April 29, 2017
Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays’ bullpen continues to be a disaster. Presumptive setup man Jason Grilli was brought in with one out in the eighth inning to protect a one-run lead, and immediately gave up the tying homer and a walk. After a strikeout, Grilli was pulled, but took the loss when his runner came around to score, lifting his ERA to an ugly 7.27. With Roberto Osuna also struggling, some think John Gibbons should turn to Joe Biagini. Biagini doesn’t have swing-and-miss stuff, but has a reliable cut fastball, and certainly wouldn’t be the first reliever to lean heavily on a cutter. Don’t be surprised if Biagini starts getting the eighth inning, or even a shot at the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Grilli | Biagini.
Baltimore Orioles — The clock finally struck midnight for Brad Brach, with his first three earned runs of the season coming as part of a massive 10-run Yankee comeback. Orioles fans can be comforted by the imminent return of Zach Britton (Sunday or Tuesday), and cautioned by the two walks and a home run he gave up in last night’s rehab outing against the legendary Akron Rubber Ducks. #AffordableFamilyFun!
Hierarchy remains: Brach | O’Day | Givens.
Minnesota Twins — Brandon Kintzler has been excellent as Minnesota’s closer, but behind him the Twins are searching for consistency. Ryan Pressly got his ERA below 9 on Friday, but it was in the seventh inning of a game his team was losing by two. It appears that Pressly is getting some space to fix his command issues, so look for Taylor Rogers to pick up the slack. He’s something of a lefty specialist, but has five holds already, including the last out of the eighth last night.
Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Belisle | Rogers.
Los Angeles Angels — The Vulture Save Watch correctly predicted that Bud Norris would get a break, but with a three-run lead in the ninth, the Angels decided to use Jose Alvarez against a lefty-heavy lineup. Alvarez is not a typical LOOGY, but he’s the only lefty in the bullpen, so he picks up some matchups. David Hernandez pitched a perfect eighth inning, while Blake Parker was waiting to put out any fires that may have arisen in the ninth. We think it’s still Parker, then Hernandez, behind Norris.
Hierarchy remains: Norris | Parker | Hernandez.
New York Mets — Jeurys Familia pitched himself into trouble in his first save opportunity, loading the bases with three singles, up two in the ninth. Familia did strike out the next batter, but was pulled so lefty Josh Edgin could face Bryce Harper. Edgin got Harper to ground into a 1-2-3 double play, picking up his first save. Familia had a rough outing, but hopefully has worked through the rust.
Hierarchy remains: Familia | Reed | Salas.
Tampa Bay Rays — With both Alex Colome and Danny Farquhar resting, Jumbo Diaz got the call up four in the 9th. After a leadoff double followed by a single and a sacrifice fly, Chase Whitley came in to end the threat. He got the next two outs for his first save of the year. Whitley has been an effective long reliever since his return from Tommy John surgery; going forward, he’s mostly just a threat for three-inning saves.
Hierarchy remains: Colome | Farquhar | Diaz.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Hunter Strickland — Mark Melancon has gone in three straight (4 of 5).
2. Nick Vincent — Edwin Diaz has pitched in three in a row (50 pitches).
3. Darren O’Day — Brach needed 30 pitches last night and has thrown 58 in the last three days.
4. Drew Storen/Michael Lorenzen — Bryan Price has been very committed to not throwing relievers on consecutive days, and Raisel Iglesias pitched last night. It was Iglesias’s first appearance since last Sunday, though, so if there was ever a time to go back-to-back, today would likely be it.
5. Sergio Romo — Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight (3 of 4).
6. Addison Reed — The Mets might go easy on Jeurys Familia as he returns to the closer role.
Sunday
1. Arodys Vizcaino — Jim Johnson has gone in two in a row and might rest if he pitches Saturday.
2. Reed — If Familia does go, he won’t pitch Sunday.
3. Trevor Rosenthal — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched on back-to-back days, including a four-out save last night. Look for him to rest Sunday if he gets another chance tonight.
4. Dellin Betances — Aroldis Chapman has thrown 49 pitches over three days.
5. Andrew Miller — It’s been two of three for Cody Allen.
6. Corey Knebel — Same for Neftali Feliz, who took the loss Friday.
