It was Keynan Middleton’s turn for a save on Sunday

May 31, 2021

Seattle Mariners — Keynan Middleton only needed five pitches to earn his fifth save of the year on Sunday. This comes a day after Rafael Montero picked up his seventh save of the year and two days after Erik Swanson picked up his first. It’s safe to say that this is as pure a committee as you can find, and all this without Kendall Graveman, who is still in quarantine for at least the next few days. 

Hierarchy remains: *Montero | Middleton | Misiewicz.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks – After the Diamondbacks scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 9-2 lead, they gave the ball to Riley Smith in the seventh. He never gave it up, scattering four hits over the next three months to earn his first career save. Smith has mostly been used in long relief for Arizona this year and doesn’t usually factor into the Diamondbacks’ late inning plans. 

Hierarchy remains: Crichton | Ginkel | Soria.

San Francisco Giants — With the entire hierarchy rested, the Giants turned to Jake McGee for the ninth inning of a three-run game on Sunday. He didn’t have the smoothest performance, giving up two runs (one earned), but he got the job done for his 12th save of the year and first since May 18. McGee’s underlying numbers aren’t great when compared to Tyler Rogers. Despite this, McGee does keep getting high-leverage work and remains firmly in the mix for saves going forward.

Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | McGee | Littell.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds — Tejay Antone finally rewarded fantasy owners with a save on Sunday. With the tying run on deck in a 5-1 game, Antone recorded the final out of the eighth inning and then stayed in for a 1-2-3 ninth to record his third save of the season. Antone remains the Reds’ best reliever, it’s just a matter of where in the game David Bell needs to use him.

Hierarchy remains: *Antone | Sims | Hembree.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland converted the Royals’ first save chance since Josh Staumont landed on the IL. Kyle Zimmer (1.1 IP) and Scott Barlow (1.2 IP) each earned a hold to get the Royals to the ninth inning.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Aaron Bummer/Garret Crochet (CHW) — Liam Hendriks has thrown 43 pitches over the last two days and three games, and the White Sox have a doubleheader today.
2. Lucas Sims/Heath Hembree (CIN) — Tejay Antone has also worked the last two days, while Lucas Sims threw 18 pitches Sunday.
3. James Karinchak/Bryan Shaw (CLE) — For the second straight day, Cleveland has a doubleheader.
4. Gregory Soto (DET) – Michael Fulmer has pitched in two of three, throwing 44 pitches in that span. 
5. Scott Barlow/Kyle Zimmer (KC) — Greg Holland has pitched back-to-back days. Barlow and Zimmer both had long outings yesterday as well, so any save today may go to any of the three.
6. Mike Mayers/Tony Watson (LAA) — Raisel Iglesias has thrown back-to-back games as well.
7. J.P. Feyereisen (TB) — Same goes for Diego Castillo.
8. Kyle Crick (PIT) — Richard Rodriguez threw 35 pitches yesterday.

Tuesday:
1. James Karinchak/Bryan Shaw (CLE) — If Emmanuel Clase pitches either game of today’s doubleheader, that will be two straight days of work.

J.P. Feyereisen earns another save

May 30, 2021

Tampa Bay Rays — Diego Castillo preserved a tie game in the top of the eighth against the heart of the Phillies’ order, which paved the way for J.P. Feyereisen to notch his second save of the season when the Rays took the lead in the bottom of the eighth. It looks like Castillo and Feyereisen are the top two options in the Tampa bullpen right now, as Pete Fairbanks hasn’t pitched since Tuesday.

Updated hierarchy: *Castillo | Feyereisen | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — It wasn’t pretty, but Rafael Montero picked up another save on Saturday despite allowing a run. The Mariners have won five of six and continue to get by without Kendall Graveman. They’ll also have to get by without Erik Swanson, who landed on the 10-day IL with a right groin strain.

Updated hierarchy: *Montero | Middleton | Misiewicz.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – Taylor Rogers allowed a two-run home run but then settled down to retire the next three hitters in order and record his fourth save of the season. Hansel Robles also struggled a bit, giving up a run during his eighth-inning appearance. This continues to be a true committee, with Rogers and Robles splitting most of the save chances.

