August 24, 2016
Kansas City Royals – The Royals’ bullpen is on fire right now, having thrown a club record 32 scoreless innings. A big part of that has been rookie southpaw Matt Strahm, who has compiled a streak of nine straight scoreless innings. That included a clean seventh inning on Tuesday, which lowered his ERA to 0.96. He has also struck out 17 of the 35 batters he has faced, and while Strahm still may end up in the starting rotation next season, for now he’s an important piece of a red-hot ‘pen.
Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Soria | Strahm.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Jake Barrett had another rough outing Tuesday, allowing three runs in the eighth to turn a 4-3 lead into a 6-4 deficit. Barrett said he has been dragging, and a busy August may have a lot to do with that. This is good news for Enrique Burgos, who likely would have had the ninth last night and should continue to have the edge over Barrett for future save opportunities.
Hierarchy remains: *Burgos | Barrett | Hudson.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Tuesday’s Vulture Save Watch listed just one name, Corey Knebel, and it was indeed a correct prediction. Knebel collected his first career save while Tyler Thornburg rested after throwing three innings over the last two days.
Hierarchy remains: Thornburg | Knebel | Torres.
Baltimore Orioles – Vance Worley didn’t join Knebel on the Vulture Save Watch, but he too picked up his first career save after pitching the final three innings in an 8-1 Baltimore victory. Worley does not factor into the Orioles’ usual late-inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Britton | Brach | Givens.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Robert Carroll, Goodlettsville, Tennessee – While the Southeast squad in the Little League World Series appears to be in a committee, Carroll picked up an extra-inning save last night and could see another save chance in today’s elimination game.
