Craig Kimbrel finally gets a save for the White Sox

August 27, 2021

Kansas City Royals – Josh Staumont went on the IL Thursday, though no reason was given. Domingo Tapia, who has three holds in his last three appearances, enters the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Barlow | Davis | Tapia.

Miami Marlins – After a four-run lead became a two-run lead in the ninth inning, Dylan Floro came on to retire the only batter he faced and earn the save. Anthony Bender had maintained that four-run lead with a scoreless eighth inning and also pitched the seventh inning on Wednesday, with Floro picking up a 10th-inning win. We’ll keep an eye out to see if this was just a flukey couple of games or if Floro has truly overtaken Bender in the Miami bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: *Bender | Floro | Bass.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Jose Alvarado returned from the IL on Thursday. He should slide right back into his usual high-leverage role for the Phillies.

Updated hierarchy: Kennedy | Alvarado | Bradley.

Chicago White Sox — The Vulture Save Watch predicted that Liam Hendriks might get a second day off and that was indeed the case as Craig Kimbrel needed just six pitches (all strikes) to collect his first save with the White Sox.

Hierarchy remains: *Hendriks | Kimbrel | Kopech.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks — The Diamondbacks entered the ninth inning with an 8-3 lead, but Brett de Geus and a bad defense behind him made sure things got interesting. He was able to get two outs but departed with an 8-5 lead and a runner on second. Noe Ramirez came in, and after a walk, passed ball and single, he was able to get a strikeout to end the game and pick up the save. Amazingly, all five of the runs Arizona allowed in the ninth inning wee unearned.

Hierarchy remains: Clippard | Clarke | Ramirez.

San Francisco Giants — The Giants gave Jake McGee the night off after he threw 24 pitches on Wednesday, so Tyler Rogers converted Thursday’s save chance.

Hierarchy remains: *McGee | Rogers | Leone.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Wade Davis (KC) — After throwing 31 pitches in a blown save on Wednesday, Scott Barlow needed just eight pitches on Thursday, but still should get Friday off.
2. Chad Green (NYY) — Aroldis Chapman has pitched in three of four and Jonathan Loaisiga threw 30 pitches over two innings yesterday.

Saturday:
1. Blake Treinen/Corey Knebel (LAD) — If Kenley Jansen (or Treinen and Knebel) pitch today, that will be three of four.
2. Andres Machado/Austin Voth (WAS) — Same goes for Kyle Finnegan and Machado.

Matt Barnes out in Boston; Daniel Bard on the way in Colorado

August 26, 2021

Boston Red Sox — After Matt Barnes’s latest implosion and prior to the start of Wednesday’s game, Alex Cora confirmed that Barnes was not likely to get the next save chance. Cora name-checked several ninth-inning options, including Hansel Robles — who saved the Red Sox on Tuesday night, but gave up five runs in the tenth last night — sometime-starter Garrett Richards, and rookie Garrett Whitlock. Adam Ottavino didn’t get a mention, but the eighth-inning mainstay has eight saves already. We think this will be a true committee for at least the next few days, and the combination of performance and workload leads us to think Whitlock will get the next shot.

Updated hierarchy: *Whitlock | Ottavino | Robles.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies — With a three-run homer that would have been an out in any stadium but Wrigley, Daniel Bard blew his eighth save of the year and put his position as Colorado’s closer in serious danger. The Rockies came back to win the game, but Bud Black said the coaching staff will talk over what to do going into Thursday’s off day. We’d give Carlos Estevez (two saves, 8.74 K/9, 4.14 FIP) an edge over Jhoulys Chacin (no career saves, 6.89 K/9, 4.76 FIP) if you’re looking to speculate in the meantime.

Hierarchy remains: Bard | Estevez | Chacin.

Cincinnati Reds — Tejay Antone is indeed back on the IL, with forearm tightness and what the Reds fear might be another extended absence and possible surgery. Best wishes to Antone for a quick recovery.

