August 27, 2017
Colorado Rockies — Greg Holland entered the ninth inning last night trying to protect a three run lead. He recorded only one out, while giving up a two runs on three hits. Jake McGee replaced Holland and got a double play to end the game. Holland’s month of August has been atrocious. His ERA for the month is 15.12, and he has three blown saves (plus he was on his way to a fourth blown save last night). Bud Black said after the game that they would talk about replacing Holland in the closer’s role, but no changes have been confirmed yet. Given how bad he has been this month, we figure the Rockies have to back off Holland, at least temporarily. We will slap the committee on there for now, and slide McGee up to first in line with the thought that the Rockies might keep Neshek in his eighth inning role like the Phillies did earlier this season. If anything more definitive is announced today, we will be sure to let you know.
Updated hierarchy: *Holland | McGee | Neshek.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels — After the Angels scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth, it was Blake Parker who got the call in the ninth inning. Parker pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save. Although it was his second save of the season, it was the first time that he had a traditional save by starting the ninth inning in a save situation. Parker has been arguably the Angels best reliever all season, yet he continued to get passed up on save chances until last night. Cam Bedrosian pitched on Friday, and has only pitched in back-to-back games once in August, so we won’t remove him from the top of the hierarchy, but we will slide Parker to first in line.
Updated hierarchy: *Bedrosian | Parker | Norris.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s — Chris Hatcher has been busy since making his debut for the A’s on August 16th. Since then, he has made six appearances, including three holds immediately ahead of closer Blake Treinan. The A’s clearly trust their new bullpen arm, and Hatcher could move ahead of Santiago Casilla as first in line if he keeps pitching well.
Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Casilla | Hatcher.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Archie Bradley – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight, and five of six.
2. David Robertson – Dellin Betances has pitched in three games in a row.
3. Jake McGee/Pat Neshek – Greg Holland has pitched in three of four so even if he isn’t removed from the closer’s role yet, he could get Sunday off.
4. Joe Jimenez/Daniel Stumpf – Shane Greene has recorded two five out saves over the past three days, and Alex Wilson has pitched in three in a row.
Monday
1. Jose Ramirez – if Arodys Vizcaino pitches on Sunday, that will be three in a row.
2. Joe Smith – Cody Allen has gone in two straight.
3. Kirby Yates/Phil Maton – If Brad Hand pitches on Sunday, that will be two in a row and three of four, including a two inning outing on Saturday. Yates and Maton have both been busy themselves so whoever doesn’t pitch on Sunday could have the best chance at a save on Monday.
