Keynan Middleton, Matt Albers now sitting atop their respective committees

April 10, 2018

Los Angeles Angels – With the major caveat that this is Mike Scioscia, recent usage suggests something we’ve alluded to in our last two Angels updates: that Keynan Middleton looks like the guy to own in the Angels bullpen right now. The latest example comes from last night’s game, which played out like this: The Angels were up four runs in the 7th, and they went to Jim Johnson. He gave up a run and Blake Parker started getting loose for the 8th. The Angels tacked on three runs in the top half, turning it into a 6-run game and making it a lower-leverage spot for Parker (who would probably benefit from a few more such outings). Parker pitched a clean 8th and then gave way to Cam Bedrosian in the 9th with the lead still at 6; Bedrosian proceeded to give up a run before closing things out. Inconspicuous in his absence was Middleton, who was never asked to get loose once the game got out of hand. As such, we’re cautiously moving him to the top of the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: *Middleton | Bedrosian | Parker.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers – Matt Albers got the save chance in a 1-run-game last night and blew it, but stayed on for the 10th after the Brewers had regained the lead. Jacob Barnes and Josh Hader had both pitched earlier, so even though Albers didn’t have a perfect outing, the fact that the Brewers held on to win suggests he’s a decent bet for the next opportunity. But should that opportunity come tonight, the veteran may not be available, and if Barnes or someone else converts, then this situation will remain quite clouded going forward. Still, for the time being, we’ll inch Albers to the top.

Updated hierarchy: *Albers | Barnes | Hader.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – Kirby Yates was placed on the disabled list yesterday with a right ankle injury. Holds in this bullpen will likely be few and far between, but look for Jordan Lyles to benefit. Craig Stammen moves up as the likely handcuff Hand-cuff.

Updated hierarchy: Hand | Stammen | Lyles.

Philadelphia Phillies – Hector Neris finally got his first save of the season last night, and for Neris’s second straight appearance, it was Luis Garcia who pitched the 8th before him. He’s the most likely to get a save for the Phillies on nights where Neris is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Neris | Garcia | Morgan.

Cleveland Indians – Andrew Miller picked up his first save of the season yesterday in the Indians 2-0 victory. This isn’t the result of any type of committee taking shape; rather, it’s that Tito Francona has the luxury of two stud relievers, and Allen (4 IPs in previous 5 days), had been used a little more often recently than Miller.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Miller | Goody.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Archie Bradley got his first save of the season last night. Brad Boxberger remains the closer; Arizona is just being cautious about his usage in the early going. Look for Bradley to snag a few more saves now and again as a result.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Bradley | Hirano.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today/tomorrow
1. Sergio Romo – Alex Colome has gone back to back games.

Tomorrow
1. Chris Devenski – If Ken Giles goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
2. AJ Ramos – If Jeurys Familia goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.

 

Santiago Casilla, Justin Grimm among several relievers on the rise

April 9, 2018

Chicago Cubs – CJ Edwards got the 8th inning ahead of Brandon Morrow yesterday afternoon, and with the clean outing, he has now allowed just 1 run in 5 innings (with 9 Ks) to start the season. Edwards looks to be the handcuff thus far, though the Cubs have lots of other relievers that are off to hot starts, including three men who have closed for stints before: Steve Cishek, Pedro Strop, and Justin Wilson. Nice problem to have, huh?

Updated hierarchy: Morrow | Edwards | Cishek.

Kansas City Royals – Justin Grimm threw another scoreless inning last night, and has two eighth inning holds to his name so far this young season. Meanwhile, would-be set-up man Brandon Maurer, who followed Grimm into a tie game last night, had his second consecutive poor performance. Ned Yost insisted afterwards that it’s too early to be dissecting player performance, so instead we’ll just play this one by what’s actually happened so far: Grimm has been setting up and Maurer has not. And the way they’re both pitching, that seems exactly the way it should be.

Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Grimm | Maurer.

Detroit Tigers – With a clean 8th inning last night, 23-year-old Joe Jimenez has opened his season with a 6-appearance scoreless streak. He has been consistently used later in games than Alex Wilson, and is now the likely handcuff for Shane Greene.

Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.

Oakland A’s – Santiago Casilla pitched two scoreless innings last night, and the veteran has still yet to even allow a hit on the season. Casilla and Chris Hatcher appear to be the two most likely candidates to get a save chance on nights when Blake Treinen is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Casilla | Hatcher. 

Houston Astros – Ken Giles got Sunday off after pitching in two straight games, which meant a second save chance for Brad Peacock, who is settling in very nicely to his bullpen role.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Devenski | Peacock.

