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.
