April 4, 2023
Cincinnati Reds – Alexis Diaz wasn’t available after going two straight, but the Cubs were nonetheless left breaking rocks in the hot sun, as Derek “the” Law came in and won the game for the Reds, allowing two hits as he picked up the save.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Sanmartin | Law.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Colin Holderman has made two appearances thus far, and on both occasions, the 6’7″ righty has gotten an 8th inning hold(erman) ahead of David Bednar. Based on usage thus far, he’s the handcuff in Pittsburgh.
Updated hierarchy: Bendar | Holderman | Crowe.
Detroit Tigers – After an Alex Lange blown save sent the game to extras, the Tigers scored twice in the top of the 11th inning, with Garrett Hill picking up his first career save in the bottom half. Hill, who was used as a swingman in 2022, isn’t cracking the hierarchy yet, but it was a good outing, as he only allowed the automatic runner to score.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Cisnero | Foley.
Atlanta Braves – Raisel Iglesias still isn’t throwing, and while obviously this isn’t the best news for Braves fans or Iglesias owners, the team has deployed the bullpen pretty consistently thus far, including yesterday, when fill-in closer AJ Minter pitched the 9th in a 4-run game.
Hierarchy remains: Minter | Jimenez | McHugh.
Cleveland Guardians – Eli Morgan picked up his first save of the year in extra innings on Monday. He’s likely fourth in the pecking order here, as Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak had both already pitched, while Trevor Stephan was likely unavailable.
Hierarchy remains: Clase | Karinchak | Stephan.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Scott McGough entered the bottom of the 9th with a one-run lead, and two batters later, it was over, as David Dahl and Ha-Seong Kim both took him deep to walk off the game for the Padres. We’ll see if this means Andrew Chafin ascends to the top here.
Hierarchy remains: *McGough | Chafin | Ginkel.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Bryce Wilson got a 3-inning save in a blowout win on Monday. He doesn’t factor in to the usual late inning plans for Milwaukee.
Hierarchy remains: Williams | Bush | Strzelecki.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. James Karinchak – Emmanuel Clase has gone in three of four, including 19 pitches yesterday; he might get the day off today.
2. Jason Foley – Alex Lange has gone back to back and Jose Cisnero threw 23 pitches yesterday.
3. Ryan Tepera – Carlos Estevez has gone back to back and Tepera seems the best-rested option amongst the cadre of set-up men here.
4. Dany Jimenez – Jimenez is the only high-leverage Oakland reliever who didn’t have a long outing yesterday.
5. Kevin Ginkel – Scott McGough and Andrew Chafin have both gone back to back.
Tomorrow
1. Cionel Perez – If Felix Bautista goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Jonathan Loaisiga – Same for Clay Holmes.
3. Joe Jimenez – If AJ Minter goes today, it’s back to back.