Diamondbacks to discuss how bad Greg Holland is before today’s game

July 27, 2019

Arizona Diamondbacks — Greg Holland’s struggles continued as he blew a save and took the loss last night. This follows a Wednesday outing where he walked the only two hitters he faced, and has led to some speculation that Arizona may either replace him at closer or trade for a more reliable arm. After the game, manager Torey Lovullo indicated that they would make any change in the closer’s spot prior to a game, not in the middle of it. Speaking of which, Lovullo and his staff will discuss Holland’s role prior to today’s game. Holland has three blown saves in July, and with Arizona at a decision point of whether to compete this year or not, Holland may be on thin ice as the closer. Yoshihisa Hirano would be the immediate beneficiary if Holland is removed, but keep an eye on the trade market, as Arizona may find themselves buying before the deadline. 

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Hirano | Lopez.

Texas Rangers – The first save of the Rangers’ committee went to Chris Martin, who closed out a three-run game for his fourth save of the year. Martin looked a bit shaky, giving up a leadoff double and a walk before retiring the next three hitters. Josh Leclerc pitched the eighth ahead of Martin, facing the top of the order. It’s clear that Martin and Leclerc are the top two choices in the Texas bullpen until Shawn Kelley returns, though Martin may get more looks at saves to further boost his value ahead of the deadline.

Hierarchy remains: *C.Martin | Leclerc | B.Martin.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets — A day after Edwin Diaz left the a game with a foot injury, Mickey Callaway decided to give him another night of rest. Instead, Seth Lugo pitched a clean ninth inning for his first save of the year. Diaz’s X-rays came back negative, but in a three-run game the Mets decided not to take a chance with his landing foot. Look for Diaz to be available tonight in perhaps one of his final few outings in a Mets uniform this season.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Familia.

Tampa Bay Rays – True to their form, the Rays are using every reliever everywhere. Diego Castillo served as the opener last night, Chaz Roe locked up his 15th hold and Colin Poche pitched a clean ninth inning in a two-run game to earn his first save of the year. Poche is a strikeout machine whose overall stats have been hampered by some bad luck (0.97 WHIP vs. 6.46 ERA), while Oliver Drake hasn’t pitched since July 20. Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado played catch with no issues and is close to throwing off a mound.

Updated hierarchy: *Pagan | Castillo | Poche.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals — Kyle Barraclough was called up from AA yesterday and immediately found himself in a high-leverage spot. Needing to get just one out in a tie game with runners on first and second, Barraclough immediately threw a wild pitch before giving up a three-run homer to hang Tony Sipp with the loss. Back to Double-A for you, Kyle!

Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Rodney | Suero.

Chicago Cubs — A Holland was on the move yesterday, although it was Derek and not Greg. Derek Holland was traded from the Giants to the Cubs to shore up their left-handed relief options. Holland hasn’t been great this year, but his stats against lefties are solid enough to make him a LOOGY option in Chicago. Holland may be in the mix for holds, but probably won’t be a target for clear save chances unless Joe Maddon gets real cute.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Strop | Kintzler.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Yoshihisa Hirano — Not only has Greg Holland struggled lately, but he’s pitched in three of five.
2. Joe Kelly — Kenley Jansen threw 34 pitches last night and 25 on Thursday, so he will likely get a break tonight. 

Sunday:
1. Jeremy Jeffress — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Josh Hader. 
2. Anthony Bass /Cory Gearrin — The same is true for Roenis Elias and Anthony Bass.
3. Nick Wittgren — Brad Hand was held out of Friday’s game, but he threw 34 pitches on Thursday so a long outing today could earn him Sunday off. 
4. Ty Buttrey/Cam Bedrosian – Hansel Robles was also held out yesterday, but today would make four of five for him. Look for whoever doesn’t pitch today to get any save chance on Sunday. 
5. Andrew Miller/John Gant – Today would be three in a row for the entire St. Louis hierarchy, so expect anyone who rests today to get the ball on Sunday. 

Seth Lugo could be saving games even if Edwin Diaz isn’t traded

July 26, 2019

New York Mets — Edwin Diaz’s rough season continued Thursday when he was struck in the left foot by a line drive off the bat of Manny Machado. X-rays after the game were negative, but for now consider Diaz day to day. If he has to miss any time, we expect Seth Lugo to fill in. 

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Familia.

