July 21, 2021
New York Yankees — It had been a month since Aroldis Chapman had earned a save, but despite allowing a solo homer to Andrew McCutchen, the struggling reliever stuck out Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins and Didi Gregorius to convert his first save opportunity since that disastrous outing against the Mets on July 4. Not only did Chapman get the save, but his velocity was great, particularly in the final two at-bats of the night. In other news, Jonathan Loaisiga is back with the team and could return this weekend while Darren O’Day will have season-ending surgery.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Green | Britton.
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers have opened the second half of the season on a five-game win streak, with Gregory Soto earning a pair of saves in that stretch, including his ninth of the year on Tuesday. Soto has the team’s last three saves and if he locks down the next one he should lose the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: *Soto | Cisnero | Funkhouser.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds – The Reds continued to deploy their relievers in the toughest spots on Tuesday, as Brad Brach entered the seventh with two runners on and pitched out of the jam. That set the stage for Heath Hembree to get the eighth with the Mets’ 4-5-6 hitters due up. Hembree gave up a run but kept the Reds in front to allow Amir Garrett to come on and work around a leadoff walk to pick up his seventh save of the season. Hembree had consistently been getting the ninth inning prior to Tuesday and should still be the favorite for save chances, but we’ll keep an eye on this to see if the asterisk needs to return.
Hierarchy remains: Hembree | Brach | Garrett.
Kansas City Royals — After Scott Barlow maintained a 5-2 lead against the Brewers’ 3-4-5-6 hitters in the eighth inning, Greg Holland shut the door in the ninth to pick up the Royals’ first save since July 4. Barlow remains the most likely Royals reliever to collect a save, but as we saw on Tuesday, he may pitch earlier depending on matchups.
Hierarchy remains: *Barlow | Holland | Staumont.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – With two lefties due up in the eighth, the Giants went to Jake McGee in that spot to protect a one-run lead, leaving the ninth for Tyler Rogers. The reliable righty was unusually awful, however, as he wasn’t close to the strike zone in a pair of walks before he allowed the game-winning home run. The good news for any Rogers owners is that Gabe Kapler won’t hesitate to get Rogers back on the mound.
Hierarchy remains: *McGee | Rogers | Leone.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brad Brach/Sean Doolittle (CIN) – All three members of the Reds hierarchy have gone in two straight and three of four, but Brach has thrown significantly fewer pitches than Heath Hembree and Amir Garrett.
2. Tyler Rogers (SF) – Gabe Kapler said he wants to get Rogers back out on the mound, and that may be for a save chance tonight since Jake McGee has gone in two straight.
3. Giovanny Gallegos/Andrew Miller (STL) – Alex Reyes has gone in three of four, including a 30-pitch blown save (snapping his 24-save streak to start his career) last night. Giovanny Gallegos, Genesis Cabrera and Ryan Helsley have also gone in three of four, but Gallegos only tossed nine pitches last night. If you’re desperate you can take a shot on a guy like Andrew Miller.
4. Pete Fairbanks (TB) – Diego Castillo has gone in two straight.
Tomorrow
1. Chad Green/Zack Britton (NYY) – If Aroldis Chapman pitches today that’s two straight and three of four, which would also be true of Green and Britton.
2. Tyler Rogers (SF) – As mentioned above, Jake McGee has pitched in two straight heading into Wednesday.
