August 28, 2021
Colorado Rockies – We warned you on Thursday and alerted you last night; Daniel Bard has been replaced by Carlos Estevez — at least for now — in Colorado.
Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Bard | Chacin.
Boston Red Sox — Boston’s first save without Matt Barnes went to Adam Ottavino, who worked around a leadoff walk to secure his ninth save of the year. Garret Richards pitched a clean eighth to pick up the hold. This is definitely a committee, and Garrett Whitlock may have been unavailable after throwing 20 pitches on Thursday, but the save chance for Ottavino puts him atop the hierarchy for now.
Updated hierarchy: *Ottavino | Whitlock | Robles.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — They’ve done it again. After the Rays took a four-run lead in the seventh, they turned to Chris Mazza, who finished the game to earn his first career save and become the record-tying 12th Rays reliever with a save this year. In honor of this grand accomplishment, Mazza got optioned to Durham this morning. In other news, Pete Fairbanks returned from the IL, and will immediately rejoin the hierarchy. He was the top save candidate after the Diego Castillo trade, but we’ll have to see how he’ll be used before putting him back there.
Updated hierarchy: *Kittredge | McHugh | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals — Josh Staumont returned from the injured list after only one day, suggesting that his absence was a COVID-19 precaution. He got right back into the mix, picking up the win in extra innings last night.
Updated hierarchy: Barlow | Staumont | Davis.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jose Alvarado (PHI) — Ian Kennedy threw 28 pitches last night.
Sunday:
1. Taylor Clarke/Noe Ramirez (ARI) — Today would be back to back and three out of four for Tyler Clippard and Taylor Clarke.
2. Michael Fulmer (DET) — Same for Gregory Soto.
3. Kendall Graveman (HOU) — And Ryan Pressly.
4. Tyler Duffey/Caleb Thielbar (MIN) — And Alex Colome/Tyler Duffey.
5. Giovanny Gallegos/Genesis Cabrera (STL) — And Alex Reyes/Giovanny Gallegos.
6. Andres Machado/Michael Voth (WAS) — And Kyle Finnegan/Andres Machado.
