August 20, 2021
Seattle Mariners — The Mariners held a five-run lead in the ninth on Thursday, but that quickly vanished. Anthony Misiewicz started the ninth by allowing three straight hits. Diego Castillo was no better, walking in a run before allowing a game-tying, three-run shot. He managed to retire the final batter of the inning but the damage was done. After Seattle took the lead in the top half of the 11th, Paul Sewald was called in to preserve the lead and he allowed an unearned run but converted his sixth save. Seattle’s situation in the ninth is as murky as any team outside of Tampa, but the team is 10 games above .500 and continues to play in close games, so it seems save chances will be plentiful moving forward. We think Sewald is the one to own, even if some of the opportunities go to his teammates.
Hierarchy remains: *Sewald | Steckenrider | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman had a rough outing Wednesday, so manager Aaron Boone decided to give his closer the day off and turned to Chad Green, who allowed a run but managed to earn his sixth save. Zack Britton pitched the eighth inning and Jonathan Loaisiga was rested again after he tossed two innings on Tuesday.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Loaisiga | Green.
Los Angeles Angels — Austin Warren tossed the final two innings Thursday for his first save this season. Raisel Iglesias got a four-out save Sunday and also pitched Wednesday, so perhaps rest was in order. Mike Mayers, meanwhile, pitched the seventh inning Thursday ahead of Warren, who has been pitching in Angels wins lately, but is typically the first reliever out of the pen. We’ll monitor his usage in the coming days and weeks, but for now, let’s keep this hierarchy the way it is.
Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Cishek | Mayers.
Houston Astros – Christian Javier was called upon Thursday to secure his second save after Ryan Pressly pitched the ninth in a tie game. While he doesn’t normally figure into the late-inning plans for Houston, Javier has been effective out of the bullpen this season (2.84 ERA overall with 107 Ks in 85.2 IP).
Hierarchy remains: Pressly | Graveman | Stanek.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Arizona activated Noe Ramirez from the COVID IL on Thursday. We expected him to factor into the late-inning mix before he hit the IL, so we’ll slide him back into the hierarchy and see how the Diamondbacks deploy him.
Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Clarke | Ramirez.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen got the night off Thursday after pitching in two of three, giving way for Blake Treinen to strike out the side in the ninth for his fourth save.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Knebel.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Drew Steckenrider (SEA) – Paul Sewald has pitched in three straight games.
2. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) – Even with the off day Thursday, Will Smith has gone in three of five.
Saturday:
1. Jake Diekman (OAK) – A Friday outing would be three in four days for Lou Trivino.
2. Spencer Patton (TEX) – Joe Barlow threw two innings on 27 pitches Thursday and if he goes Friday, he would likely need a breather Saturday.
3. Tyler Duffey (MIN) – If he goes Friday, it would be four of six for Alex Colome.
4. Jake Brentz (KC) – Same as above for Scott Barlow.
5. Devin Williams/Brad Boxberger (MIL) – Ditto for Josh Hader. If Devin Williams pitches Friday, it’d be five of seven for him.
6. Craig Kimbrel (CHW) – An outing Friday would be three of five for Liam Hendriks.
