Edubray Ramos blows a save chance for the Phillies

April 10, 2019

Philadelphia Phillies – Edubray Ramos almost became the third different Phillie reliever to record a save in as many days, but he only got two outs before allowing a solo homer to tie the game. Seranthony Dominguez got the final two outs of the seventh while Hector Neris walked two batters in a scoreless eighth inning against the heart of the Nationals’ order. Neris, who earned Sunday’s save, has pitched better than Dominguez (and Robertson for that matter) this year. Gabe Kapler likes the fact Neris can strike out anybody in a given lineup, but whether that translates into more save chances remains to be seen.

Updated hierarchy: *Robertson | Neris | Dominguez.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles’ bullpen has been one with little clarity this year, and few pitchers are standing out in a positive way. Richard Bleier gave up four runs on four hits Tuesday to push his ERA to 14.54. Miguel Castro was no better, allowing four runs on five hits to send his ERA to 11.57. Paul Fry (1.57 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) is probably the most likely person to get a save chance other than Mychal Givens at this point. One name to also keep an eye on is recent call-up Evan Phillips. He went unscored upon in eight appearances this spring, and in his 2019 debut yesterday he threw three scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Fry | Bleier.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — The Royals called up Richard Lovelady to help their struggling bullpen, and Lovelady shined in his big-league debut. He struck out the first two batters he faced as part of a 1-2-3 eighth inning in Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to Seattle. Given how bad the Royals’ bullpen has been this year, don’t be surprised if Lovelady works his way into some high-leverage situations soon.

Hierarchy remains: *Kennedy | Peralta | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers – Jose Leclerc had his scoreless inning streak snapped at 25.1 innings on Tuesday when he blew a save chance in Arizona. Of note is that manager Chris Woodward said that the Rangers will monitor Leclerc’s usage in the future when their closer goes through another long stretch of no appearances. Leclerc, who denied the rest played a part in Tuesday’s troubles, had not pitched in six days.

Hierarchy remains: LeClerc | Martin | Kelley.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Pressly – Roberto Osuna has pitched three straight and four of five.
2. Ty Buttrey – Cody Allen has thrown 29 pitches over two straight outings, but the Angels do have Thursday off.

AJ Minter nabs a save; Phillies keep spreading chances around

April 9, 2019

Tampa Bay Rays – Hunter Wood pitched the final three innings of a four-run game to register his first save of the season. It was an impressive outing, but Wood does not factor in to the Rays’ usual late-game plans.

Hierarchy remains: Alvarado | Castillo | Roe.

Philadelphia Phillies – Another 8th inning appearance for David Robertson meant another save opportunity for a non-Robertson reliever, and this time, it was veteran Pat Neshek. Neshek made things interesting, allowing a leadoff homer and then a double, but retired the next three hitters for his first save.

Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Dominguez | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves – Arodys Vizcaino got a night off after pitching in three of the previous five, allowing AJ Minter to pick up his first save of the year. This could turn into a shared role in a hurry, so we’ll keep a close eye on this one going forward.

Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Minter | Sobotka.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Pressly – Roberto Osuna has gone back to back and three of four.
2. Andrew Miller – Jordan Hicks has pitched 2.1 innings over the past two days.

Tomorrow
1. Craig Stammen/Trey Wingenter – If Kirby Yates goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five. Likewise for Craig Stammen.

Ryan Brasier seeing save chances

April 8, 2019

Philadelphia Phillies – Facing a pinch hitter followed by the top of the order, the Phillies opted for David Robertson in the 8th inning, and Robertson posted his second straight scoreless outing. Hector Neris got the save in the 9th. Robertson seems to be working out his issues, and while Gabe Kapler will continue to deploy him everywhere, he’s still the most likely Phillie to get a save on any given night.

Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Dominguez | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates – Felipe Vazquez and Keone Kela both got ejected in the 4th-inning fracas/Renaissance painting, so Richard Rodriguez pitched the 9th for his first save of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Vazquez | Kela | Rodriguez.

St. Louis Cardinals – After a rough start to the season, Alex Reyes got sent down to AAA. For now, we’ll give his spot in the hierarchy to John Gant, who has already amassed two wins, a hold, and a save on the year.

Updated hierarchy: Hicks | Miller | Gant.

Boston Red Sox – Protecting a 1-run lead, the Red Sox went to Matt Barnes for the 7th and 8th innings, followed by Ryan Brasier in the 9th. It was Brasier’s second save of the season, so we’re going to shift this to a committee, as it seems Barnes is functioning as the fireman thus far.

