September 20, 2021
Boston Red Sox – Garrett Richards has taken well to his bullpen assignment (20.2 IP, 2 ER — though he also allowed 5 unearned in one particularly ugly outing) and the Red Sox have rewarded him with some higher-leverage work. He closed out victories both Saturday and Sunday, with the latter coming in a save situation. We’ll slide him on to the hierarchy for now and see how Boston continues to deploy its pen going forward.
Updated hierarchy: *Ottavino | Robles | Richards.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Kyle Funkhouser got the save on Sunday, with Michael Fulmer getting the day off. If you read the Vulture Save Watch, you already knew this.
Hierarchy remains: Fulmer | Funkhouser | Lange.
Chicago Cubs – Rowan Wick posted a forgettable outing on Sunday, entering with a four-run lead and allowing five baserunners (including three walks) before Michael Rucker came on to bail him out. It was Rucker’s first save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Wick | Heuer | Morgan.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Adam Cimber – Jordan Romano has gone back to back.
2. Josh Staumont – The Royals have a doubleheader…
3. Bryan Shaw – …against the Indians.
Tomorrow
1. Genesis Cabrera – If Giovanny Gallegos goes today, it’s three straight.
2. Andres Machado – If Kyle Finnegan goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
3. Trevor May – Same for Edwin Diaz.
4. Richard Rodriguez – Same for Will Smith.
