June 20, 2021
Minnesota Twins — With the Twins protecting a one-run lead, Hansel Robles got the 8th inning hold, and Taylor Rogers got the 9th inning to pick up his 7th save of the season. Rogers has now recorded the last three non-extra inning saves for the Twins and that is enough to move him to the top of the committee. However, this is still a pretty fluid situation as evidenced by Rogers getting the 8th and Robles getting the 9th on Friday in a tie game.
Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | Robles | Duffey.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals — Fantasy owners can thank Wander Suero for gifting Brad Hand an easy save yesterday. With the Nationals up by four in the last inning of the second game of the doubleheader, Suero put a couple runners on with two outs, and that allowed Hand to come in and retire one batter on one pitch for the save. About a month ago it looked like Hand might be losing his grip on the closer’s role in Washington but he has now converted eleven straight save opportunities.
Hierarchy remains: Hand | Finnegan | Rainey.
Seattle Mariners – Kendall Graveman got the save opportunity yesterday but he could not get the job done as he allowed a two-out game-tying homer for the blown save. Graveman has now given up an earned run in three of his four appearances since returning from the IL after not allowing any earned runs in his first 14 appearances. We will see if Graveman can settle back in and take control of the Mariners’ job or if this opens up more opportunities for Rafael Montero and Drew Steckenrider.
Hierarchy remains: *Graveman | Montero | Steckenrider.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Cole Sulser (BAL) – Paul Fry has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Kyle Crick (PIT) – Richard Rodriguez has also pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Tyler Duffy (MIN) – Taylor Rogers has pitched in two straight and three of four while Hansel Robles has gone in two straight.
4. Drew Steckenrider (SEA) – Kendall Graveman has pitched in two straight, including the blown save yesterday while Rafael Montero has pitched in three of four.
5. Kyle Finnegan (WAS) – Brad Hand has pitched in two straight and three of four, although he only needed one pitch yesterday for the save.
6. Brooks Raley (HOU) – Ryan Pressly and Ryne Stanek have both gone in two straight.
Monday
1. Devin Williams (MIL) – If Josh Hader pitches today, it will be three straight.
2. Seth Lugo/Miguel Castro (NYM) – The Mets have a doubleheader on Monday and their bullpen has been used a lot recently.
3. Chris Martin (ATL) – The Braves are playing the Mets in that doubleheader.
4. Emilio Pagan (SD) – If Mark Melancon pitches today, it will be two straight and three of four.
