August 19, 2021
New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman returned from his injury absence and Aaron Boone announced that he would immediately resume his role as New York’s closer. With a four-run lead, Chapman gave up a solo home run — his seventh on the year, tying his career high — then was pulled for Lucas Luetge after he put two more guys on base. Luetge got a single out to earn his first save of the season, and also his first since August 21, 2012. (Covered, naturally, by Closer Monkey.) Chapman is still looking to recapture his command, but (for now at least) he’ll be doing so in the ninth inning.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Loaisiga | Green.
Toronto Blue Jays — Toronto has a Brad Hand problem. The lefty surrendered a walk-off walk last Friday, and yesterday he gave up a seventh-inning lead with three runs allowed to his old crew from Washington. Opponents are hitting over 100 points better against Hand since the trade, and he’s given up three home runs in only six innings. We won’t take Hand out of the hierarchy until it’s clear that the Jays have, but we can’t see him getting a shot at a save opportunity anytime soon either.
Updated hierarchy: *Romano | Cimber | Hand.
*=closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants — We’ve been keeping our eye on the Giants’ seventh-inning situation, and Dominic Leone pitched there again Wednesday, after Zack Littell nailed down the fourth and fifth. San Francisco has several effective relievers to choose from in the late innings — including last year’s closer, Tony Watson, who has three holds in the last week and hasn’t given up a run since he was traded here from the Angels — but we think Leone belongs in the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: *McGee | Rogers | Leone.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — The Mariners went with Drew Steckenrider in the ninth on Wednesday, clarifying that although Diego Castillo is a mainstay in the eighth inning, he’s the third option for save chances in this committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Sewald | Steckenrider | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers — When Josh Hader pitched the ninth inning in a tied game, that left the save opportunity in the tenth for Devin Williams, who converted it.
Hierarchy remains: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tyler Duffey (MIN) — Alex Colome has pitched in three of four, including a 31-pitch blown save on Wednesday.
2. Wade Davis (KC) — Scott Barlow gave up three hits in a rocky save last night, and it was his third appearance in four days. Jake Brentz had pitched in three straight before getting yesterday off and Josh Staumont has gone in two in a row, so we’re going to go off-menu and predict a save chance for Davis.
3. Brad Boxberger (MIL) — Josh Hader has pitched in three of four, and Devin Williams four of five.
4. Craig Kimbrel (CHW) — Liam Hendriks earned a five-out save Wednesday and has pitched in two of three and three of five.
5. Giovanny Gallegos/Genesis Cabrera (STL) — Alex Reyes hadn’t pitched in almost a week, but he went two innings yesterday (32 pitches). Gallegos needed 26 pitches himself.
6. Taylor Clarke (ARI) — Tyler Clippard has pitched in two straight, miraculously garnering consecutive saves for Arizona.
Friday:
1. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) — Will Smith has pitched in three of four and might get rested Friday even after Thursday’s off day.
2. Blake Treinen (LAD) — An appearance by Kenley Jansen would mark three of four.
3. Drew Steckenrider (SEA) — Paul Sewald has gone in two straight.
