Brandon Workman pitches in the 7th while Rafael Dolis and Greg Holland are both on a roll

September 13, 2020

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies summoned their closer, Brandon Workman, in the 7th inning last night and you don’t need a monkey to tell you that’s not normally when a closer is used.  Manager Joe Girardi said he might switch things up in the late innings and he held true to his word yesterday.  Fantasy owners will hope this was just a temporary thing, but it will be worth monitoring to see if this turns into a committee.

Hierarchy remains: Workman | Neris | Phelps.

Toronto Blue Jays — Rafael Dolis picked up his fourth save of the season yesterday and has recorded the last three saves for the Blue Jays.  Dolis has also made 12 straight scoreless appearances.  We will move him to the head of this committee for now but we will also keep an eye on how the Blue Jays use Giles over the next couple weeks.  

Updated hierarchy: *Dolis | Bass | Giles.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — The Royals again went with Greg Holland in a save situation yesterday and he pitched a scoreless 9th for his fifth save of the season.  Holland has recorded the last three Royals’ saves and also has not allowed an earned run in his last ten appearances.  Those two stats are enough for us to remove his asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Barlow | Hahn.

Chicago Cubs – Jeremy Jeffress and Rowan Wick got the day off yesterday as predicted by the vulture save watch and Craig Kimbrel was able to convert the save chance after the Cubs took the lead in the top of the 9th.  This was Kimbrel’s first save of the season and he hasn’t allowed a run yet in September.  

Hierarchy remains: Jeffress | Wick | Kimbrel.

Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers activated Pedro Baez before yesterday’s game and immediately used him in the 7th inning of a tight game.  Baez threw a scoreless inning and should continue to work in a set-up role ahead of closer Kenley Jansen.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Treinen | Baez.

Tampa Bay Rays — Diego Castillo pitched a scoreless 9th to pick up his fourth save of the season yesterday. Nick Anderson, who also has four saves, pitched a scoreless 8th inning and still has yet to allow a run this season.  This will likely continue to be a committee because that’s what the Rays do.  Do you know what else the Rays do?  They start nine left-handed hitters for the first time in modern MLB history.  Keep doing what you do.    

Hierarchy remains: *Anderson | Castillo | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies – Wade Davis has been activated from the injured list.  Daniel Bard has been solid as the closer, converting all six of his chances, and Davis will not take his job at this point.  However, the Rockies bullpen as a whole has struggled this year so Davis could see some late-inning action pretty quickly if he can pitch well.

Updated hierarchy: Bard | Givens | Davis.

Los Angeles Angels — Matt Andriese recorded an extra-innings save for the Angels yesterday.  The entire Angels’ hierarchy had pitched earlier in the game and Ty Buttrey recorded the win with a scoreless 10th inning.  Andriese does not factor into the Angels’ normal late-inning bullpen plans.

Hierarchy remains: *Buttrey | Pena | Mayers.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Will Smith/Chris Martin – Mark Melancon and Shane Greene have both pitched in three in a row. Will Smith has gone in two in a row and the Braves might be cautious with him since he missed the start of the season with an injury
2. Mychal Givens – Daniel Bard has pitched in two straight, throwing a total of 36 pitches.
3. Jesse Hahn – Greg Holland has appeared in two straight and four of five. Scott Barlow has also appeared in two straight, throwing a total of 46 pitches. Hahn has appeared in two straight also but only threw 5 pitches yesterday.
4. Felix Pena – Ty Buttrey has pitched in three games in a row.
5. Devin Williams/Alex Claudio – Josh Hader has pitched in two straight, including a 26 pitch blown save yesterday. Devin Williams has also pitched in two straight but has thrown fewer pitches so he might be available.

Monday
1. Blake Treinen – Kenley Jansen threw 21 pitches yesterday (while recorded zero outs) and if he pitches again on Sunday, he will likely get Monday off.
2. Sergio Romo – If Taylor Rogers pitches on Sunday, it will be three straight.
3. Hector Neris – If Brandon Workman pitches on Sunday, it would be two straight and three of four.