Hierarchy remains: Givens | Lorenzen | Sims.

Chicago Cubs — Lefty Adam Morgan, who has quietly been the Cubs’ most effective reliever since the All-Star break, effectively protected a three-run lead in game one of Wednesday’s doubleheader. The veteran Morgan has overcome injury woes over the last two seasons to become a key man in the Chicago bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: *Wick | Heuer | Morgan.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — Joe Kelly was activated from the COVID-19 IL on Wednesday and should return to sharing seventh-inning duties with Corey Knebel. Kelly got one out in the seventh last night, several hours before eighth-in-line Shane Greene pitched a scoreless sixteenth to earn his first save in a few years.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Treinen | Kelly.

Toronto Blue Jays — Joakim Soria was activated from the IL, but didn’t pitch on Wednesday. We’ll keep an eye on his usage going forward to see if he can crack the hierarchy again.

Hierarchy remains: *Romano | Cimber | Hand.
*=closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Josh Staumont (KC) — Scott Barlow threw 31 pitches in a blown save on Wednesday.
2. Adam Cimber (TOR) — Jordan Romano has pitched in two of three and four of six.
3. Craig Kimbrel (CHW) — Liam Hendriks might get a second day off.
4. Jonathan Loaisiga (NYY) — Aroldis Chapman could be back in a closer committee.

Friday:
1. Tyler Rogers (SF) — Jake McGee needed 24 pitches to get the save last night.
2. Andres Machado (WAS) — Kyle Finnegan has gone in two straight.
3. Blake Treinen (LAD) — Same with Kenley Jansen.

Matt Barnes booed off the mound and potentially out of the closer’s role

August 25, 2021

Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes was called upon to protect a three-run lead against the Twins in the ninth inning and proceeded to allow a leadoff homer followed by two walks before being mercifully pulled by Alex Cora. Hansel Robles was the next man up and, facing the team that traded him to Boston, retired all three batters he faced to pick up his first save as a member of the Red Sox. After the game, Cora said that he didn’t want to pick on Barnes but that they’re concerned and that they have to make adjustments. It remains to be seen if those adjustments will officially include time off from the ninth inning, but it wouldn’t hurt to pick up Adam Ottavino if he’s still available in your league.

Hierarchy remains: Barnes | Ottavino | Taylor.

New York Yankees – Tasked with protecting a two-run lead in the ninth inning against Atlanta, Aroldis Chapman retired two of the first two hitters he faced. Two walks and an infield single derailed his inning, however, and Wandy Peralta won a fierce battle with Freddie Freeman to leave the bases loaded and earn the save. We’ll keep an eye on how much of a leash Aaron Boone gives Chapman going forward and whether Peralta, Jonathan Loaisiga or Chad Green become Boone’s preferred ninth-inning options. Zack Britton’s name isn’t on that list, as surgery is now a possibility after he landed on the IL with an elbow strain.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Loaisiga | Green.

Cincinnati Reds – It was a rough night for the entire Reds bullpen, but we feel especially bad for Tejay Antone. After working to finally be activated after a lengthy IL stint, Antone called for a trainer after just five pitches and had to leave the game. David Bell said that Antone definitely felt something in his elbow and that they’ll learn more tomorrow.

Hierarchy remains: Givens | Lorenzen | Sims.

Detroit Tigers — When a 4-0 lead in the eighth inning became a 4-1 lead, the Tigers turned to Michael Fulmer to get out of a jam and prevent further damage. Fulmer allowed two inherited runners to score but got out of the jam with a one-run advantage. He then stayed on for a perfect ninth inning to earn the save and give Gregory Soto and extra day of rest. Fulmer appears to have overtaken Jose Cisnero as Soto’s handcuff.

Updated hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Cisnero.

