June 16, 2021
Texas Rangers — Josh Sborz was one strike away from earning his second save of the year on Tuesday, but he allowed a solo homer to Carlos Correia that sent the game to extras. In the 10th, it was Demarcus Evans’ turn to blow a save, as he allowed a walk-off grand slam after throwing seven straight balls at one point (along with some strikes that were called balls). There was good news from Tuesday, though, as Chris Woodward said that Ian Kennedy is expected to be activated today. No Ranger recorded a save in Kennedy’s absence, including Joely Rodriguez, who was unavailable on Tuesday despite not having pitched since Saturday.
Updated hierarchy: Kennedy | Sborz | Martin.
New York Mets – Seth Lugo struck out three Cubs over the final two innings on Tuesday to pick up his first save of the season. Lugo is the top late-inning option for the Mets behind Edwin Diaz, who got a night off after working three of the past four nights.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Lugo | Castro.
Cincinnati Reds — It looked like Heath Hembree was going to earn a 10th-inning save on Tuesday, but after recording the first two outs of the frame he had to settle for a 31-pitch hold. Amir Garrett finished the job, striking out the only batter he faced to collect his third save of the season. Lucas Sims threw a scoreless ninth inning to get the game to extras. Garrett now has four straight scoreless appearances to his credit and has earned a spot back on the Cincinnati hierarchy, at least until Tejay Antone returns this weekend.
Updated hierarchy: *Sims | Hembree | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — Luke Jackson continued his impressive season on Tuesday with a perfect seventh inning to keep the game tied. Jackson hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last 13 appearances (11.1 IP), striking out 12 and walking just three in that stretch to lower his ERA to 1.07.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Martin | Jackson.
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers stayed away from Jose Cisnero after he threw 26 pitches on Monday, so Gregory Soto closed out Tuesday’s win for his sixth save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: *Cisnero | Soto | Fulmer.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s – The Vulture Save Watch told you that Yusmeiro Petit would get Tuesday’s save chance, and sure enough Petit notched his second save of the season while Lou Trivino and Jake Diekman enjoyed a night off.
Hierarchy remains: Trivino | Diekman | Petit.
Los Angeles Dodgers – We were right in thinking that Kenley Jansen would be unavailable, but despite having a similar workload as Jansen, Blake Treinen was available on Tuesday and grabbed his third save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Nelson.
Miami Marlins – A name to watch in the Marlins bullpen is Anthony Bender, who kept his ERA at 0.00 through 18 games with a perfect seventh inning on Tuesday. That stat is even more impressive when you consider that Bender was playing independent ball last year before the Marlins signed him. Bender has struck out 22 and walked just five since making his MLB debut on May 5.
Hierarchy remains: Garcia | Floro | Bass.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Adam Ottavino (BOS) – Matt Barnes has pitched in two straight. The Sox have Thursday off, but they may want to give Barnes an extra day of rest.
2. Bryan Shaw (CLE) – Both Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak have pitched back-to-back days, with Karinchak having gone in three of four.
3. Carlos Estevez (COL) – Daniel Bard has gone in two straight.
4. Brad Boxberger (MIL) – Boxberger took a 10th-inning loss last night but he may get a chance to redeem himself today because Josh Hader and Devin Williams have both pitched in three of four and the Brewers also play Thursday.
5. Daniel Ponce de Leon (STL) – Alex Reyes has pitched in two straight and three of four, while Giovanny Gallegos has gone in two straight.
Tomorrow
1. Aaron Bummer/Garrett Crochet (CHW) – If Liam Hendriks goes today, that will be two straight and three of four.
2. Sean Doolittle (CIN) – The same goes for Lucas Sims. Heath Hembree and Amir Garrett have both pitched in three straight and may need a couple days off, so Doolittle could get a chance on Thursday.
3. Zack Britton/Chad Green (NYY) – If Aroldis Chapman or Britton go today that will be two straight.