Yimi Garcia gets an unexpected save; Kevin Ginkel demoted in Arizona

September 12, 2020

Miami Marlins — In the nightcap of a doubleheader, the Marlins used Brad Boxberger and Brandon Kintzler as setup men . . . and Yimi Garcia to close out the game. After the game, Don Mattingly explained that Kintzler had a fingernail issue that presumably kept him from sending the closer back out after a four-pitch sixth inning. In light of Kintzler’s recent struggles and Garcia’s hot start since returning from the COVID-19 list (0.93 ERA; 11.2 K/9 rate), we’ll be watching this bullpen closely.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Boxberger | Garcia.

Arizona Diamondbacks — On September 8, Torey Lovullo called Kevin Ginkel his closer “for the time being,” saying that the young righty was throwing the ball well. Three days later, Ginkel’s still closing — the car door, on his way to Scottsdale — while Lovullo nitpicks his fastball command to the press. This bullpen is best avoided, but what saves may come are likely to be split among Stefan Crichton, lefty Travis Bergen, and Junior Guerra, with proven closer Hector Rondon and his 7.98 ERA a little behind. Crichton got the first shot Friday night and converted.

Updated hierarchy: *Crichton | Bergen | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels — The Angels hierarchy was used in order on Friday night, but Ty Buttrey wasted great outings by Mike Mayers and Felix Pena, blowing the save and taking the eventual loss. This was Buttrey’s fourth blown save, and the league-leading 13th for LA. The next save chance could well go to a different pitcher.

Hierarchy remains: *Buttrey | Pena | Mayers.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — As expected, Giovanny Gallegos hit the injured list Friday, leaving Andrew Miller at the top of the Cards’ closer carousel. John Gant, Alex Reyes, and Ryan Helsley are also options.

Updated hierarchy: *Miller | Gant | Reyes.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays — Ken Giles returned from the IL Friday night and had his first pitch sent into orbit by Wilson Ramos. He’ll get a few more low-leverage outings before he returns to the closer role, so we’ll slot him in at second in line for now.

Updated hierarchy: *Bass | Dolis | Giles.

Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland grabbed his fourth save of the season on Friday and his second straight; we still think this is a committee, but Holland could be separating himself.

Hierarchy remains: *Holland | Barlow | Hahn.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles — Okay, yes, we failed to notice that Evan Phillips got sent down last week, but be honest; you did too. We have Paul Fry at second in line now, but it could also be Dillon Tate, Travis Lakins, Cole Sulser, Brett Richards, or Cesar Valdez. The most amazing thing is that we made only one of those names up.

Updated hierarchy: *Harvey | Scott | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — Codi Heuer has moved ahead of Jimmy Cordero in the White Sox hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Colome | Marshall | Heuer.

New York Mets — For pitching three scoreless innings in an 18-1 blowout over Toronto, Erasmo Ramirez was awarded his fourth career save, and first since he left crazy Tampa in 2017.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Wilson | Familia.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Craig Kimbrel — Jeremy Jeffress has pitched in three of four, and Rowan Wick was used in multiple innings on Friday.
2. Travis Bergen — Stefan Crichton has pitched in three of four.
3. Scott Barlow — Same with Greg Holland.
4. Brad Boxberger — The state of Brandon Kintzler’s fingernail is an open question.
5. Joakim Soria — Liam Hendriks had Friday off, but threw in three straight before that — and Oakland has a doubleheader Saturday.

Sunday:
1. Shane Greene — Mark Melancon has gone in two straight.
2. Felix Pena — As has Ty Buttrey.

Giovanny Gallegos leaves game with groin injury

September 11, 2020

St. Louis Cardinals – Giovanny Gallegos did not record an out before leaving Thursday’s game with a groin injury and will undergo some imaging to determine the extent of the injury. He was charged with three runs on two hits and a walk and was hit with the loss. This warrants monitoring. Andrew Miller, John Gant and/or the recently returning Ryan Helsley could factor into the saves mix if Gallegos is sidelined. 

