June 30, 2017
Washington Nationals – As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Matt Albers and Enny Romero each enjoyed an off day. They had good seats to watch Blake Treinen fall behind all seven hitters he faced in the ninth inning en route to blowing a two-run lead. While the Nats are probably still a couple weeks out from going after some legitimate help, they did continue to rummage through MLB’s version of Building 19 and signed Kevin Jepsen to a minor league deal. Because you can never have too many mediocre former closers in the system.
Hierarchy remains: *Albers | Romero | Turner.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon Morrow has gone back and forth between the minors and the big leagues, but since first arriving in Los Angeles in late May, he’s quietly allowed zero runs while amassing 14 Ks and just one walk in 11.2 innings of work. That includes a pair of strikeouts on Thursday to help the Dodgers escape an eighth-inning, bases-loaded jam with their four-run lead in tact. Don’t be surprised if Morrow begins to see some more high-leverage work.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Morrow.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Andrew Miller/Boone Logan — This would be a long shot. Cody Allen should be available after he got a much-needed day off on Thursday after pitching in three straight and four of five. However, if Cleveland has a comfortable three-run lead in the ninth, Terry Francona may opt to rest Allen again. He may also give some time off to Andrew Miller (two straight) and Bryan Shaw (three of four) if at all possible.
Saturday:
1. Pedro Baez — Kenley Jansen needed just 11 pitches for a four-out save on Thursday, but a lengthy outing on Friday may lead to an off day on Saturday.
2. Darren O’Day — If Brad Brach pitches on Friday that will be his third appearance in four days.
3. Juan Nicasio/Daniel Hudson — Same for Felipe Rivero, though unlike Brach, Rivero rested Thursday.
