Hansel Robles records another save while the AL Wild Card chase could result in extra save opportunities this season

October 3, 2021

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox went to Adam Ottavino again in the 8th inning and he struggled.  Ottavino was trying to protect a one-run lead but he was pulled after allowing a double and a pair of walks while only recording one out.  After the Red Sox scored four runs in the top of the 9th and Austin Davis made a mess of things to start the bottom of the 9th, Hansel Robles came on to record the final three outs.  That’s two straight saves for Robles, while Ottavino hasn’t recorded a save in over a month.  Not that it matters much with this being the last day of the regular season, but we will move Robles to the head of this committee.

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

San Francisco Giants – Jake McGee has been activated from the IL, and will give the Giants another option to close out games.  However, with the way Camilo Doval has pitched, we will leave him atop this committee.  

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

Chicago Cubs — Rowan Wick struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his fifth save of the season.  Wick had a couple of very rough outings in the middle of September, but overall he performed pretty well in the closer’s role and could have a shot to start the season in that role next year.

Hierarchy remains: *Wick | Heuer | Morgan.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners – The Mariners kept their playoff hopes alive yesterday with an 8th inning rally and Drew Steckenrider closed it out for his 14th save of the season.  Steckenrider and Paul Sewald both ended up with double-digit saves for the Mariners this year and will hope for one more opportunity on the last day of the regular season, and maybe another one on Monday.

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

Atlanta Braves — Richard Rodriguez was trying to pick up his first save since joining the Braves as he entered the 9th inning to protect a three-run lead.  However, Rodriguez was pulled after allowing a couple of runs, and Jacob Webb came on to get the last out and record his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Smith | Rodriguez | Jackson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Barnes (BOS) – Hansel Robles has pitched in two straight and four of five while Adam Ottavino has pitched in three straight.
2. Codi Heuer (CHC) – Rowan Wick has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Craig Kimbrel (CHW) – Liam Hendriks has pitched in two straight.
4. David Bednar (PIT) – Chris Stratton has pitched in two straight.
5. Jake McGee (SF) – Camilo Doval has pitched in two straight and four of five.

Monday
1. Adam Ottavino (BOS) – If Hansel Robles pitches on Sunday and the Red Sox end up in a tie-breaker game 163 on Monday, Ottavino could see a save chance.
2. Paul Sewald (SEA) – If the Mariners end up playing a 163rd game on Monday, Sewald could be an option to save if Drew Steckenrider is needed today.

Trivino earns first save since August.

October 2, 2021

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox used Adam Ottavino to protect a 3 run lead in the 8th inning of a must win game, leaving the 9th for Hansel Robles. Ottavino gave up a solo homer, while Robles worked around a couple walks to close the game out. The Red Sox are in a battle for their playoff lives, and going into the last two games the bullpen has been stretched pretty thin, with Ottavino pitching back to back, Robles in 3 of 4 and Barnes 3 straight. Keep an eye on the vulture save watch to see who has the best chance to close over the next couple days. 

Hierarchy Remains: *Ottavino | Robles | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee


Oakland A’s — After the Houston Astros scored 4 runs in the 8th inning, Lou Trivino came in to stop the bleeding with 2 outs, he got out of the jam and stuck around for the 9th inning. Although he let the tying run get to second base, he didn’t allow any runs to earn his 22nd save of the year. Trivino had been spectacular early in the season, only to have a brutal 2 week stretch that saw him removed form the closers role in early September, so it is good to see him get back on track. Andrew Chafin and Sergio Romo were both rested yesterday, so they will likely get any other save chances this weekend, but Trivino’s performance yesterday gets him back on the hierarchy to end the year. 

Updated Hierarchy: *Chafin | Romo | Trivino.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians — After over a month with the Columbus Clippers, the Indians recalled James Karinchak yesterday and he immediately pitched a scoreless 7th inning. Karinchak will look to build some momentum going into next season, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Indians give him another look in the final two games, although it isn’t likely going to be in a save situation with Clase well rested. 

Updated Hierarchy: Clase | Shaw | Karinchak.

Vulture Save Watch:

Today:

  1. Adam Cimber/Tim Mayza (TOR) – Jordan Romano threw 32 pitches last night, and will likely need a day of rest even with Toronto competing for the playoffs.
  2. Jose Alvarez/Tyler Rogers (SF) – Camilo Doval has pitched in 3 of the last 4, and the entire San Francisco Hierarchy could use a rest. Jose Alvarez is the best rested reliever they have going into today.
  3. Blake Treinen (LAD) – Kenley Jansen threw 21 pitches last night, and with the Dodgers playing after the Giants today, they may already know if they still have a chance to tie for the division lead. Treinen is comparatively well rested, and could see a save chance this weekend.

For Sunday:

  1. Hansel Robles/Matt Barnes (BOS) – Today would be 3 in a row for Adam Ottavino, while Hansel Robles threw 22 pitches last night. With Boston fighting for a playoff spot, expect them to push their entire hierarchy.
  2. Craig Kimbrel (CHW) – Today would be back to back for Liam Hendriks, and with the White Sox already locked into their playoff spot, they are unlikely to use him again.
  3. Steve Cishek/Mike Mayers (LAA) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Raisel Iglesies and Steve Cishek, so if either pitch today, they would likely be unavailable Sunday.

The MLB teams still alive could lean on their top bullpen arms this weekend

October 1, 2021

St. Louis Cardinals – Luis Garcia nailed down the final two outs for his second save Thursday. Giovanny Gallegos pitched Sunday and Tuesday, and now that the Cardinals have clinched a playoff spot, it appears Gallegos was getting a little more rest ahead of next week’s Wild Card game. 

Hierarchy remains: Gallegos | Cabrera | Garcia.

Miami Marlins – Catcher Sandy Leon managed to get into his sixth game as a reliever on Thursday, allowing a run in 0.1 IP to balloon his ERA to…7.50. He’s allowed five runs in six innings this season. He has the most appearances for a non-pitcher this season, a kind of thing that happens on a 94-loss team. 

Hierarchy remains: Floro | Bender | Bass.

Major League Baseball – This weekend, there are four American League teams still vying for the two Wild Card spots (Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Mariners) and two teams gunning for the National League West title (Dodgers and Giants). Top bullpen arms on these teams (especially the AL ones) will be used as much as possible with each game representing a must-win scenario. If you’re in a daily league, consider aiming for closers and setup men from these squads if they are available, as they will certainly be used. 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) — Will Smith has gone in two of three and four of six.

Tomorrow:
1. Spencer Patton (TEX) – If he goes Friday, it would be three times in four days for Joe Barlow.
2. Tyler Rogers (SF) – Same as above for Camilo Doval.
3. Tyler Duffey (MIN) – Ditto for Alex Colome.
4. Anthony Bender (MIA) – A Friday outing would be four of six for Dylan Floro.