April 11, 2015
Tampa Bay Rays — Grant Balfour entered in the fifth inning of Friday’s game with the Rays down seven, a solid indication that he’s not the first choice for high-leverage setup work in Tampa. Kevin Cash has also shown no indication that he’s using a closer committee, with Brad Boxberger getting enough endgame opportunities to shed his asterisk. Boxberger should have another three weeks in the role before Jake McGee returns.
Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Jepsen | Balfour.
Kansas City Royals — After initially saying that Greg Holland would be available, Ned Yost changed his mind and said that “common sense” dictated that Holland not pitch on three straight days so early in the season. Pitching coach Dave Eiland was apparently behind the decision. In Holland’s absence, Wade Davis struck out the side to earn an early vulture save.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.
Miami Marlins — It’s been a rough start to the season for Steve Cishek; the sidearmer gave up four runs in a Tuesday blowout, then blew Friday’s save in an outing that nonetheless brought his ERA back under 100. After the game, Cishek speculated that the team’s struggles may have been the result of “Zombie Night,” although the last time we checked, Kevin Gregg was pitching for Cincinnati.
Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Dunn | Ramos.
Minnesota Twins — Lefty Brian Duensing came on to face a lefty to close the eighth, with Minnesota up three runs. When the Twins scored three more in the top half of the ninth, he stayed on to finish the game, earning an unusual save.
Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Fien | Duensing.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman has pitched on three straight days, and four of the last five.
2. Kevin Jepsen, Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger has pitched on three of the last four days.
3. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees — This is a committee anyway — one that seems to be leaning in Miller’s direction — and Dellin Betances threw 25 pitches Friday and 32 on Wednesday.