Seattle Mariners – With the Mariners holding a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh, Drew Steckenrider entered to face the go-ahead run and induced a flyout to end the frame. When the Mariners added two runs in the top of the eighth, Steckenrider stayed on for the final two innings to earn the save.

Hierarchy remains: *Sewald | Steckenrider | Sadler.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates – David Bednar got the day off, so Chris Stratton pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his second save of the season. Congrats to everyone who not only read the Vulture Save Watch but knew the lowly Pirates would beat the lowlier Diamondbacks.

Hierarchy remains: *Bednar | Stratton | Shreve.
*=closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals — The Nationals optioned Gabe Klobosits to Triple-A Rochester. Welcome back to the hierarchy, Austin Voth.

Updated hierarchy *Finnegan | Machado | Voth.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Josh Taylor (BOS) – Even if Matt Barnes somehow keeps his job, he’s pitched in two straight and could use a night off. Meanwhille, Adam Ottavino has gone in three of four.
2. Carlos Estevez (COL) – The Rockies play a doubleheader…
3. Codi Heuer (CHC) – …against the Cubs.
4. Craig Kimbrel (CHW) – Liam Hendriks threw 39 pitches over 1.2 innings last night.
5. Devin Williams (MIL) – Josh Hader has pitched in three of four.
6. Collin McHugh (TB) – Andrew Kittredge threw 26 pitches to complete a two-inning save last night.

Tomorrow
1. Steve Cishek/Mike Mayers (LAA) – If Raisel Iglesias goes today that’ll be two in a row. Cishek enters today having pitched in three of four.
2. Blake Treinen (LAD) – A Wednesday appearance by Kenley Jansen or any of the Dodgers’ hierarchy members will be their second in a row.
3. Devin Williams/Brad Boxberger (MIL) – If Josh Hader pitches today that’ll be two straight and four of five.

Jake Brentz, Zack Britton placed on the IL

August 24, 2021

New York Yankees – Zack Britton was placed on the IL with a left elbow sprain. The injury appears minor, but there isn’t a timetable for his return yet.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Loaisiga | Green.

Kansas City Royals – Jake Brentz was placed on the IL with a shoulder injury, though he isn’t expected to miss much time. Josh Staumont becomes the temporary handcuff for Scott Barlow.

Updated hierarchy: Barlow | Staumont | Davis.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Adam Cimber – Jordan Romano has gone in three of four and might get the night off; if not, he’ll definitely be down tomorrow.
2. Chris Stratton – Likewise for David Bednar.

Tomorrow
1. Jonathan Loaisiga – If Aroldis Chapman goes tonight, it’s back to back.
2. Carlos Estevez – If Daniel Bard goes tonight, it’s back to back and three of four.

Rays get their 11th different reliever a save

August 23, 2021

Detroit Tigers – Old friend Joe Jimenez got an 11th inning save on Sunday, his first of the season. He doesn’t factor in to the Tigers usual late inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Soto | Cisnero | Fulmer.

Tampa Bay Rays – Another reliever got a save for the Rays on Sunday, and this one was of the three-inning variety, with Josh Fleming finishing off a 9-run victory. Fleming has been a starter or bulk innings guy for most of the year and doesn’t figure to get another save chance; still, the Rays efforts to challenge their record for most relievers to record a save is pretty darn impressive.

Hierarchy remains: *Kittredge | McHugh | Chargois.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – Michael Lorenzen picked up his third save of the year on Sunday, just like the Vulture Save Watch said he would. Mychal Givens should be back in action for the next save chance.

Hierarchy remains: Givens | Lorenzen | Sims.

Seattle Mariners – Yohan Ramirez picked up his first save, getting the last two outs of the 11th inning after most of the team’s other key relievers had pitched.

Hierarchy remains: *Sewald | Steckenrider | Sadler.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Richard Rodriguez – Will Smith has gone back to back.

Tomorrow
1. Kendall Graveman – If Ryan Pressly goes tonight, it’s back to back.