Baltimore Orioles — For the first time since the invention of the save, a position player has earned one, making a mockery of highly-paid closers and, frankly, rendering this entire website obsolete. Center fielder Stevie Wilkerson and his 55 MPH cheese retired Albert Pujols in the sixteenth inning to do the honors. With an ERA (2.25) more impressive than his batting average (.227), Wilkerson might have an outside chance at cracking this hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Armstrong | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — Speaking of position players pitching! In the greatest triumph of all time for the Vulture Save Position Player Pitching Watch, catcher Austin Romine indeed wrapped up a blowout for the Yankees Thursday night. Romine was more of a Mychal Givens than a Stevie Wilkerson, though, with a few pitches in the 80s and three runs allowed on two home runs. 

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.

Colorado Rockies — Wade Davis has struggled recently, but he looked sharp Thursday against the Nationals in DC, striking out the side while allowing a lone walk to record the save. It’s very simple for fantasy owners: start Davis on the road (0.68 ERA, .178 BAA, 7 saves) and absolutely avoid him at Coors Field (0-4, 9.53 ERA, .301 BAA). Scott Oberg (1.65 ERA, 1.00 WHIP), who has been good everywhere, looms as a viable replacement for Davis in the ninth.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Oberg | Shaw.

Cleveland Indians – A.J. Cole picked up a 14th-inning save Thursday, allowing one run. He does not typically factor into the late-inning plans for Cleveland.

Hierarchy remains: Hand | Wittgren | Cimber.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Nick Wittgren — Brad Hand threw 34 pitches Thursday and has pitched in three of five. 
2. Ty Buttrey — Hansel Robles has pitched in three straight. 

Saturday:
1. Jake Diekman — A Friday appearance would be three of four for Ian Kennedy. 
2. Zack Britton — If Aroldis Chapman pitches Friday, that would be four of six. 

Freddy Peralta earns a save in Milwaukee

July 25, 2019

New York Mets — Rumors of Edwin Diaz’s trade availability should be discounted; the closer simply isn’t pitching well enough to warrant the price the Mets are apparently seeking. Behind Diaz, Jeurys Familia continues to be terrible, and Mickey Callaway continues to have no idea what to do about it.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Familia.

Milwaukee Brewers — Josh Hader struck out five in two scoreless innings, but those innings were the seventh and eighth. Junior Guerra had pitched the sixth and Jeremy Jeffress was getting a second straight day off, so 23-year-old Freddy Peralta got the ninth for his first career save. This was Peralta’s fifth straight scoreless appearance in relief, and although he’s not pushing Josh Hader aside anytime soon, he could benefit from Craig Counsell’s habit of using Hader early based on matchups.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Jeffress | Peralta.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Greg Holland walked two guys on nine lousy pitches and left after being visited by a trainer, but Torey Lovullo says he’s not hurt. Yoan Lopez earned the save on four pitches, but he’s looking over his shoulder at Archie Bradley, whom Lovullo intends to ease back into high-leverage work. If Holland is hurt, or just loses his job, the Diamondbacks will have an interesting decision to make.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Hirano | Lopez.

Minnesota Twins — Blake Parker started the year as the Twins’ closer, losing the job to Taylor Rogers after struggling in June. Parker had allowed only one run in his last 10 appearances before Tuesday’s four-run implosion against the Yankees, but Minnesota elected to designate him for assignment. In Parker’s stead, Tyler Duffey returns to the hierarchy for the first time in two years.

Updated hierarchy: Rogers | May | Duffey.

Houston Astros — Will Harris got a seventh-inning hold on Tuesday and seems to have usurped that role from Hector Rondon (12.15 ERA in July).

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Pressly | Harris.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Zack Britton — You’re more likely to see Austin Romine pitching Thursday than Aroldis Chapman (two straight and three of four).
2. Wander Suero — Although Suero has gone on two straight days, Sean Doolittle and Fernando Rodney pitched in two games on Wednesday alone.
3. Nathan Eovaldi — Brandon Workman might get a second day off after throwing 44 pitches on Tuesday.

Friday:
1. Jake Diekman/Scott Barlow — Both Diekman and Ian Kennedy have gone in two straight.
2. Ty Buttrey — Same for Hansel Robles and Cam Bedrosian.

