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.