Diego Castillo picks up another save for Rays while Brad Hand has an encouraging outing

May 23, 2021

Tampa Bay Rays — Diego Castillo pitched a scoreless 9th inning yesterday to pick up his 8th save of the season.  The Rays have a deep bullpen, with newly acquired JP Feyereisen joining the mix with a scoreless 6th inning yesterday, but Castillo certainly appears to be closer.  We will see how the Rays handle things moving forward, but we are cautiously optimistic that Castillo will be able to kick the asterisk soon.  

Hierarchy remains: *Castillo | Fairbanks | Thompson.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals —  Brad Hand bounced back with a perfect 9th inning to record his 6th save of the season.  Daniel Hudson earned his 3rd win of the season with a scoreless 8th and now has a stellar 1.13 ERA and 0.69 WHIP for the season. The Nationals will hope that Hand can settle back in and start pitching like he did for the first month of the season, but considering how well Hudson is pitching, the situation is still worth monitoring.

Hierarchy remains: Hand  | Hudson | Harris.

Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates have reinstated Kyle Crick from the IL.  Crick should jump right back into the set-up role for the Pirates and could see some save chances when Richard Rodriguez is unavaiable.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Crick | Stratton.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dylan Floro (MIA) – Yimi Garcia has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Ryan Thompson (TB) – Diego Castillo and Pete Fairbanks have both pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Will Harris (WAS) – Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson have also pitched in two straight and three of four.
4. Blake Treinen (LAD) – Kenley Jansen has pitched in three of four and four of the last six.
5. Adam Ottavino (BOS) – Matt Barnes has pitched in two of three, throwing 43 pitches over that time.
6. Lou Trivino (OAK) – Jake Diekman has appeared in back-to-back games

Monday
1. Taylor Rogers/Alex Colome (MIN) – If Hansel Robles pitches today, it will be two straight and three of four. Same for Taylor Rogers.

The committee in Toronto remains unclear while Brad Hand’s struggles continue

May 22, 2021

Toronto Blue Jays — The committee in Toronto continues to be murky, with Jordan Romano pitching the seventh inning of a tie game last night and Tyler Chatwood taking the ninth at home, where typically you would see a closer. Rafael Dolis was held out of the game after his long outing on Thursday. It’s safe to say that the closer spot is wide open for the Blue Jays, and whoever converts the next save might just run away with the job. We will be monitoring the situation closely, and Dolis being rested will likely give him an inside track if a save chance comes today. 

Hierarchy remains: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals —  With the Nationals holding a four-run lead in the ninth inning they turned the ball over to Brad Hand in a non-save situation. He gave up two runs but managed to finish the game. Hand has struggled recently, giving up runs in five of his last six appearances. Daniel Hudson, who pitched a clean eighth ahead of him yesterday, has yet to give up a run in May. Because it wasn’t a save situation and because Hand did finish the game, we aren’t ready to remove him from the closer spot just yet, but Hudson makes for a good speculative add in case Hand’s struggles continue.

Hierarchy remains: Hand  | Hudson | Harris.

Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers traded JP Feyereisen and Drew Rasmussen to the Tampa Bay Rays for Trevor Richards and shortstop Willy Adames. Feyereisen had been pitching well for Milwaukee until giving up 6 runs over his last two outings, and his place in the hierarchy will be filled by Brad Boxberger.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.

Tampa Bay Rays — The other side of the trade sees the Rays bolstering their bullpen with JP Feyereisen and Drew Rasmussen. The Rays say they plan for Feyereisen to be a late-inning reliever for them, but that description could apply to any reliever on the team. Feyereisen did start the year with 17 scoreless appearances before struggling a bit recently, so he has the talent to get high leverage spots in Tampa. We will wait to see how they use him before making a hierarchy move. 