New York Mets – Jacob Rhame picked up his first career save on Sunday night, pitching a scoreless bottom of the 12th inning after the Mets took the lead. Jeurys Familia threw 1.2 innings on Saturday and was being given the night off.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Ramos | Gsellman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Shawn Kelley – Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson, and Brandon Kintzler have all pitched on back to back nights and three of four. They could all get the night off tonight.
2. Tony Watson – Hunter Strickland has pitched in two straight.
3. CJ Edwards – Brandon Morrow has pitched in two straight.
4. AJ Minter/Jose Ramirez – Arodys Vizcaino has pitched in two straight.

Tomorrow
1. Ryan Tepera/Seung Hwan Oh – If Roberto Osuna goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. Andrew Miller – If Cody Allen goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.

 

Jacob Barnes get first save chance since Knebel injury…and promptly blows it.

April 8, 2018

Milwaukee Brewers — The Brewers had their first save chance since Corey Knebel hit the DL, and Jacob Barnes got the call.  Unfortunately for Brewers’ fans (and fantasy owners who just picked him up), Barnes was unable to convert the save.  He was charged with 4 runs, although only two were earned.  Barnes gave up a couple infield singles and was hurt by an error, so it wasn’t quite as bad as the final line made it look.  Matt Albers and Josh Hader were unavailable, and this will likely continue to be a committee based on matchups and availability.

Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Albers | Hader.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – Bud Norris struck out the side yesterday to record the first save of the season for the Cardinals.  Greg Holland will close as soon as he gets to St. Louis, but Norris was brought in this off-season to help the bullpen and could see a few more save chances before Holland gets called up.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Norris | Hicks.

New York Yankees — David Robertson, not to be confused with INF/P Daniel Robertson, came on in a tight spot in the seventh inning yesterday.  He struck out both batters he faced to protect the Yankees two-run lead.  He also came back out for the eighth and retired the side in order with two more strikeouts.  Robertson had one bad outing this season, but the Yankees still seem to trust him more than Dellin Betances right now.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Robertson | Betances.

Chicago Cubs – It took nine games, but Brandon Morrow finally recorded his first out as a Cub (and also made his first appearance prior to the 17th inning).  Morrow struck out a pair en route to his first save of the season.  There was some concern from Cubs’ fans after Morrow had only thrown two pitches this season, but he looked great on Saturday, hitting 97 mph with his fastball.

Hierarchy remains: Morrow | Cishek | Edwards.

Chicago White Sox – Juan Minaya walked all four batters he faced on Saturday and got sent down after the game.  Veteran Danny Farquhar should take over the seventh inning duties ahead of Nate Jones and Joakim Soria.

Updated hierarchy: *Soria | Jones | Farquhar.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – Kirby Yates left the game after just one pitch last night.  Yates is hoping to avoid a trip to the disabled list, but if he does miss an extended period of time, Kazuhisa Makita could see more time in the later innings.

Hierarchy remains: Hand | Yates | Stammen.

Los Angeles Angels — Blake Parker pitched yesterday with the Angels losing and gave up two runs.  It’s still very early, but Parker’s ERA is over 7.00 and Mike Scioscia is not shy about trying different guys in the ninth inning.  We would not be surprised if Keynan Middleton got the next save chance, but we also wouldn’t be surprised if he still gave Parker a shot (and because it’s Scioscia, I guess we shouldn’t be surprised by whatever happens).  Jim Johnson is another guy who could get a shot as he has pitched well to start the season, while Cam Bedrosian has probably worked himself out of the conversation with an ERA north of 7.00 to start the season.

Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Middleton | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Albers – Jacob Barnes threw 24 pitches in the blown save yesterday so Albers could get the call today.
2. Liam Hendriks – Blake Treinen has pitched in two in a row, including 2 innings yesterday, and thrown a total of 40 pitches.

Monday
1. Chris Devenski – It will be three in a row for Ken Giles if he pitches Sunday
2. AJ Ramos – Jeurys Familia pitched 1.2 innings Saturday so he is needed again on Sunday, he will likely be rested on Monday.
3. Darren O’Day – Brad Brach got Saturday off, but if he pitches Sunday, that will make four of the past five.
4. Jake McGee – If Wade Davis pitches Sunday, that will be two in a row, and four of five.
5. AJ Minter – Arodys Vizcaino threw 23 pitches yesterday and if pitches again on Sunday, he will likely get Monday off.

