August 19, 2022
Texas Rangers — Matt Moore was activated Thursday from his one-day stay on the bereavement list, which followed his time on the paternity list. As we told you yesterday, mom and baby are doing fine, so don’t worry, but it’s likely everyone is a bit tired. That didn’t seem to affect Moore, who appeared in his first game back and tossed a scoreless inning with a walk and two strikeouts. We’ll add Moore back to the hierarchy, but remove Brock Burke and leave Jose Leclerc. Burke has been excellent (1.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 69 strikeouts but no saves), but there are a lot of interesting names at the back end for Texas (including Joe Barlow, too, who might be fourth in line).
Updated hierarchy: Hernandez | Moore | Leclerc.
San Diego Padres – Where has Josh Hader been? The all-star closer acquired in a shocking deal at the deadline appeared in a game Thursday for the first time in NINE days. He wasn’t very sharp, allowing two inherited runners to score in a tie game in the ninth inning, handing the loss to starter Yu Darvish. His previous appearance was a bit of a meltdown, in which he allowed three runs while trying to protect a three-run lead to blow the save Aug. 9. He still does not have a save for San Diego (though he does have a win) and currently holds an 8.10 ERA with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts in his 3.1 IP with the Padres.
Hierarchy remains: Hader | Garcia | Martinez.
Washington Nationals — Carl Edwards Jr. tossed a clean eighth inning Thursday ahead of Kyle Finnegan, who pitched a clean ninth inning to earn his sixth save. There is some evidence that manager Dave Martinez will play the matchups with these two, but they don’t win often enough for us to get a clear read on the situation yet, so given Thursday’s result we’ll continue to leave Finnegan up top.
Hierarchy remains: Finnegan | Edwards | Harvey.
Chicago Cubs – Rowan Wick was unavailable Thursday after pitching in back-to-back days, leading Brandon Hughes to get the save for the Cubs. But… you already knew this would occur, faithful Vulture Save Watch follower.
Hierarchy remains: Wick | Hughes | Uelmen
Pittsburgh Pirates — In winning 8-2 Thursday, Pittsburgh finally stuck it to Red Sox broadcaster Dennis Eckersley, who drew the ire of Pirates players, including current closer Wil Crowe, when he called the team a “hodgepodge of nothingness” this week. Eckersley, who would have been a Closer Monkey mainstay in his heyday as a Hall of Fame closer if we were around and, well, if the Internet had existed, wasn’t necessarily wrong (especially in reference to the lineup and starting rotation), but we’re bullpen-obsessed so it’s worth mentioning the Pirates bullpen has had interesting, fantasy-relevant pieces over the years and currently boasts a top young closer in David Bednar, though he is currently hurt.
Hierarchy remains: Crowe | Underwood | Holderman.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Hunter Harvey (WAS) – Carl Edwards Jr. and Kyle Finnegan have each gone in three of four and four of six.
Saturday:
1. Taylor Rogers (MIL) – A Friday appearance would be three of four for Devin Williams.
2. Brandon Hughes (CHC) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of four for Rowan Wick.
3. Evan Phillips (LAD) – If Craig Kimbrel appears Friday, that would be three of four and four of six for him.
4. Colin Poche (TB) – An appearance Friday would be four of six for Jason Adam, though he did not pitch Wednesday or Thursday.
5. Kendall Graveman (CHW) – An appearance Friday would be three of five for Liam Hendriks, who had off-days Wednesday and Thursday.
6. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – The Mets have a doubleheader…
7. David Robertson (PHI) – … against the Phillies.