Hierarchy remains: *Castillo | Fairbanks | Thompson.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — Chalk another one up for the vulture save watch.  Kenley Jansen got the night off so it was Blake Treinen who got the save opportunity in a 1 run game. He converted for his second save of the year. The recently acquired Nate Jones got his first appearance for the Dodgers and threw 5 outs to nab a hold. Jones has closing experience and could make an impact in LA at some point, but he won’t crack the hierarchy just yet. 

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Gonzalez.

New York Mets – After the Mets ran through their entire hierarchy earlier in the game the 12th inning save was left to Aaron Loup protecting a 3 run lead. He gave up a pair of singles to give 2 of them back before getting a crucial double play and getting pulled for Jacob Barnes. Barnes got the last out to snag his first save of the year. The Mets had an off day on Thursday so last night’s heavy usage probably won’t affect their plans for today. 

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | May | Familia.

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners made a flurry of moves after a report of a positive COVID test among their relievers, sending Anthony Misiewicz, Drew Steckenrider, Robert Duggar, and Will Vest to the IL. They brought up a few arms to fill the holes, but most notably activated Keynan Middleton from the IL after a 3-week absence with a bicep injury. Middleton got some work in immediately, pitching a clean 4th inning, and should return to the later innings soon. 

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jonathan Loaisiga (NYY) – Aroldis Chapman has pitched back to back and 3 of 4.
2. Gregory Soto (DET) – Michael Fulmer converted the save chance last night, but has now pitched in 2 of 3 and 3 of 5
3. Ryan Stanek (HOU) – Ryan Pressly has pitched in back-to-back games, but has only thrown 15 pitches. Even so, Stanek is well-rested and could snag a chance today. 
4. Joely Rodriguez (TEX) – Ian Kennedy threw 31 pitches yesterday and could get a rest today. 

Sunday:
1. Mike Mayers/Tony Watson(LAA) – Raisel Iglesias had a 20 pitch outing last night, while Mayers threw 31, so if either go today they will definitely get Sunday off. 
2. Dylan Floro/Anthony Bass(MIA) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Yimi Garcia.
3. Pete Fairbanks/Ryan Thompson(TB) – the same is true for Diego Castillo and Pete Fairbanks, so whoever gets rest today will likely get the call on Sunday. 

After Rafael Dolis meltdown, Jordan Romano could secure next save chance for Toronto

May 21, 2021

Toronto Blue Jays — The way things were shaping up for Toronto on Thursday night, it looked as if there would be a committee leader change for the Blue Jays. Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of Rafael Dolis, but Dolis ran into trouble in the ninth. He allowed two singles, threw a wild pitch, gave up an RBI groundout and then blew the save when he allowed a two-run homer to J.D. Martinez. Dolis’s ERA is now at 5.52, so we’re going to speculate the next save chance goes to Romano. 

Hierarchy remains: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – Tyler Duffey was suspended two games for throwing behind White Sox slugger Yermin Mercedes, a move apparently required by the unwritten rules of baseball and one that did not anger Mercedes’ manager. Duffey already served one game (the second of Thursday’s doubleheader) and will also miss Friday as well. Hansel Robles, meanwhile, scored his second save Thursday for the Twins and could be poised to shake the asterisk with another save or two. 

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Blake Treinen (LAD) — Kenley Jansen has gone in two straight and three of four.

Saturday:
1. Chad Green (NYY) — A Friday outing would be three of four for Aroldis Chapman.
2. Andrew Chafin (CHC) — The above is also true for Craig Kimbrel.
3. Taylor Rogers (MIN) — Ditto for Hansel Robles.

James Karinchak with a second save in two days

May 20, 2021

Cleveland Indians — Make it two straight saves for James Karinchak, this one coming after Emmanuel Clase pitched the eighth. After the game, Terry Francona said that he was playing matchups and Clase was still the closer, but we’re bringing the asterisk back in the meantime. Cleveland’s bullpen has been so good that both these guys are almost universally owned anyway.

