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.
