July 26, 2017
Chicago White Sox — Hey White Sox fans, did you like that clean, drama-free save from Anthony Swarzak the other night? Too bad! With Swarzak headed up I-94 to Milwaukee, it’s Tyler Clippard time again — or whatever gallimaufry of negative-WAR relievers Rick Renteria has left to compose a committee. For second in line behind Clippard and Dan Jennings right now, we’ll put our marker on Juan Minaya, who’s had some bad luck (.333 BABIP, 13% HR/FB), but boasts the best K-rate of anyone on the current roster of mismatched Sox. Recently signed Danny Farquhar could be in the hierarchy very soon.
Updated hierarchy: *Clippard | Jennings | Minaya.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers — Last season, Anthony Swarzak gave up 10 home runs in 26 appearances for the Yankees, winding up as a nonroster invitee for Chicago in spring training. This season, easily Swarzak’s career-best, the White Sox flipped him to Milwaukee for a 25-year-old outfield prospect. The Brewers will use Swarzak alongside Jacob Barnes to set up Corey Knebel down the stretch, hoping this Cinderella story can keep rolling into the fall.
Updated hierarchy: Knebel | Barnes | Swarzak.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Three scoreless innings from Josh Ravin earned the 29-year-old righty his first save in a tumultuous career. If you can prove he was in your starting lineup for that save, we’ll sign you up for free Closer Monkey Premium!
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Baez | Morrow.
San Francisco Giants — Chris Stratton was called up from AAA Sacramento on Monday and threw 69 pitches in a four-inning save on Tuesday. Chances are he’ll be headed back down on Wednesday.
Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Strickland | Kontos.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brandon Maurer — Kelvin Herrera has gone in three straight and four of five. Joakim Soria has gone in two straight and four of five. Maurer’s first appearance as a Royal could be with a ninth-inning lead.
2. Brett Cecil/Seung Hwan Oh — Trevor Rosenthal threw 34 pitches on Tuesday.
3. Cam Bedrosian — Bud Norris has gone in three of four, including a loss on a walk-off grand slam last night.
4. Bryan Shaw — Both Cody Allen and Andrew Miller have pitched in three of four.
Thursday:
1. Ryan Tepera/Joe Smith — Roberto Osuna has appeared in two straight games. It’s not totally clear whether Tepera or Smith is the best save handcuff and, as a pending free agent, Smith could be pitching for someone else by Thursday anyway.
2. Andrew Miller — If the Indians do use Allen again, he’ll get Thursday afternoon off.
3. Jerry Blevins — Addison Reed has pitched in two straight.