Hierarchy remains: *Gallegos | Miller | Gant.
* = closer-by-committee

Detroit Tigers – It appears there’s a new saves option in Detroit. Bryan Garcia earned his second save Thursday, just days after closing out Sunday’s win. In between, Garcia got the final out Tuesday in an 8-3 victory after coming into the game with two men on and two outs. Asked about Garcia after the game, manager Ron Gardenhire said, “We think he’s got the moxie to be able to do it.” We’ll slide Garcia to the top of this committee, and it looks like he might shake the asterisk by early next week if he keeps pitching well.

Updated hierarchy: *Garcia | Soto | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – Emilio Pagan is back from the injured list and should be in the mix in the late innings behind Trevor Rosenthal. Taylor Williams, who was acquired from the Mariners before the deadline, was sent down to the team’s alternate training site in a corresponding move.

Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Pomeranz | Pagan.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Travis Bergen picked up his first career save by getting the final two outs Thursday in a 5-2 win. Anytime someone earns a save for Arizona it’s noteworthy, as this bullpen situation has been pretty muddy since the departure of Archie Bradley. We’ll add him to the hierarchy as we continue to track this situation. It’s worth noting that Kevin Ginkel and Stefan Crichton had pitched in back-to-back days, so they might have needed rest. 

Updated hierarchy: *Ginkel | Crichton | Bergen.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox — Austin Brice was placed on the 10-day IL Thursday. Expect Phillips Valdez to be among the options to slot in behind Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes as the Red Sox play out the string.

Updated hierarchy: Barnes | Brasier | Valdez.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Joe Kelly was activated from the injured list on Thursday, but must now begin serving his five-game suspension.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Ferguson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joakim Soria – Liam Hendriks has pitched in three straight.

Tomorrow
1. Ryan Brasier – A Friday appearance would be three of four for Matt Barnes.
2. Rowan Wick – Same as above for Jeremy Jeffress. 
3. Andre Scrubb – Ditto for Ryan Pressly.
4. Scott Barlow – And also for Greg Holland!
5. Stefan Crichton/Travis Bergen – You get the idea! (re: Kevin Ginkel)

Blake Treinen records save

September 10, 2020

Los Angeles Dodgers — As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Kenley Jansen was given the night off after a 31 pitch outing on Tuesday, so the extra innings save chance fell to Blake Treinen. Treinen pitched a clean inning to get his first save of the year. Treinen has been good this year, only giving up runs in 3 appearances, but he isn’t a threat to take over for Jansen, who is enjoying a return to form after a couple of down years. 

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Ferguson.

San Diego Padres – With a 1 run lead going into the 7th, and everyone (mostly) rested we got a clean look at how the Padres intend to use their bullpen in close games. They started with Dan Altavilla, who was just picked up in a trade from the Mariners. He pitched a clean inning and turned it over to Drew Pomeranz, who was activated from the IL last week. Pomeranz worked around a pair of singles to escape the inning, which left the save to recently acquired Trevor Rosenthal, who converted for his second save as a Padre. After losing Kirby Yates to surgery, the Padres were aggressive at the trade deadline to bolster their bullpen, and we think last night’s game is a good indication of how they will line up when everyone is rested. 

Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Pomeranz | Altavilla.

Atlanta Braves — With a 14 run lead going into the 6th inning, the Braves turned the game over to Bryse Wilson. Wilson pitched 4 mostly uneventful innings to earn his first career save. Wilson was just called up this week, and projects as more of a starter than a late-inning arm. We don’t expect Wilson to make any real impact on the hierarchy. 

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Greene | Smith.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Andre Scrubb/Brad Peacock – Ryan Pressly has pitched in back to back games, while Andre Scrubb pitched last night. 
2. Joakim Soria/Jake Diekman – Liam Hendriks has also pitched back to back, and Joakim Soria threw 9 pitches last night. 
3. Scott Barlow – Greg Holland has pitched back to back days. 
4. Stefan Crichton – Kevin Ginkel has pitched in back to back games. The same is true for Stefan Crichton, but he has a slightly lower pitch count, while Junior Guerra threw 31 pitches last night. 