Jacob Barnes and Matt Albers likely to head new Brewers closer committee

April 7, 2018

Milwaukee Brewers — Before Friday’s game, Craig Counsell announced that Corey Knebel would miss at least six weeks with a hamstring injury, and that the closer role would be filled by a committee of Jacob Barnes, Matt Albers, Jeremy Jeffress, and the newly acquired Dan Jennings. Although Josh Hader has the biggest upside of any arm in the Milwaukee pen, Counsell sees him as too valuable to tie down to the ninth inning — as evidenced by his use last night to put out a fire in the fourth. Albers pitched two clean innings with the game tied, and the Brewers walked off in the bottom of the ninth. We continue to believe that Barnes has the inside track, with the experienced Albers a close second. As a top-shelf lefty, Hader might get some chances too if the matchups are right.
 
Updated hierarchy: *Barnes | Albers | Hader.
* = closer by committee
 
Cleveland Indians — Nick Goody pitched a clean seventh inning ahead of Andrew Miller and Cody Allen to pick up his first hold of the year. This is Goody’s fourth straight scoreless appearance, and as long as he keeps pitching well, he should keep seeing late-inning chances.
 
Updated hierarchy: Allen | Miller | Goody.
 
Los Angeles Angels — After an appearance in the ninth with a four-run lead, speculators are racing to grab Keynan Middleton, hoping Mike Scioscia abandons his committee inclinations and gives the young righty a chance to make the closer job his own. Suuuure, it’s possible Scioscia’s a changed man, wants to settle down — that this time is different — but we’re going to make him prove it first. If you want to take the ride, be our guest. We’ll be here for you when Mike breaks your heart.
 
Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Middleton | Bedrosian.
 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Kirby Yates — Brad Hand has pitched back to back and in three of the last four.
2. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach has pitched in three straight games.
3. Archie Bradley — The Diamondbacks had last night off, but Boxberger has thrown 66 pitches over the past few days.

Sunday:
1. Andrew Miller — If Cody Allen pitches today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. David Robertson/Dellin Betances — The same is true of Aroldis Chapman. Betances has gone in two straight himself (and may be falling behind Robertson anyway).

Corey Knebel heads to DL with hamstring injury

April 6, 2018

Milwaukee Brewers – All-Star closer Corey Knebel collapsed after throwing a pitch in the ninth inning of Thursday’s loss to the Cubs. He suffered a left hamstring injury, though the severity of it won’t be known until he receives the results of a scheduled MRI on Friday. Knebel had allowed two runs with Milwaukee already down 6-0. He hadn’t pitched yet in April, so he was getting some much-needed work to stay fresh. Manager Craig Counsell announced after the game he’d be placed on the DL. We expect a mixture of Jacob Barnes, Josh Hader and maybe Matt Albers to contend for saves in Knebel’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: *Barnes | Hader | Albers.

* = closer by committee

Chicago White Sox – For the third consecutive opportunity, Joakim Soria – and not Nate Jones – got the chance to close out the game. He failed to do so on Thursday, however, allowing three runs in the ninth to tie the game. Jones allowed a run himself in the eighth inning. So what do we make of all this? We’re not removing the committee tag yet, but Soria is likely to continue gathering the bulk of the save chances.

Hierarchy remains: *Soria | Jones | Minaya.
* = closer-by-committee

Detroit Tigers – Joe Jimenez picked up the win yesterday after a fourth straight scoreless appearance. He doesn’t have any holds or strikeouts yet, but he’s only allowed one hit and just two walks in 3.1 IP. Jimenez may continue to see high-leverage opportunities if he continues to pitch well.

Updated hierarchy: Greene | Wilson | Jimenez.

St. Louis Cardinals – Future closer Greg Holland’s debut for the Cardinals organization was a success. He tossed a clean inning Thursday, getting two groundouts and a strikeout on seven pitches (five strikes). He’ll definitely close for the Cardinals, it’s just a matter of when. He could be up within a week or so.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Leone | Hicks.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Kirby Yates — Brad Hand has pitched in two of three, throwing 35 pitches. The workload seems relatively light, but 31 of those pitches came in a blown save on Thursday. Kirby Yates may get a shot today…

Saturday:
1. Kirby Yates — …but if it’s Hand again, he’ll most likely be off on Saturday.
2. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach has pitched in two straight. If he pitches today, he’ll most certainly be off on Saturday.
3. Jake McGee — Wade Davis has gone in two straight (32 pitches). A Friday appearance likely means a different guy gets a shot Saturday.
4. Archie Bradley — The Diamondbacks are off on Friday, but they may elect to rest closer Brad Boxberger on Saturday. Entering today, he has pitched in three of the last four, throwing 66 pitches in that span. Bradley has had a similar workload, but he only tossed five pitches on Thursday.
5. Kevin Jepsen — If Keone Kela pitches Friday, that’ll be two straight and three of four for him.