Devin Williams picked a weird way to celebrate

September 30, 2021

San Francisco Giants – The Giants are going all-in on Camilo Doval, using him and his 102 mph fastball on back-to-back nights to pick up big saves. The youngest Giant to record a save since Rod Beck, Doval is not just the closer of San Francisco’s future — he may well be who they turn to this October as they ease Jake McGee back into the bullpen. Shades of 2002 K-Rod.

Updated hierarchy: *Doval | Rogers | Leone.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers — Milwaukee’s joy at clinching a playoff spot quickly turned to agony, as Devin Williams announced that after the party, he had “a few drinks,” got frustrated about something, and punched a wall, breaking his pitching hand and likely ending his season. There’s an outside chance he could be back for the World Series, but then again, if the team makes it there, he’ll have to survive two more celebrations.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Boxberger | Suter.

New York Yankees — Joanthan Loaisiga returned from the injured list and immediately pitched a perfect seventh in a tied game. That’s enough to get him back on the Yankees’ hierarchy for the remainder of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Green | Loaisiga.

Chicago Cubs — Rowan Wick keeps getting used in the eighth inning, the last two times in front of Codi Heuer, who rebounded from two straight losses to pitch a perfect ninth and earn Wednesday’s save. With only four games left, either Wick or Heuer could get what remains of the Cubs’ save chances.

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

Minnesota Twins — Juan Minaya has moved into second in line in the Twins’ bullpen, displacing Caleb Thielbar.

Updated hierarchy: Colome | Duffey | Minaya.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tyler Rogers (SF) — Camilo Doval is unlikely to go in three straight.
2. Anthony Bender (MIA) — Dylan Floro has pitched in three of four games.
3. Juan Minaya (MIN) — Both Alex Colome and Tyler Duffey have gone in two straight.

Friday:
1. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) — Will Smith has had a heavy workload lately.

Camilo Doval delivers his first MLB save

September 29, 2021

San Francisco Giants – The Giants went with Tony Watson in the seventh and Tyler Rogers in the eighth, leaving the ninth for Camilo Doval, who combined ridiculous heat with a nasty slider to lock down his first MLB save. We’ll move Doval into the hierarchy and see if Gabe Kapler continues to use him as a closer as his team fights for a division title.

Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | Leone | Doval.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Ryan Pressly was unavailable on Tuesday because of some knee trouble, but he should be fine for Wednesday. We’ll keep an eye out to see if Pressly actually is fine. Be prepared for the Astros’ closer to be used sparingly, though, as Houston’s magic number to clinch the division is one. Kendall Graveman, placed on the paternity list Tuesday, or Ryne Stanek could vulture a chance this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: Pressly | Graveman | Stanek.

Pittsburgh Pirates – In his second appearance since returning from the IL, David Bednar struck out two and walked two in a scoreless eighth inning to set up a Chris Stratton save. Stratton appears to be in the lead for saves, but as we wrote yesterday, don’t be surprised to see Bednar earn a chance this week. In fact, Bednar has allowed just two runs (both earned) since July 2.

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

Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen was available on Tuesday night, but Dave Roberts decided to go to a better-rested Blake Treinen for the ninth inning. Treinen converted his seventh save of the season, allowing Roberts to keep his closer “frisky and fresh.”

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Kelly.

Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays activated Andrew Kittredge from the IL. While we’re happy that Kittredge is no longer injured, we’re hoping someone new gets a crack at any save chances this week. The Rays were punished for sending out Josh Fleming (one save in 2021) for the ninth inning instead of JT Chargois (zero saves in 2021) on Tuesday with a 3-2 lead, as the Astros came back to win the game as Chargois couldn’t clean up Fleming’s mess.

Updated hierarchy: *Kittredge | McHugh | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore OriolesCole Sulser rewarded us for putting him at the top of the Baltimore committee with a save on Tuesday night. The Orioles play the Red Sox two more times, so Sulser should see at least one more save chance this week.

Hierarchy remains: *Sulser | Tate | Abad
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — Joanthan Loaisiga is expected to be activated from the IL today. He should immediately see high-leverage chances as the Yankees look to clinch home field advantage for the AL Wild Card game.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Green | Peralta.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) – Will Smith has gone in four of five.
2. Jhoulys Chacin (COL) – Carlos Estevez has thrown 30 pitches over the last two days.
3. Ryne Stanek (HOU) – If Ryan Pressly’s knee still bothers him, Stanek is the next man up with Kendall Graveman on paternity leave.