Updated hierarchy: *Clase | Karinchak | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants — A few rough outings for Camilo Doval have seen him moved into a lower-leverage role, and Zack Littell has been the beneficiary. Last night, in a one-run game, he pitched the seventh, Jake McGee the eighth, and Tyler Rogers the ninth — after San Francisco had put a few more runs on the board.

Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | McGee | Littell.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — With a three-run lead, Tampa used Diego Castillo in the eighth and Pete Fairbanks in the ninth. Fairbanks put three men on, yielding a run, but picked up his first save of the season. Ryan Thompson struck out three in the seventh, earning a win and the chance to reenter a hierarchy that basically rolls five-deep at this point.

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

San Diego Padres — It’s Craig Stammen who’s been getting the late-inning work in Drew Pomeranz’s absence, pitching ahead of Emilio Pagan twice over the weekend and then getting the eighth inning with a three-run lead on Wednesday.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Pagan | Stammen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jake McGee (SF) — Even with a four-run lead, Tyler Rogers had a stressful ninth on Wednesday, and he’s gone in three of four. McGee has pitched back-to-back, but hasn’t thrown many pitches.
2. Mike Mayers (LAA) — The Angels have a doubleheader today…
3. Taylor Rogers (MIN) — …against the Twins.

Friday:
1. Dylan Floro (MIA) — Yimi Garcia threw 22 pitches in a four-out save on Wednesday. He probably won’t go in three straight.
2. Chris Martin (ATL) — Will Smith has pitched in two straight.
3. Blake Treinen (LAD) — Kenley Jansen has gone in two of three.

James Karinchak grabs a save for Cleveland

May 19, 2021

Cleveland Indians — James Karinchak pitched for the first time in six days on Tuesday, picking up his fourth save of the year. There was no indication postgame from Terry Francona that Karinchak is now his closer, and it’s likely Emmanuel Clase, who threw 26 pitches on Sunday, was getting an extra day of rest. Karinchak’s numbers are hard to ignore, however, and it may not be long before he claims the top spot in the Cleveland hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: Clase | Karinchak | Shaw.

Toronto Blue Jays — Rafael Dolis returned from the IL on Tuesday and got the final three outs in an 8-0 win over the Red Sox. Charlie Montoyo said that he’ll use Dolis anywhere from the sixth inning to the ninth inning. We’ll keep Jordan Romano at the top of this committee for now, but don’t be surprised to see Dolis get the next save chance.

Updated hierarchy: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants – After we moved Tyler Rogers to the top of the Giants’ committee yesterday, it’s fitting that Jake McGee closed out Tuesday’s win with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 11th save of the season. Rogers had pitched in two straight and three of four heading into Tuesday, so a day off was probably in order.

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

Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies activated Archie Bradley off the IL on Tuesday and Bradley ended up with the win after he got the final out in the top of the eighth before his squad took the lead in the bottom half of the frame. Bradley projects to see some high-leverage opportunities, but we’ll see what exactly his workload entails before putting him back on the hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: Neris | Alvarado | Coonrod.

Kansas City Royals – The good news? Josh Staumont has the last two saves for the Royals after closing out Tuesday’s triumph. The bad news? His previous save was on April 28. Staumont remains the best option for saves in Kansas City at the moment, but that means the Royals need to start winning more close games.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trevor May (NYM) – Edwin Diaz has pitched in three straight.
2. Mychal Givens (COL) – Daniel Bard threw 28 pitches over 1.1 IP last night.

Tomorrow
1. Mike Mayers/Tony Watson/Hunter Strickland (LAA) – If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, that will be three of four for him. The same is also true of Mayers and Watson, and the Angels have a doubleheader on Thursday, so maybe Strickland gets a chance for a save with his new team.
2. Jonathan Loaisiga/Chad Green (NYY) – If Aroldis Chapman goes today that will be two straight for him, with the same holding true for Loaisiga and Green.
3. Andrew Chafin (CHC) – A Wednesday appearance would be two in a row for Craig Kimbrel.
4. Chris Martin (ATL) – Ditto for Will Smith.