April 10, 2021
Cleveland Indians – With a 3 run lead in the ninth, Emmanuel Clase got the ball for the Indians. He continued his dominant start, striking out 2 in a clean inning to earn his first save of the year. Clase has yet to allow a baserunner due mostly to his triple-digit cutter. We still like James Karinchak as a high-leverage option with great strikeout potential, and Nick Wittgren is still in the mix, but Clase looks like the best reliever to own for saves right now.
Updated hierarchy: *Clase | Karinchak | Wittgren.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s — We got the first real look at the Athletics Hierarchy when Yusmiero Petit pitched a clean 7th to get the win last night. Lou Trivino, who Bob Melvin has flagged as a potential closing option, pitched the 8th for the first Oakland hold of the year, while Jake Diekman was saved for the 9th. It wasn’t a save situation as the A’s scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th, but it was a good window into how the Athletics will play with a lead this year. We will bump Trivino to 1st in line based on this usage, but Melvin’s comments make it seem like he will be at least splitting closing duties with Diekman, and may even have the inside track at this point.
Updated hierarchy: *Diekman | Trivino | Petit.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals – The Nationals activated Brad Hand from the COVID list, and it’s safe to assume he will resume closing duties as nobody else converted a save while he was out.
Updated hierarchy: Hand | Hudson | Rainey.
Los Angeles Dodgers — With a 1 run lead in the 9th, the Dodgers turned to Cory Knebel for the save opportunity. He converted for his second of the year. After the game, Dave Roberts said that he didn’t want to use Kenley Jansen because it would have been his 3rd outing in 4 days. The Dodgers are stacked so they can afford to rest their bullpen, but Knebel’s two saves are enough to move him to first in line.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Knebel | Treinen.
Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays bullpen got hit with another injury. This time it is Pete Fairbanks, who has a strained rotator cuff. The injury could keep him out into June. Fairbanks joins Chaz Roe and Nick Anderson on IL, leaving Diego Castillo as the best option the Rays have. Cody Reed and Ryan Thompson will also be options for saves, but with all the injuries, Castillo has a chance to establish himself as the primary closer. We will leave the committee tag for now given the Rays history but that could change if Castillo converts a couple more save chances.
Updated hierarchy: *Castillo | Reed | Thompson.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — The Rangers became the answer to a trivia question last night, ending up on the receiving end of the first no-hitter in Padres history after managing to only get one man on base (via HBP) against Joe Musgrove. To make matters worse they also lost Matt Bush, who was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation. Bush was just beginning a comeback after missing the better part of 3 seasons, so this is concerning news and we are hoping for a good diagnosis. In the meantime look for the Rangers to lean on John King to help get the ball to Ian Kennedy. Also, since Bush was Kennedy’s primary competition for the closer role, we will drop the committee tag.
Updated hierarchy: Kennedy | Sborz | King.
New York Yankees — Finally some good news on the injury front, where the Yankees got Justin Wilson back from the IL. Wilson was set to be a prominent part of the group that got the ball to Aroldis Chapman, although both Chad Green and Darren O’Day have pitched well in the early going. We will see how the Yankees deploy Wilson going forward.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Green | O’Day.
Vulture Save Watch:
Today
1. James Karinchak (CLE) – Emmanuel Clase has thrown 29 pitches over the last 3 days, leaving Karinchak as the best rested option.
Tomorrow:
1. Lucas Sims/Sean Doolittle (CIN) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Amir Garrett and Lucas Sims, so if either go today expect them to get Sunday off.
2. Lou Trivino/Yusmiero Petit (OAK) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Diekman, Trivino, and Petit, so anyone pitching today will get a rest Sunday.
