May 2, 2016
Kansas City Royals – For the sixth consecutive appearance, Kelvin Herrera finished off the 8th inning for the Royals. And while we’re counting, that’s now 13 straight scoreless outings to start the year for hard-throwing righty (17 Ks in 12.1 IPs). Joakim Soria has the experience, but is off to a rocky start so far, and we now think Herrera will get the first nod should anything happen to superstar closer Wade Davis.
Updated hierarchy: Davis | Herrera | Soria.
Philadelphia Phillies – Jeanmar Gomez had pitched in four of the five previous games, so he got the day off on Sunday and Hector Neris picked up his first career save for the surprisingly decent Phillies. Neris remains a good candidate for holds going forward.
Hierarchy remains: Gomez | Neris | Hernandez.
Atlanta Braves – Arodys Vizcaino was forced into action in the 8th inning, and couldn’t hold the lead through the 9th, as the game went to extras. Jason Grilli ended up picking up his second save of the year — Jim Johnson had already pitched early in the game.
Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Johnson | Grilli.
Cincinnati Reds – It continues to be tough to read into a bullpen as messy as this one, but it appeared that the Reds were attempting to bridge the gap to Ross Ohlendorf on Sunday, using Tony Cingrani to start the 7th inning, with Caleb Cotham coming in behind him. Of course, Cingrani and Cotham failed to protect the lead and Ohlendorf had to come in early, with just one out in the 8th, and then when the Reds retook the lead, Ohlendorf gave it right back in the 9th. But still, this might be an indication of the way they want to play it in the future. Speculators should continue to keep an eye out for Blake Wood, who earned the win after posting scoreless 10th and 11th innings.
Updated hierarchy: *Ohlendorf | Cotham | Cingrani.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles – We won’t be convinced of this until it actually happens, but a Baltimore Sun beat writer is speculating that Darren O’Day might not be the man who gets saves in Zach Britton’s absence. Though the article doesn’t quote Buck Showalter, it references 2014, when O’Day was bypassed in favor of Britton after Tommy Hunter was removed from the role — this year, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens, and Dylan Bundy are listed as potential alternatives. Britton is still hoping to avoid the DL, of course, so this may not influence more than a small handful of save opportunities, but if you’ve got roster space, you might consider a flyer on one of these guys.
Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Brach.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton will be out for a little while with an injury.
2. Chad Qualls, Colorado Rockies – Jake McGee has pitched in back to back games, allowing two baserunners each time which has forced him to throw 39 total pitches. Qualls has appeared in both of those games as well, but hasn’t faced the same adversity.