Hierarchy remains: *Robles | Rogers | Duffey.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres — Miguel Diaz picked up a 12th-inning save for the Padres, who scored a run in the eighth, ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th en route to their victory. Diaz has been solid this season in relief, but shouldn’t be factor in the Padres’ usual late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Pagan | Stammen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Garret Crochet (CHW) — Liam Hendriks threw 31 pitches to save both games of yesterday’s doubleheader while Aaron Bummer has gone in three of four.
2. Emilio Pagan (SD) — Mark Melancon has pitched in three of four.
3. James Karinchak/Bryan Shaw (CLE) — Cleveland plays a doubleheader today…
4. Rafael Dolis/Tyler Chatwood (TOR) — …against the Blue Jays.
5. Bryan Abreu (HOU) — Ryan Pressly threw 38 pitches during his blown save yesterday. Joe Smith needed 28 pitches to give up two runs yesterday and Ryne Stanek has thrown in three of four. If Abreu or any Astros reliever records a scoreless outing, consider it a miracle.
6. Daniel Ponce de Leon/Ryan Helsley (STL) – Alex Reyes and Giovanny Gallegos have both pitched in three of four. Ponce de Leon got yesterday off but threw 27 pitches on Friday.

Monday:
1. Blake Treinen/Victor Gonzalez (LAD) — If either Kenley Jansen or Treinen pitch today that will be three of four.

Josh Staumont out with a knee strain

May 29, 2021

Kansas City Royals — Josh Staumont will spend at least the next week on the IL with a knee strain. Staumont had just started to break away from the pack in the Kansas City bullpen, so this injury will put the Royals back into a murky committee. We expect Greg Holland and his closing experience to have the first crack at saves, but Scott Barlow and Kyle Zimmer will both be in the mix.

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

Boston Red Sox — Adam Ottavino got credit for the save but Mother Nature is the one that finished things. Ottavino pitched a clean sixth inning with a three-run lead before the game was rained out. Ottavino remains a good bet for saves when Matt Barnes is unavailable, or if you’re really good at predicting the weather.

Hierarchy remains: Barnes | Ottavino | Hernandez.

Houston Astros — The Astros bullpen gave up seven runs in the 10th inning, but there was still some good news, as Ryan Pressly returned from neck stiffness to pitch a clean ninth inning with the game tied. Houston will need Pressly to be in good form because there are not many reliable options behind him. 

Hierarchy remains: Pressly | Stanek | Smith.

New York Yankees — The Yankees also got some good news when Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth inning of a tie game after missing a couple of days with a non-COVID illness. Chapman remains an elite closer when healthy.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Loaisiga | Green.

St. Louis Cardinals — With both Alex Reyes and Giovanny Gallegos getting the night off, the Cardinals turned to Ryan Helsley to protect a four-run lead in the eighth inning. Helsley ran into trouble, letting a couple runs score before being pulled for Daniel Ponce de Leon. Ponce de Leon escaped, then stayed in for the ninth to earn his second save in as many days. Ponce de Leon is carving out a solid role in the bullpen, and two saves in a row shows he’s finding higher-leverage work. 

Updated hierarchy: Reyes | Gallegos | Ponce de Leon.

San Francisco Giants — Tyler Rogers was not able to hold a three-run lead in the ninth, so when the Giants scored three in the top of the tenth, Jarlin Garcia got the save opportunity. He converted for his first career save. Garcia isn’t normally part of the late innings for the Giants.

Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | McGee | Littell.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — Rafael Montero got a day off after pitching in three of four, but when Keynan Middleton ran into trouble in the eighth, the Mariners called on Erik Swanson. Swanson stuck around for the ninth for his first save. Swanson has been outstanding for the Mariners (0.82 ERA, 9.7 K/9, .098 BAA), and could start stealing save chances in the Seattle committee. 

Updated hierarchy: *Montero | Middleton | Swanson.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Victor Gonzalez (LAD) — Kenley Jansen and Blake Trienen have both pitched back-to-back and the Dodgers don’t usually let their relievers pitch three days in a row. 
2. Craig Stammen (SD) — Mark Melancon has pitched in two of three, including 28 pitches last night, while Emilio Pagan has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Carlos Estevez/Mychal Givens (COL) — The Rockies play a doubleheader today…
4. Kyle Crick/Chris Stratton (PIT) — …against the Pirates…
5. Devin Williams/Brad Boxberger (MIL) — and the Brewers play a doubleheader…
6. Daniel Hudson/Wander Suero (WAS) — …against the Nationals…
7. Cesar Valdez/Tanner Scott (BAL) — and finally the Orioles play a doubleheader…
8. Aaron Bummer/Garret Crochet (CHW) — …against the White Sox. 

Sunday:
1. Andrew Chafin/Ryan Tepera (CHC) — Today would be back to back and four of five for Craig Kimbrel and Andrew Chafin. 
2. Gregory Soto/Jose Cisnero (DET) — The same is true for Michael Fulmer and Gregory Soto.
3. Jake McGee/Zack Littell (SF) — And Tyler Rogers and Jake McGee.

