often be used for multiple innings so he likely won’t be available for traditional saves as often. That means John Schreiber and Jake Diekman could still be in the mix when Houck is unavailable and this is still a very unpredictable bullpen at this point.
Updated hierarchy: *Houck | Schreiber | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – Raisel Iglesias hasn’t pitched in nine days but there are no injury concerns. The Angels have lost 10 in a row and Iglesias said he doesn’t need to get into a game just to get some work in. Hopefully, for fantasy owners, the Angels can win a game and maybe even give Iglesias a reason to pitch.
Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Tepera | Loup.
St. Louis Cardinals — With a tie score in game two of a doubleheader yesterday, the Cardinals summoned Ryan Helsley in the 6th inning. He got the last two outs of that inning and then came back for scoreless innings in the 7th and 8th. Giovanny Gallegos pitched a scoreless 9th with the game still tied and then finished off the victory in the 10th inning by striking out the side while only allowing the runner who started on second base to score. We will see how the Cardinals continue to deploy Helsley and Gallegos and if either can pull away in the battle for saves.
Hierarchy remains: *Helsley | Gallegos | Cabrera.
* = closer-by-committee
VUlTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jhoan Duran (MIN) – Emilio Pagan is unable to pitch in Toronto.
2. Matt Bush (TEX) – Joe Barlow has pitched in two straight.
3. Victor Arano (WAS) – Tanner Rainey and Kyle Finnegan have both pitched in two straight.
4. Carlos Estevez (COL) – Daniel Bard and Alex Colome have boh pitched in two straight and three of four.
5. Cionel Perez (BAL) – Jorge Lopez has pitched in two of three, throwing a total of 46 pitches. Felix Bautista has pitched in two straight and three of four.
6. Genesis Cabrera (STL) – Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos both worked at least two innings yesterday and both threw 35+ pitches
7. Michael King (NYY) – Clay Holmes has pitched in two of three, throwing a total of 41 pitches.
Monday
1. Luis Garcia/Robert Suarez (SD) – If Taylor Rogers pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four. Same for Luis Garcia.
2. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – If Emmanuel Clase pitches on Sunday, it will be two of three and three of five.