Updated hierarchy: *Barnes | Brasier | Hembree.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Lou Trivino/Joakim Soria – Blake Treinen threw 28 pitches across 1.1 innings last night. He might get the night off, and if not, he’ll be off tomorrow.

Tomorrow
1. AJ Minter – If Arodys Vizcaino goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. Ryan Pressly – If Roberto Osuna goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
3. Andrew Miller – Jordan Hicks threw 24 pitches across 1.1 innings last night; if he goes tonight, he’ll likely be off tomorrow.

Adam Conley records save while Blake Parker gets another ninth inning

April 7, 2019

Miami Marlins – The Marlins bullpen threw five scoreless innings yesterday and Drew Steckenrider, Sergio Romo, and Adam Conley combined for the last three. Steckenrider pitched a perfect seventh, Romo had a perfect eighth and came back out for the first out of the ninth. That meant lefty Adam Conley was used for the last two outs and picked up his first save of the season. This looks like a true committee and all three guys could get the save on any given night.

Hierarchy remains: *Romo | Steckenrider | Conley.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins — Taylor Rogers pitched the eighth inning with the Twins up one run and that left Blake Parker for the ninth inning.  It wasn’t a save opportunity since the Twins added three runs in the top of the ninth but this appears to be the preferred usage for the Twins.  The eighth inning started off with two righties so it wasn’t matchups that dictated Rogers in the eighth.  Trevor May, on the other hand, pitched Friday with the Twins down six and could fall off the hierarchy altogether.

Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Rogers | May.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — The Royals called on Wily Peralta in the seventh inning last night to try and protect a one-run lead.  He got the first batter out but then he gave up a walk and a go-ahead grand slam.  Peralta has given up at least one run in three of his four appearances so far this season, and that could give Ian Kennedy a chance to pull away in this committee.

Hierarchy remains: *Kennedy | Peralta | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trey Wingenter – Kirby Yates and Craig Stammen have both pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Joe Jimenez – Shane Green has pitched in four of five.
3. Jared Hughes – Raisel Iglesias threw 34 pitches over 2.1 innings last night and could get Sunday off as a result

Monday
1. Zack Britton – If Aroldis Chapman pitched on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of the past four.
2. Ty Buttrey – If Cody Allen pitches on Sunday, it will be three of the past four.

Joe Kelly could miss some time with a wrist injury

April 6, 2019

Los Angeles Dodgers — Joe Kelly was hit on the wrist by a comebacker in the 9th inning last night. X-rays came back negative, and Dave Roberts doesn’t expect him to miss much time, but if he does hit the IL, other members of the bullpen could get a chance to prove themselves. Scott Alexander has been solid in the early going and may pick up some of the slack if Kelly misses a few games. 

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Ferguson.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Kyle Crick’s absence on Thursday was explained when he hit the IL on Friday with triceps tightness. Richard Rodriguez ascends in his absence.

Updated hierarchy: Vazquez | Kela | Rodriguez.

Seattle Mariners — Cory Gearrin’s struggles continue. He gave up two walks and a HBP last night, and it is hard to imagine that the Mariners will run him out in a high-leverage spot anytime soon. Anthony Swarzak remains at the top of this committee and Roenis Elias will spell him when necessary. Matthew Festa has yet to give up a run and has three holds in his first four appearances. While he doesn’t have overpowering stuff, he’s been effective in his brief time in the majors. 

Updated hierarchy: Swarzak | Elias | Festa.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels — Cody Allen locked up the first save of the Angels’ season on Friday. We haven’t seen much of the team’s bullpen — they haven’t held many leads — but last night they pitched well. Ty Buttrey took the eighth and pitched to the heart of the Rangers order, while Hansel Robles pitched a clean seventh. Buttrey has been a little bit better to start the season, so he slides up to first in line, but he and Robles will split time as the bridge to Allen. 

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Buttrey | Robles.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. AJ Minter — Arodys Vizcaino has pitched in two of three, including a 27-pitch outing last night.

Sunday:
1. Joe Jimenez — An appearance today would be four of five for Shane Greene.
2. Ty Buttrey — Today would be three in a row for Cody Allen.
3. Seranthony Dominguez — David Robertson has gone in two of three.
4. Craig Stammen/Trey Wingenter — So has Kirby Yates.
5. Diego Castillo — And Jose Alvarado.
6. Keone Kela — Felipe Vazquez has pitched in two straight.
7. Kyle Barraclough — The Nationals were off last night, but an appearance today would make three in four for Sean Doolittle.