Not all vulture saves are created equal

July 24, 2019

Boston Red Sox — Alex Cora tasked Brandon Workman to get a six-out save with the Sox leading the Rays, 5-2, on Tuesday. Workman breezed through the eighth inning on 12 pitches and got two outs in the ninth, but he ran into trouble and eventually exited the game with the bases loaded and the Rays trailing by two. Marcus Walden came on and threw four straight balls before inducing a game-ending groundout to get the save. Meanwhile, Nathan Eovaldi’s first appearance off the IL on Monday was not great; he allowed five hits and three earned runs to turn an 8-0 eighth-inning lead into an 8-3 advantage. Eovaldi was available yesterday despite throwing 24 pitches, but Cora had his reasons to not go to Eovaldi in the ninth. We should see Eovaldi in the ninth inning today if there’s a save chance, especially because Cora said that Workman is unavailable Matt Barnes likely will be available for only one out.

Hierarchy remains: *Workman | Eovaldi | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates – Keone Kela, who concluded his extended stint on the IL this week, has also finished his two-game suspension due to an altercation with a club staffer and will be activated today. Clint Hurdle said that they’ll look to use Kela in a non-leverage situation right off the bat, but expect Kela to eventually play a big role for the Pirates in the late innings.

Updated hierarchy: Vazquez | Crick | Kela.

St. Louis Cardinals — As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Carlos Martinez got the night off and Andrew Miller picked up the save. Miller has established himself as the handcuff for Martinez.

Hierarchy remains: Martinez | Miller | Gant.

New York Yankees — It was not the best night for the Yankees’ hierarchy, as Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman both blew late-inning leads. Adam Ottavino nearly joined that list after he loaded the bases with two outs in a 14-12 game, but Chad Green Aaron Hicks made sure the Yankees hung on for the 10-inning win. A truly well-earned save for Green and an even more well-deserved hold for Ottavino.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.

Cincinnati Reds – While we did have the Reds as part of yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, we unfortunately did not predict Sal Romano’s three-inning save in a 14-6 win. Shame on us.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.

Chicago White Sox — It’s worth noting that Jace Fry has been sharp of late, posting a 0.79 ERA over his last 14 appearances. If Fry keeps pitching like this, it will be hard for the White Sox to keep him away from more consistent high-leverage work.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Bummer | Marshall.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Nathan Eovaldi – As we noted above, Brandon Workman is unavailable after throwing 44 pitches.
2. Blake Parker – Parker had a rough outing yesterday, but Taylor Rogers has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Zack Britton – Aroldis Chapman threw 29 pitches yesterday and may get a day off heading into a four-game series with the Red Sox.
4. Sam Dyson – Will Smith went two innings yesterday, but he only threw 19 pitches. The Giants are off on Thursday, but Smith may rest today anyway.

Tomorrow
1. Joe Jimenez/Buck Farmer – If Shane Greene pitches today, that would be two straight and three of four. Joe Jimenez enters today having pitched in three of the last four.
2. Seth Lugo – The same for Shane Greene is true for Edwin Diaz.
3. Ty Buttrey/Cam Bedrosian – A second straight day of 20 or more pitches may mean Hansel Robles gets Thursday off. Ty Buttrey probably has today off after throwing 30 pitches yesterday, but if both he and Robles are rested, Bedrosian should get any save chance that arises.
4. Zack Britton/Adam Ottavino – If Aroldis Chapman goes today, it will be two straight and three of four.

Chris Martin, Jose Leclerc to share closing duties with Shawn Kelley on the shelf

July 23, 2019

Texas Rangers – With Shawn Kelley officially on the IL, Chris Woodward indicated that Jose Leclerc and Chris Martin would handle 9th inning duties in Kelley’s absence. We detailed their recent work in yesterday morning’s post, and figure this might come down to who converts successfully first. From an organizational perspective, the Rangers may want to give Martin the first few cracks in the hopes that he succeeds and bolsters his trade value. But Leclerc has been viewed as the closer of the future for some time, so they might just give him back the job he lost at the end of April.

Hierarchy remains: *C.Martin | Leclerc | B.Martin.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – Raisel Iglesias couldn’t escape the 8th inning last night, allowing an inherited run to score, plus three more, as the Reds relinquished the lead. They got it back in the top of the 9th, allowing Jared Hughes to convert his first save of the season. Michael Lorenzen and Amir Garrett had already pitched earlier in the night.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.

San Francisco Giants – The Giants gave Will Smith the night off after he’d appeared in three of the last four, and Sam Dyson got the 9th, converting for his 2nd save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Smith | Dyson | Watson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. John Gant/Andrew Miller – Carlos Martinez has gone back to back and three of four.
2. Michael Lorenzen – Raisel Iglesias has gone back to back, throwing 50 pitches.

Tomorrow
1. Blake Parker – If Taylor Rogers goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.