April 22, 2022
Cleveland Guardians – Trevor Stephan continues to earn late-inning looks and has been impressive when doing so, gathering two eighth-inning holds in a row this week, including on Thursday. We’ll move Stephan into the hierarchy, replacing Bryan Shaw, who has been inconsistent with his command in the early going (3 walks, 2 strikeouts) and has been used in losses or blowouts in four of his five appearances.
Updated hierarchy: Clase | Stephan | Gose.
Minnesota Twins – For the first time this season, the Twins have a save! Emilio Pagan did the honors and by default has a leg up in this complicated committee. Pagan has been sharp in his four games, allowing just one run to go with a 0.75 WHIP. Keep an eye on veteran Joe Smith in this bullpen, too. He has two holds already and has not allowed a run in six appearances. Jorge Alcala, meanwhile, has been shut down because he “felt something that didn’t feel quite right.”
Hierarchy remains: *Pagan | Duran | Duffey.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s — As life without Lou Trivino (COVID IL) continues for the upstart A’s (8-6 on the year), Dany Jiminez could possibly be asserting himself as the team’s top late-innings option. Jimenez needed just 11 pitches, 9 of them strikes, to retire the Orioles in the ninth inning Thursday for his second save. He hasn’t allowed an earned run yet this year.
Hierarchy remains: *Jimenez | Acevedo | Jackson.
* = closer-by-committee.
Pittsburgh Pirates — It was Chris Stratton’s turn in the ninth on Thursday in this Pittsburgh committee, which seems to be a 50/50 split between Stratton and David Bednar at this point. Stratton converted for his first save. Bednar (0.00 ERA) got the last out of the seventh and pitched a clean eighth ahead of him. Look for Bednar to get a shot if the Pirates have a chance Friday. Stratton has pitched in two straight.
Hierarchy remains: *Bednar | Stratton | Hembree.
*= closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — With just two wins for Texas coming into Thursday and facing a 5-0 deficit after the first inning, it did not seem like we’d get clarity with the Rangers bullpen. But, to their credit, the bats battled back and handed a ninth-inning lead to Joe Barlow. Barlow came into a tie game in the eighth after Matt Bush allowed an RBI single. Barlow got out of the jam and retired the side in the ninth to earn the win. If the Rangers start winning more consistently, we’ll get a better idea of what’s going on here, but it’s safe to say that at this point, Barlow is their best option in the late innings.
Hierarchy remains: *Barlow | Bush | Patton.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Friday:
1. Anthony Gose (CLE) – Emmanuel Clase and Trevor Stephan have pitched in two straight days.
Saturday:
1. Trevor May (NYM) – If he goes Friday, that would be two in a row and four of six for Edwin Diaz.
2. Jonathan Loaisiga (NYY) – If Aroldis Chapman goes Friday, that would be three of four for him.
3. Genesis Cabrera (STL) – Same as above for Geovanny Gallegos.
4. Amir Garrett (KC) – If Josh Staumont or Scott Barlow pitch Friday, that would be three of four for them.
