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.
