August 7, 2021
Chicago White Sox –Craig Kimbrel came in to protect a three-run lead in the eighth inning, but a three-run homer by Andrew Romine handed him a blown save for the first time since May 15. The White Sox would go on to win in the 10th inning, with Liam Hendriks picking up the win. Kimbrel has only made two appearances for the White Sox, but both have come in the eighth ahead of Hendriks. The White Sox have said that Kimbrel and Hendriks will split save chances, but it looks like Hendriks is the top choice in this committee for now.
Updated hierarchy: *Hendriks | Kimbrel | Kopech.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks — The bullpen came up big for the Diamondbacks yesterday. Matt Peacock combined 4.2 scoreless innings with a go-ahead two-RBI single to really earn the relief win. He also stole a base and came around to score, drawing a comparison to Willie Mays from Torey Lovullo. In more typical bullpen news, Sean Poppen pitched two clean innings to earn his first career save while Tylers Clippard and Gilbert were down. Poppen is on his third team of the year (previously with Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay) and has mostly been used in mop-up duty, but given the state of the Arizona bullpen since Joakim Soria departed, Poppen’s save gets him on the hierarchy until someone else takes his spot.
Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Gilbert | Poppen.
New York Mets — Edwin Diaz was activated from the paternity list Friday and the Mets immediately threw him into the eighth inning down by a run. The sleep deprivation that comes with a newborn can be rough, so he gets a pass for pointing to the sky as if a routine pop up wasn’t actually a ball that traveled 440 feet to dead center. However, the Mets are fighting for their playoff lives and can’t afford to let any games slip away. We will keep an eye on this situation as Diaz’s seat heats up.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | May | Lugo.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Mike Mayers/Junior Guerra (LAA) — Raisel Iglesias has pitched three in a row, while Steve Cishek is on the bereavement list, meaning any save chance could fall to Mayers or Guerra, who has been pitching well.
2. Caleb Thielbar (MIN) — Alex Colome and Tyler Duffey have both pitched back-to-back and three of four.
Sunday:
1. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) — Today would be three in a row for Alex Reyes.
2. Kyle Ryan (CHC) — Today would be back to back and three of four for Codi Heuer. Ryan has pitched back-to-back games himself, but has only thrown 14 pitches.
3. Tyler Rogers/Dominic Leone (SF) — The entire Giants hierarchy has pitched back-to-back, but Jake McGee has kept his pitch counts low and would probably be called on for a save chance today. This leaves Sunday wide open.
4. Blake Treinen/Joe Kelly (LAD) — Today would be two straight and three of four for Kenley Jansen, Treinen and Kelly, so whoever pitches today would likely be out Sunday.
5. Jake Diekman (OAK) — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Lou Trivino.
6. Jose Alvarado (PHI) — Same for Ian Kennedy.
