Jeanmar Gomez records save while Carlos Torres blows vulture save chance

June 4, 2017

Philadelphia Phillies – Jeanmar Gomez came in to clean up Hector Neris’ mess in the ninth inning yesterday and retired the only batter he faced for his second save of the season.  Joaquin Benoit has been placed on the disabled list with a sore left knee.  Pat Neshek struck out the side in the eighth inning on Saturday and should take over the set-up duties and could occasionally see save opportunities while Benoit is out.

Updated hierarchy: *Neris | Neshek | Gomez.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers – Carlos Torres was the only pitcher on the Vulture Save Watch for Saturday, and if you picked him up, you were probably pretty excited when the ninth inning started yesterday.  Five runs later (four earned), you were probably cursing the monkey for ruining your ERA for the day.  As we’ve said before, we can predict vulture saves, but we can’t convert them.

Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Barnes | Torres.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Arodys Vizcaino/Jose Ramirez – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight, including a two inning appearance yesterday. Vizcaino and Ramirez have also both pitched in two straight, but they have both thrown less pitches than Johnson so one could be available if there is a save opportunity on Sunday.
2. Pedro Baez – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight, including a two inning outing on Friday where he threw 33 pitches.
3. C.J. Edwards – Wade Davis has gone in two straight and has only gone in three straight once this season so he could get the day off Sunday.

Monday
1. C.J. Edwards – If Wade Davis pitches today, he will certainly get Monday off.
2. Will Harris – Ken Giles has pitched in two straight so if he pitches Sunday, Harris would be used as the closer on Monday..
3. Michael Lorenzen – If Raisel Iglesias pitches on Sunday, that will be three in a row.

Huston Street faces a rehab setback; Sam Dyson to be traded or released

June 3, 2017

Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street’s rehab is on hold after he experienced tightness in his triceps. The more time Street misses, the harder it might be for him to reclaim the closer role from surprising Bud Norris. Meanwhile, Cam Bedrosian pitched a rehab inning for the Inland Empire 66ers, striking out one and giving up two runs. But we’re burying the lede: easily the most interesting thing to happen in the world of bullpens last night was Blake Parker’s decisive victory (six pounds to four!) in the Angels’ annual cow-milking contest.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hernandez | Parker.

Miami Marlins — David Phelps’s scoreless eighth inning on Friday was his 17th straight appearance without allowing an earned run. While Kyle Barraclough hasn’t been awful, Phelps has earned the primary setup role.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Phelps | Barraclough.

Texas Rangers — The Rangers will have 10 days to trade or release former closer (and World Baseball Classic star) Sam Dyson after designating him for assignment on Friday. Dyson still has great stuff and a team-friendly contract, but he’ll likely be a few months away from a save opportunity wherever he ends up.

Hierarchy remains: Bush | Kela | Claudio.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Carlos Torres — Corey Knebel has pitched in back-to-back games and three of four, including a blown save last night. Jacob Barnes has appeared in the same games, leaving Torres comparatively well-rested.

Sunday:
1. Pedro Baez/Josh Fields — Kenley Jansen threw 34 pitches over two innings on Friday. If he goes again on Saturday, he’ll get Sunday off.
2. Joe Smith/Ryan Tepera — If any of the Toronto hierarchy pitches today, it will be two in a row and four of the last five. Expect anyone who goes this afternoon to be rested on Sunday.
3. Archie Bradley — An appearance by Fernando Rodney will be his third in four games.
4. Trevor Rosenthal/Kevin Siegrist — Same for Seung Hwan Oh.

Jake McGee continues impressive run; John Axford does exact opposite

June 2, 2017

Colorado Rockies — Former closer Jake McGee has been really impressive lately, having not allowed a run since May 12 or a walk since May 4 (1.66 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 30 Ks). He picked up his fourth hold Thursday, pitching the eighth inning in Adam Ottavino’s absence. He’ll likely get any save opportunity when closer Greg Holland is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | McGee | Rusin.

