May 4, 2019
Philadelphia Phillies — Hector Neris closed out a two-run game to pick up his fifth save. Neris is the only Phillies pitcher to record a save since Jared Eickhoff’s four scoreless innings on April 16, and has been the clear choice for Gabe Kapler when available. Pat Neshek pitched the eighth, and has found the late innings more often than Seranthony Dominguez recently, so he’ll take over at first in line. Neris might still fall prey to the “relief ace” role a bit, but until somebody else gets a clear save chance, it’s time to kick the asterisk.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Neshek | Dominguez.
Texas Rangers — Those tracking the Rangers’ committee situation should know that in a scoreless game, Chris Martin got the ninth and struck out the side around two singles. Shawn Kelley followed in the tenth and worked around a leadoff walk. Nothing clear yet. Texas ultimately fell in the twelfth with Ariel Jurado on the mound.
Hierarchy remains: *Martin | Kelley | Leclerc.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — For the second straight game, Joe Jimenez pitched a perfect eighth inning ahead of Shane Greene; a rested Victor Alcantara did not pitch last night. Jimenez has been better over the past couple weeks, and seems to have returned to the primary setup role for the Tigers.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Alcantara.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Archie Bradley/Yoshihisa Hirano — Greg Holland has pitched in three of four and four of six; Bradley has also gone in two of three.
2. Ian Kennedy — Wily Peralta has pitched in back-to-back games and hasn’t been terribly effective.
3. Jeremy Jeffress — Josh Hader threw 36 pitches over two innings last night, while Jeffress was rested.
4. Joe Biagini — Ken Giles has pitched back-to-back games, but he’s managed to keep his pitch count low. If he needs a rest today, Biagini would likely get the call.
Sunday:
1. Pat Neshek — If Hector Neris pitches Saturday, that will be four out of five.
2. Reyes Moronta/Mark Melancon — Today would be back to back and three out of four for Will Smith and Moronta. Mark Melancon threw 31 pitches last night, and will probably get today off, so if both Smith and Moronta go today, Melancon will be the best-rested option on Sunday.