There were vulture saves aplenty on Thursday

May 28, 2021

Cincinnati Reds — The Vulture Save watch had a couple of gems yesterday, and it started with the Reds, who played a game and a half. With a three-run lead in their second game of the day, they gave the ball to Lucas Sims, who pitched a perfect seventh inning to earn his third save of the year. Sims was arguably the best-rested of Cincinnati’s top options, as Tejay Antone had thrown 33 pitches over 2.2 innings on Wednesday while Sims threw only four. Antone certainly has the best stuff in this bullpen, so he will remain on top for now, but manager David Bell seems happy to use any combination of his best arms to finish games. 

Hierarchy remains: *Antone | Sims | Hembree.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs — Another hit for the Vulture Save Watch as both Craig Kimbrel and Andrew Chafin got a rest after pitching back-to-back games. The degree of difficulty when facing the Pirates wasn’t particularly high, but Ryan Tepera converted his first save of the year. (There were two outs man, you don’t have to chase him, just step on the bag).

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Chafin | Tepera.

New York Yankees — With a two-run lead in the second game of a doubleheader, we expected to see Aroldis Chapman get the seventh inning, but instead it was Chad Green picking up his second save of the year. After the game, Aaron Boone revealed that Chapman was dealing with a non-COVID illness, but that the team is hopeful he will be available this weekend. It doesn’t sound like Chapman will miss any more time, but we will keep the vulture save watch on him until we see him pitch again. 

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Loaisiga | Green.

New York Mets – While Edwin Diaz got the save in the first game of a doubleheader, the Mets dug deeper into their bullpen for game two, using Jeurys Familia in the sixth and leaving the seventh-inning Gsave chance to Robert Gsellman. Gsellman got two outs and hit a batter before an RBI single knocked him out of the game, leaving Jacob Barnes to get the final out for his second save of the year. While the Vulture Save Watch predicted Trevor May in this spot, after the game Luis Rojas said that he wanted to give both Trevor May and Miguel Castro the day off, as they had both seen a lot of work recently.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | May | Familia.

Washington Nationals —  The Nationals activated Tanner Rainey ahead of yesterday’s doubleheader and immediately threw him into the resumed game with a five-run lead in the eighth inning. He gave up three singles and got pulled without retiring a batter, eventually getting charged with all three runs when they came around to score off of Daniel Hudson. Rainey was expected to be a big part of the Nationals’ bullpen this year but has yet to really find his footing, sitting on a 9.49 ERA. The good news for Washington is Brad Hand pitched a clean ninth for his eighth save of the year and now has a modest three-game scoreless streak going. 

Hierarchy remains: Hand  | Hudson | Suero.

St. Louis Cardinals — After running through their hierarchy earlier in the game, the Cardinals turned the 10th inning save chance over to Daniel Ponce de Leon, who pitched a perfect frame for his first save of the year. Ponce de Leon started the year in the rotation before landing on the IL and has put together a few good appearances since his return last week, but he doesn’t usually factor into the late innings for a stacked Cardinals bullpen. 

Hierarchy remains: Reyes | Gallegos | Helsley.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jonathan Loaisiga/Chad Green (NYY) — Aroldis Chapman may still need some time to recover from his illness. 
2. Ryne Stanek (HOU) — Ryan Pressly was dealing with neck stiffness on Wednesday and may not be available yet. 
3. Devin Williams/Brad Boxberger (MIL) — Josh Hader has pitched two straight and three of four, while Devin Williams has also gone in consecutive games, including 32 pitches last night. Boxberger had an off day yesterday, so he could be in line for any save chance today. 
4. Dylan Floro/Anthony Bass (MIA) — Yimi Garcia has pitched back-to-back days, throwing 36 pitches in that span, while Dylan Floro threw 27 pitches last night, leaving Bass the best rested of this bullpen. 
5. Kevin Ginkel/Joakim Soria (ARI) — Stefan Crichton has pitched in two straight while Ginkel and Soria are well-rested.
6. Ryan Helsley (STL) — The same is true for Alex Reyes and Giovanny Gallegos. 

Saturday:
1. Blake Treinen/Victor Gonzalez (LAD) — An appearance today would be two straight for Kenley Jansen and Blake Treinen, and the Dodgers have avoided throwing any pitcher three days in a row. 
2. Trevor May (NYM) — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Edwin Diaz, while May is coming off a few days rest. 
3. Jose Alvarado/Sam Coonrod (PHI) — Same for Hector Neris and Jose Alvarado…
4. Kyle Crick (PIT) — …and for Richard Rodriguez…
5. Rafael Dolis (TOR) — …and Jordan Romano.