June 22, 2015
Toronto Blue Jays – Brett Cecil owners have had it rough. After going more than a month without so much as a save opportunity, Cecil has gotten a few more high-leverage chances in the past two weeks, and has responded by melting down. He began June with a 2.81 ERA, but after allowing 10 runs in his last six appearances (including a brutal outing yesterday), his ERA has shot to 5.96, and beat writers are speculating about whether he’s already lost his job. Cecil, for his part, thinks the issue might be that he’s tipping pitches, and his middle infielders fell on the sword for yesterday’s disaster, saying they should’ve turned a double play. But regardless of the reason, Roberto Osuna seems like a great add for speculators, while the Jays are also reportedly looking at Francisco Rodriguez.
Hierarchy remains: Cecil | Osuna | Delabar.
Atlanta Braves – Jason Grilli had pitched in back to back games, so the Braves tapped Jim Johnson for the save chance on Sunday. Johnson converted his fourth save of the season, allowing Closer Monkey to brag about the Vulture Save Watch, as is our wont. Behind him, Nick Masset has supplanted Brandon Cunniff for the 2nd in line spot.
Updated hierarchy: Grilli | Johnson | Masset.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Andrew Chafin picked up a three-inning save on Sunday. He does not factor in to Arizona’s usual late-inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Hudson | Reed.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox – David Robertson has pitched in three straight, and Zach Duke has pitched in two straight and five of six.
2. Roberto Osuna, Toronto Blue Jays – Even if he hasn’t lost the job, Brett Cecil threw 33 pitches last night, two days after throwing 32 pitches on Friday. He’ll likely need a night off.
