April 1, 2019
Baltimore Orioles – Mychal Givens worked in and out of trouble in the 8th, and seemed headed toward a two-inning save after retiring the first two hitters in the 9th. But after a walk and two singles, Paul Fry was summoned to get the game’s final out. Brandon Hyde said before the game that he wouldn’t be using a traditional closer, though it seems Givens will get the ball in big spots most of the time. We’ll leave him at the top of the hierarchy, but are going to take Hyde at his word for the time being — this one’s a committee now.
Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Bleier | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – The first save chance of the Marlins’ season went to Wei-Yin Chen, but the lefty immediately put two runners on base before giving way to Sergio Romo, who locked down the save. This one seemed matchup based, as Chen faced two lefties to start the inning, and there’s still no odds-on favorite for a save in Miami on any given night.
Hierarchy remains: *Romo | Steckenrider | Conley.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays – Jose Alvarado got the afternoon off after pitching two days in a row, allowing Diego Castillo to nab his first save of the season. We still expect Alvarado to get most of the save chances here.
Hierarchy remains: Alvarado | Roe | Castillo.
Chicago White Sox – Alex Colome got his first save of the season, and for the second day in a row, it was Kelvin Herrera pitching ahead of him. Herrera seems to be the favorite for the set-up role here, as Nate Jones has been used earlier in games thus far.
Updated hierarchy: Colome | Herrera | Jones.
Seattle Mariners – With Hunter Strickland on the IL, we figured Cory Gearrin would get a save chance or two for the Mariners, and he was indeed summoned for the 9th inning last night, but he responded by walking the bases loaded before getting yanked for Chasen Bradford. Bradford, pitching for the first time all season, managed to record the final two outs and picked up the save. By virtue of success, he enters the hierarchy, though we’d also again remind readers that Anthony Swarzak may be an option when he returns from the IL.
Updated hierarchy: *Gearrin | Bradford | Rosscup.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joakim Soria – Blake Treinen has pitched in back to back and three of four.
2. Tim Mayza/Daniel Hudson – Ken Giles and Joe Biagini have both pitched back to back and three of four.
3. Chris Martin – Jose Leclerc has pitched 2.1 innings over the past two days.
Tomorrow
1. Craig Stammen – If Kirby Yates goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
2. Joe Kelly – If Kenley Jansen goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