Friday
1. Jose Ciserno/Buck Farmer – Gregory Soto threw 21 pitches on Tuesday, so another long outing would earn him rest on Friday. 
2. Jonathan Hernandez/Brett Martin –  Rafael Montero threw 17 pitches last night, so if he pitches today he will likely get Friday off. Hernandez has pitched back to back, so he should be rested, but if he makes it into tonight’s game as well, look for Martin to get a Friday chance. 
3. Tanner Scott/Evan Phillips – Both Hunter Harvey and Tanner Scott pitched last night, so if they pitch again today they will likely get Friday off. 
4. Archie Bradley – Raisel Iglesias threw 10 pitches last night so a long outing today would keep him out on Friday
5. Drew Pomeranz/Dan Altavilla – The entire Padres hierarchy pitched last night, so anyone that goes today will likely need Friday off. 

Rafael Dolis continues to pitch well

September 9, 2020

Toronto Blue Jays – Rafael Dolis notched his second straight save on Tuesday, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning. Dolis hasn’t allowed an earned run since Aug. 12. Meanwhile, Anthony Bass struggled a little on Monday protecting a six-run lead, which was some odd usage for someone who had been pitching a lot. Bass entered Tuesday’s game having gone in three of four and four of six. We’ll keep Bass at the top of the hierarchy for now, but Dolis may not be too far away from taking over that spot.

Hierarchy remains: *Bass | Dolis | Cole.

Kansas City Royals — Three different Royals have recorded the team’s three saves since trading Trevor Rosenthal, with Scott Barlow doing the honors last night after Greg Holland tossed two perfect innings in the seventh and eighth. Barlow, Holland and Jesse Hahn have notched those three aforementioned saves, so we’ll put all three of them in our hierarchy and see how the next save chance plays out. One other name to keep an eye on is Kyle Zimmer, who struck out three in 1.2 IP on Tuesday to lower his ERA to 1.53.

Updated hierarchy: *Holland | Barlow | Hahn.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox — After Matt Barnes blew a save in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader in Philadelphia, Austin Brice looked like he was on his way to doing the same for the Sox in game two. Just three of Brice’s 14 pitches were strikes, as he walked two straight hitters after somehow managing to record an out. Marcus Walden replaced Brice and retired both batters he faced to earn the save. 

Hierarchy remains: Barnes | Brasier | Brice.

Chicago Cubs – Jeremy Jeffress has collected the Cubs’ last four saves, including the final three outs of Tuesday’s win. David Ross said that while nobody has the label of closer, Jeffress is “probably the guy that’s going to be on the back end for a little bit.” The manger may not want to officially name a closer, but we’re kicking the asterisk until further notice.

Hierarchy remains: Jeffress | Wick | Kimbrel.

San Francisco Giants – Tony Watson earned the save last night, with Tyler Rogers picking up the win in the seventh inning after facing the 2-3-4 hitters. Jarlin Garcia got the eighth and maintained his 0.00 ERA with a 1-2-3 frame. 

Hierarchy remains: *Watson | Rogers | Coonrod.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Junior Guerra – Both Kevin Ginkel (31 pitches) and Stefan Crichton (28 pitches) had lengthy outings on Tuesday.
2. Blake Treinen – Kenley Jansen needed 31 pitches to get through Tuesday’s ninth inning.

Tomorrow
1. Stefan Crichton/Junior Guerra – As noted above, both Crichton and Kevin Ginkel threw a lot of pitches on Tuesday so today’s usage will dictate how Arizona’s committee will be deployed on Thursday.
2. James Karinchak – If Brad Hand pitches today, that will be his fourth outing in five days.
3. Brad Boxberger – Same goes for Brandon Kintzler.
4. Buck Farmer – If both Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero have long outings today, Farmer may get a save chance on Thursday.