Tomorrow
1. Anthony Bender (MIA) – If Dylan Floro goes today that will be two straight and three of four.
2. Genesis Cabrera (STL) – Same goes for Giovanny Gallegos.
3. Spencer Patton (TEX) – And Joe Barlow.
4. Tyler Duffey (MIN) – An appearance today would be two straight for Alex Colome, who threw 26 pitches on Tuesday.

Tanner Rainey could get some last minute saves

September 28, 2021

Washington Nationals – Tanner Rainey has looked significantly better since his return from AAA, and last night, the Nats rewarded him with a save chance. He retired the first two hitters before surrendering a walk and a double, but still got the job done, earning his third save of the year. We’re going to put a committee tag on here as it now seems to reason that Rainey and Kyle Finnegan (who pitched the 8th) are sharing the job.

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

Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates welcomed David Bednar back from the IL over the weekend; expect him to return to a high-leverage role — likely sharing save chances with Chris Stratton — in the season’s final week.

Updated hierarchy: *Stratton | Bednar | Shreve.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays – After recording his first save, Nick Anderson needed to head back to the IL with a sore back. The carousel continues to spin.

Updated hierarchy: *McHugh | Fairbanks | Chargois.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Devin Williams – The Brewers may give Josh Hader a second day off after he pitched three straight over the weekend.
2. Craig Kimbrel – Liam Hendriks has gone back to back and four of five.

Tomorrow
1. Jhoulys Chacin – If Carlos Estevez goes tonight, it’s back to back.

Rays extend their record some more

September 27, 2021

Tampa Bay Rays – Nick Anderson became the 14th Ray to record a save this season, extending the team’s MLB record. Can you name them all?

Hierarchy remains: *McHugh | Fairbanks | Anderson.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Tomorrow

1. Richard Rodriguez – After pitching him 3 straight over the weekend, the Braves may opt to give Will Smith a second straight day off.
2. Chasen Shreve – If Chris Stratton goes today, it’s back to back.
3. Craig Kimbrel/Michael Kopech – If Liam Hendriks or Craig Kimbrel go today, it’s back to back and four of five.
4. Josh Staumont – If Scott Barlow goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.

Baltimore shuts down Wells

September 26, 2021

Baltimore Orioles Readers of the Vulture Save Watch knew that Tyler Wells wouldn’t get a save chance yesterday, but it turns out Wells will be out for the rest of the season, as the Orioles placed him on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Cole Sulser was unavailable after pitching back to back days, which left the save chance to Dillon Tate. Tate converted for his 3rd save on the year. We think Sulser will be the main source of Orioles saves down the stretch, but if Baltimore has multiple save chances this week, Tate or Fernando Abad could snag another.

Updated Hierarchy: Sulser* | Tate | Abad
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies placed Archie Bradley on the injured list on Saturday, which means he will miss the rest of the season. The Phillies still have a chance to make the playoffs, so if they get to third option to close, we could see Hector Neris steal a chance later in the week. Keep an eye on the vulture save watch and we will let you know when Kennedy needs a break.

Updated Hierarchy: Kennedy | Alvarado | Neris

Vulture Save Watch:

Today:
1. Emilio Pagan (SD) – Mark Melancon has pitched in 3 straight
2. Michael Lorenzen/Lucas Sims (CIN) – Mychal Givens has pitched back to back, throwing 45 pitches. Lorenzen and Sims have also worked back to back, but kept their pitch counts low.
3. Devin Williams (MIL) – Josh Hader has pitched back to back, and with the Brewers having locked up the division, they may choose to rest Hader.
4. Jose Alvarez/Dominic Leone (SF) – Tyler Rogers and Tony Watson have both pitched back to back and 4 of 5, while Leone threw 24 pitches last night. Alvarez is comparatively rested and may get a shot today.
5. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) – Will Smith has pitched back to back games and may get a rest.
6. Pete Fairbanks/Nick Anderson (TB) – Collin McHugh threw 33 pitches last night. Fairbanks threw 22, while Anderson hasn’t pitched in 3 days.

For Monday:
1. Sergio Romo (OAK) – Today would be back to back and 4 of 5 for Andrew Chafin, although he has kept his pitch count down.