April 14, 2017
Minnesota Twins — We are offering free Closer Monkey Premium to the first person who sends a screenshot of their fantasy team starting Justin Haley for his beautiful, 3.1 IP save Thursday for the Twins. Email [email protected]. Pics or it didn’t happen!
Hierarchy remains: Kintzler | Pressly | Belisle.
Boston Red Sox – Those in the Boston area have seen milk cartons with Joe Kelly’s mug on the side. Where is he? Manager John Farrell has made it clear he doesn’t trust Kelly in a high-leverage spot (Kelly last pitched earlier this week in a 12-5 loss), opting repeatedly for Heath Hembree in that 7th-inning role (and again on Thursday – 1.2 scoreless innings ahead of Matt Barnes and Craig Kimbrel). Kelly has the better stuff, but his upper-90s fastballs rarely get swings-and-misses, which is an issue for a late-inning reliever.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Barnes | Hembree.
Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera finally picked up his first save of the season Thursday for the three-win Royals. He’s clearly the guy moving forward, but how many chances he gets is a bit up in the air. Peter Moylan, meanwhile, has been impressive, striking out five in 4.2 scoreless innings to start the season.
Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Soria | Moylan.
Los Angeles Angels – Angels reliever JC Ramirez is making a spot start Friday, so for now that takes him out of the late-innings conversation for LAofA. The Angels’ bullpen situation is pretty rough right now, but we think Yusmeiro Petit (1.50 ERA, 7 Ks in 6 IP) may see more high-leverage work in the near future.
Updated hierarchy: Bedrosian | Parker | Petit.
Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon hasn’t really been used much in high-leverage situations this year, and now he’s hurt (no, not just his feelings). He felt a pop in his left knee after a home-plate collision this week, and on Thursday he underwent an MRI, which came back clean. Manager Joe Maddon suspects he’ll be available Saturday. Regardless, he’s still behind Wade Davis, Pedro Strop, Koji Uehara and Carl Edwards Jr., at least, in the Cubs bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Strop | Uehara.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Fernando Salas, New York Mets — If the Mets have two save chances Friday and Saturday, Addison Reed won’t be getting both of them, as Reed has gone in two straight (he threw just 16 pitches over 2 IP Thursday and another 17 pitches Wednesday). Reed will probably pitch if needed Friday, but if not, the Mets could go with Fernando Salas, who has also pitched in two straight. Hansel Robles is definitely out Friday – he has pitched in four straight and five of the last six.
Saturday:
1. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight games, and if he pitches again Friday, he’ll most certainly be out of action for Saturday.
2. Fernando Salas/Hansel Robles, New York Mets — If Salas gets the night off Friday but Reed takes the mound, Salas will get the Saturdaysave chance. If Salas and Reed pitch Friday, we suspect Robles will be rested enough to get the save chance Saturday.
3. Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies — Greg Holland has been dynamite this year (6 saves, 0 ER), but he has been used heavily. If he pitches Friday, that’ll be three games in four days for him, so he would likely be rested Saturday, leaving an opportunity for Adam Ottavino.
