September 10, 2016
San Francisco Giants — Turns out Bruce Bochy wasn’t kidding when he said that the Giants’ new closer committee could include the struggling Santiago Casilla — it was Casilla himself who got the very first save chance, in the tenth inning of Friday’s game. Casilla blew the save when Jake Lamb hit his third home run in three at-bats against the righty this season, and Bochy admitted Casilla probably won’t get the next opportunity: “I’ve touched that hot stove enough.” The Giants took the lead in the twelfth, and Cory Gearrin wound up with a unique save that saw him retire a batter, move to left field, then return to the mound. San Francisco has no shortage of save options: Derek Law probably has the inside track when he returns from the DL early next week, but other qualified candidates include lefties Will Smith and Javier Lopez, ex-closers Sergio Romo and Joe Nathan, and eternal closer-in-waiting Hunter Strickland. Or Bochy could grab that stove again.
Updated hierarchy: *Romo | Nathan | Strickland.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins — Fernando Rodney has struggled recently as head of the Miami committee, giving up six runs over four September appearances. On Friday, he gave up a leadoff homer and two singles before being pulled with no outs — but A.J. Ramos came in and set down three straight to record the save. We think Ramos is back ahead in the Miami ‘pen.
Updated hierarchy: *Ramos | Rodney | Barraclough.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — Matt Bush picked up a win last night after recording the last out of the seventh and staying on for the eighth. Bush has been getting eighth innings ahead of Sam Dyson lately, while Jake Diekman has struggled mightily in three September appearances (45.00 ERA, 7.00 WHIP). Keone Kela has looked good lately and could pass Diekman soon.
Updated hierarchy: Dyson | Bush | Diekman.
Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon looked solid in a high-leverage eighth-inning hold Friday night, and should see vulture save chances over young C.J. Edwards going forward.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Rondon | Edwards.
Minnesota Twins — Trevor May returned from the DL on Friday, but because he didn’t get the benefit of any minor league rehab appearances, he isn’t expected to get any high-leverage use right away.
Hierarchy remains: Kintzler | Pressly | Rogers.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Andrew Miller, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen has pitched in three straight and Miller got last night off.
2. Felipe Rivero, Pittsburgh Pirates — Tony Watson has pitched in four of five, and Neftali Feliz is still out.
3. Steve Cishek/Nick Vincent, Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz has gone in three straight, and Cishek has pitched in three of four himself.
4. Fernando Salas, New York Mets — The Mets may well keep riding their workhorse Jeurys Familia, but both he and Addison Reed have pitched in three of four and five of seven.
