April 17, 2017
Philadelphia Phillies – Joaquin Benoit allowed his first runs of the season on Sunday, blowing the save when Bryce Harper hit a 3-run walkoff against him in Washington. Benoit had been great to this point, allowing only one hit in five innings previously, but given that the wasn’t the person that most people (including us) thought should replace Jeanmar Gomez, another slip-up could cost him the job.
Hierarchy remains: Benoit | Neris | Ramos.
Milwaukee Brewers – Jacob Barnes picked up his second hold of the season, pitching the seventh inning ahead of Corey Knebel and Neftali Feliz. He’s yet to allow a run through seven appearances this year.
Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Knebel | Barnes.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Felipe Rivero picked up his third consecutive hold on Sunday, his last two coming in the 8th inning. Rivero, who the Nationals viewed as a future closer before swapping him for Mark Melancon last year, has only allowed 1 run through 8 innings this season, along with 7 strikeouts and only 1 walk. He’s been steadier than righty Daniel Hudson, who has allowed runs in three of his last four appearances, though Hudson will continue to get late inning looks when matchups are right.
Updated hierarchy: Watson | Rivero | Hudson.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Converted starter Jorge de la Rosa has been Torey Lovullo’s preferred set-up man over the past week — he’s finished off the 8th inning in two of his last three appearances. Last night, he came on to face Adrian Gonzalez, who represented the tying run, retiring him before giving way to Fernando Rodney.
Updated hierarchy: Rodney | de la Rosa | Hoover.
Texas Rangers – Despite saying that he’d look elsewhere for closing opportunities, Jeff Banister gave Sam Dyson one last shot on Sunday, and Dyson promptly blew the lead and took the loss, with Nelson Cruz’s infield single capping the rally. Dyson should now be out for good, but unfortunately for fantasy owners, there isn’t a ton of clarity elsewhere in the bullpen. We think Matt Bush is the guy to own right now — he’s been nursing a sore shoulder and his availability was questionable even on Sunday, but he pitched nonetheless, striking out the side in the 8th inning, with 10 of his 11 pitches being 97 mph or faster. Jeremy Jeffress, who saved 27 games for the Brewers last year, is another possibility, though he’s never shown the ability to strike out a ton of hitters, and this year is no different (3 Ks in 6.0 IPs). Jose LeClerc got a save five days ago, but has only pitched once since then — a sixth inning appearance where he gave up three hits, a run, two additional inherited runners, and took the loss. And Tony Barnette was being talked about as a potential closer as recently as a few days ago, but he was summoned in the 6th on Sunday and gave up two runs. We don’t expect Banister to publicly name a new closer, so we’ll watch closely to see how things play out tonight in Oakland.
Updated hierarchy: *Bush | Jeffress | LeClerc.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles — Brad Brach should get the Baltimore save chances while Zach Britton spends time on the 10-day DL with soreness in his left forearm. Forearm soreness is never a good thing, as it’s often a precursor to Tommy John, but for their part, the Orioles don’t think it’s anything serious.
Updated hierarchy: Brach | O’Day | Givens.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Heath Hembree – Craig Kimbrel and Matt Barnes have both gone back to back and three of four, and the Red Sox have an 11 a.m. game this morning.
2. Jorge de la Rosa – Fernando Rodney has gone back to back and three of four.
Tuesday
1. Matt Barnes/Heath Hembree – See above… if Kimbrel/Barnes go today then they’ll definitely get Tuesday off.
2. Nate Jones – If David Robertson goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four for him.
3. Dan Altavilla – If Edwin Diaz goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