Oakland A’s — Since coming off the disabled list, John Axford has pitched in five games (all Oakland losses) and allowed seven runs (6 ER) on three walks and four strikeouts (11.57 ERA, 2.57 WHIP), including Thursday’s disastrous outing in which he allowed three runs (2 ER) in just one-third of an inning to put a 5-1 deficit out of reach. He’s probably a long way from closing, even in a pinch. This brings us to Sean Doolittle, who will start a rehab assignment Friday. For now, we like Aussie Liam Hendriks (3.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, four holds) to take Axford’s spot in the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Madson | Hendriks.

Arizona Diamondbacks — It’s time for a status check on the game’s oldest closer, 40-year-old Fernando Rodney. Don’t look now, but Rodney did not allow an earned run in May and continued that streak on the first day of June, picking up his 14th save. It wasn’t all good – the one unearned run he allowed in that stretch came in Wednesday’s ninth inning, giving him his third blown save. Either way, his overall numbers are ugly (6.10 ERA, 1.45 WHIP), but he’s hot and worth a look if he’s still available in your league.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Bradley | Hoover.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Trevor Rosenthal — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in two straight, throwing 40 pitches. He has not pitched in three straight games yet this season. Rosenthal, however, is pretty well-rested.

Saturday:
1. Archie Bradley/JJ Hoover — Fernando Rodney has appeared in two straight days (38 pitches), and might pitch Friday if needed (he has gone in three straight once this season). This is assuming Archie Bradley gets a break Friday, as he has been busy himself (three of four heading into Friday with 50 pitches). A rest Friday would make Bradley available Saturday. However, if both need a rest, JJ Hoover is next up.

Brandon Maurer converts his third straight save for the Padres

June 1, 2017

San Diego Padres — Brandon Maurer’s third straight save — against the heart of the Cubs’ order in a one-run game — is enough to get him back atop the Padres’ committee, for now.

Updated hierarchy: *Maurer | Hand | Buchter.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins — After a really rough week (four appearances, 3 IP, 8 ER), Ryan Pressly will get some time to kick back and enjoy the wall-to-wall excitement that is Rochester, NY. While Tyler Duffey or Matt Belisle inherits the seventh inning for the boring ol’ Twins, Pressly can fill his belly at the Greek Festival, savor the beauty of the Fairport Canal Days, and — if he’s really feeling frisky — take in a lecture at the Genesee Valley QuiltFest. Rochester: Limitless — just like an ERA!

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Rogers | Duffey.

Texas Rangers — After Alex Claudio gave the Rangers two solid innings in a tight game, Matt Bush reminded us he’s human by blowing a save. Now it’s a tied game in the tenth: you be the skipper! Your options are Tony Barnette, Sam Dyson, bringing Bush out for a second inning, or having Pete Kozma pitch. Got your answer locked in? Did you choose Dyson? Of course not!! But Jeff Banister did, so two home runs later, Tampa Bay had the win. If you started Dyson on your fantasy team tonight, email a screenshot to [email protected] and we’ll apologize for being rude to your son.

Updated hierarchy: Bush | Kela | Claudio.

New York Mets — A lengthy suspension is expected for longtime mascot Mr. Met, who broke his 53-year streak as the only person in baseball who hadn’t flipped off a Mets fan. Although his wife and understudy Mrs. Met is expected to move directly into the main role, it’s possible she could join a committee with ex-mascot Mettle the Mule and Bobby Bonilla, who might as well earn that perpetual paycheck with a few bat races.

Mascot hierarchy: Mrs. Met | Mettle the Mule | Bonilla.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Matt Barnes — Craig Kimbrel threw 27 pitches in a four-out save on Tuesday and got another save on Wednesday. He’s amazing, but might need a night off.

Friday:
1. Joe Smith/Ryan Tepera — Roberto Osuna and Smith have each gone in two straight.