Chase Whitley no longer just a long reliever

May 3, 2017

Tampa Bay Rays — Alex Colome made his third appearance in as many days, but it was who pitched in front of him that raised some eyebrows. Erasmo Ramirez, whose last two appearances lasted four and five innings, respectively, and included a start he won, recorded an eighth-inning hold. Meanwhile, usual long reliever Chase Whitley locked down his fourth hold of the year with a strong seventh inning. Prior to Tuesday, Whitley had twice been tasked to get one or two outs as opposed to throwing two or three innings. We’ll move him and his 0.00 ERA into the Tampa hierarchy since it looks like Kevin Cash trusts him in big spots at the moment.

Updated hierarchy: Colome | Farquhar | Whitley.

Houston Astros – After Luke Gregerson allowed two runs without recording an out to begin the ninth inning, Will Harris came on to shut the door for his first save of the year. Ken Giles was rested after pitching in three of the last four games while Chris Devenski tossed 24 pitches on Monday to earn his night off.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Gregerson | Devenski.

Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton was activated from the DL Tuesday and immediately got some work, albeit facing a 5-2 deficit. Despite a walk and a hit, Britton benefitted from a bizarre triple play to get out of the inning.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | Brach | O’Day.

St. Louis Cardinals – Seung Hwan Oh got the night off following a 25-pitch struggle on Monday, paving the way for Trevor Rosenthal to nab his third save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Rosenthal | Bowman.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Wade LeBlanc picked up his third career save in fairly impressive fashion, allowing just one hit over the final three innings of a 12-3 victory.

Hierarchy remains: Watson | Rivero | Nicasio. 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Blake Parker – Bud Norris finally stumbled on Tuesday, throwing 31 pitches in a blown save. He may rest tonight.
2. Danny Farquhar – Alex Colome has made three appearances over the last three days.

Tomorrow
1. JJ Hoover/Jorge de la Rosa – If Fernando Rodney goes today, it will be two straight. Both Hoover and de la Rosa pitched Tuesday, so the most well-rested option will probably get the ninth if Rodney can’t pitch.
2. Brad Brach – If Zach Britton pitches today, it’s unlikely he’ll get a third straight game right after a DL stint.
3. Matt Barnes – Craig Kimbrel will have pitched in two straight games and three of four if he gets the ball today.
4. Justin Wilson/Alex Wilson – K-Rod needed 26 pitches on Tuesday, so if he goes today expect Justin or (if Justin also pitches today) Alex Wilson on Thursday.
5. Ryan Buchter – If Brandon Maurer pitches today, that will be two straight and three of four for him.
6. Danny Farquhar – If Colome gets the ball today for some reason, don’t expect a fifth straight day of work for him Thursday.

Zach Britton returns; Daniel Hudson getting knocked around

May 2, 2017

San Francisco Giants – Mark Melancon got the night off after pitching in four of the previous five games, so late inning duties went to Steven Okert and Derek Law. After Okert navigated the 8th and got the first two hitters in the 9th, Law was summoned to face Yasiel Puig. It was a little surprising to see Law rather than Hunter Strickland, who has yet to allow a run in 10 innings this season, but it worked out for the Giants, as Law struck Puig out to end the game and pick up his first save. We’ll watch for more clues for who Melancon’s handcuff is in the coming days and weeks.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Strickland | Law.

Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton will be activated from the disabled list today. Brad Brach, who picked up five saves in his absence, will slide back to his set-up role alongside Darren O’Day.

Updated hierarchy: Britton | Brach | O’Day.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Clint Hurdle was probably hoping that pushing Daniel Hudson right back out there would be a good way to clear the reliever’s mind after a disastrous outing on Sunday. It didn’t work, though, as Hudson gave up a walkoff double to Billy Hamilton and took the loss. He’s now given up 8 runs in his last three outings (1.2 IP), and it’s likely than Juan Nicasio is used — at least for the time being — when the Pirates need a righty in the late innings.

Updated hierarchy: Watson | Rivero | Nicasio. 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Addison Reed/Hansel Robles – Both Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed have gone in four of the last five. One or both could get the night off.
2. Corey Knebel/Jacob Barnes – Neftali Feliz and Corey Knebel have both pitched in back to back games and three of four. One or both could get the night off.

Tomorrow
1. Danny Farquhar – If Alex Colome goes today, it’ll be three straight.
2. Luke Gregerson – If Ken Giles goes today, it’ll be three straight.
3. Trevor Rosenthal – If Seung-Hwan Oh goes today, it’ll be back to back games; yesterday, he threw 25 pitches over 1.2 innings.
4. Addison Reed/Hansel Robles – See above and monitor who goes tonight for the Mets.
5. Corey Knebel/Jacob Barnes – See above and monitor who goes tonight for the Brewers.

Zach Britton could return today; Luis Avilan getting high-leverage work

May 1, 2017

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles flipped the script last night, using Brad Brach in the 8th and Darren O’Day in the 9th, but the latter didn’t respond particularly well, loading the bases before being lifted for Donnie Hart, who promptly gave up the game-tying single. The team went on to win in extras, though, and Zach Britton could potentially return today, though Buck Showalter isn’t saying for sure yet.

Hierarchy remains: Brach | O’Day | Givens.

Miami Marlins – Kyle Barraclough pitched the top of the 7th in a one-run game before the Marlins blew it open in the bottom half. The outing earned The Claw his 4th hold of the season, tied for the team lead with Brad Ziegler and two ahead of David Phelps, who has struggled to the tune of a 5.79 ERA (and 1.57 WHIP) thus far.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Ziegler | Barraclough.

San Diego Padres – Jose Torres picked up the save in extra innings for the Padres on Sunday; Brandon Maurer, Ryan Buchter, and Brad Hand had already seen action. The Padres have an embarrassment of riches in terms of solid lefthanded relievers, but keep an eye on Torres going forward, as he’s only 23 years old and now has a 0.69 WHIP and 18 Ks through 13 IPs. He’s been a little unlucky in that a huge percentage of the baserunners he’s allowed have gone on to score, which is why his ERA sits at 4.85, but thus far, he hasn’t been used like a LOOGY, pitching effectively against lefties and righties.

Hierarchy remains: Maurer | Buchter | Hand.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Luis Avilan pitched a scoreless 7th inning for the Dodgers on Sunday, wrapping up another solid week for the lefty (3 IPs, 2 holds). Going forward, look for him to continue on in that role, likely sharing the 7th with former Astro Josh Fields, who is also pitching well. Pedro Baez continues to play with fire, walking almost a batter per inning, but he’s been effective and continues to be the most frequently used option in the 8th for the Dodgers. Sergio Romo, meanwhile, has to get things figured out if he wants additional late inning looks — his ERA is still over 9.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Avilan.

Boston Red Sox – Matt Barnes is back, having completed his four-game suspension. Y’all better not even LOOK at Dustin Pedroia the wrong way.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Barnes | Hembree.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jason Grilli – Roberto Osuna and Joe Smith have both gone back to back and three of four.
2. Hunter Strickland – Mark Melancon has pitched in four of the last five.

Tomorrow
1. Pedro Baez – If Kenley Jansen goes today, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
2. Matt Barnes – If Craig Kimbrel goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
3. Dellin Betances – If Aroldis Chapman goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.