April 24, 2022
Texas Rangers — Matt Bush closed out a 2-0 victory yesterday, but he only got the call because Joe Barlow was unavailable. Manager Chris Woodward said that Joe Barlow is his closer, but forgive us for not removing the asterisk yet since we have some trust issues with Woodward after his comments before the season that he wouldn’t use Barlow as his closer.
Hierarchy remains: *Barlow | Bush | Patton.
* = closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies – Alex Colome made things interesting in the 9th inning yesterday but ultimately was able to lock down his second save. Daniel Bard was unavailable yesterday, but it wasn’t due to usage since he hasn’t pitched since Tuesday. We will keep an eye on this and see if Bard will miss additional time.
Hierarchy remains: Bard | Colome | Estevez.
Baltimore Orioles – Jorge Lopez struck out a pair in a scoreless 9th inning to record his 4th save of the season. Lopez has solidified himself as the closer for the Orioles and that means one less committee for fantasy owners to worry about.
Hierarchy Remains: Lopez | Tate | Baker
Miami Marlins – Lefty Tanner Scott pitched a perfect 9th inning to pick up his first save of the season. Anthony Bender last pitched on Wednesday when he took the loss by giving up a homer in the 9th inning of a tie game. Bender has been unable to assert himself as the closer and it looks like this could be moving back towards a more traditional committee. Also, Dylan Floro is starting a rehab assignment. We will see how it all plays out and if Bender can find his form.
Updated hierarchy: *Bender | Scott | Sulser.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox — Garrett Whitlock was very impressive in his start yesterday as he struck out seven batters and only allowed one hit in four innings. The game was tied at zero through nine innings, including no hits allowed by the Rays. When the Red Sox took the lead in the top of the 10th, Hansel Robles came on for the bottom of the inning to try and close it out. Unfortunately for Red Sox fans and fantasy owners, he gave up a walk-off homer to blow the save. The Red Sox are in full committee mode and nobody has done anything to stand out so far. Matt Barnes is the guy to watch since the Red Sox have said they would like him back in the role and he came in after Jake Diekman walked the bases loaded on Friday to get the final out and record his first save of the season.
Updated hierarchy: *Diekman | Barnes | Robles.
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres — With Pierce Johnson on the IL with forearm tendinitis, Steven Wilson pitched a perfect 7th inning to pick up his 4th hold of the season. The rookie has been pitching well out of the Padres’ bullpen and should see more time in the later innings. Robert Suarez got the win in extras last night and has now strung together 4 straight scoreless appearances, including 7 strikeouts over 4.2 innings.
Updated hierarchy: Rogers | Suarez | Wilson.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Mark Melancon got the day off after pitching in two straight and Ian Kennedy got the 8th inning against the 2-3-4 hitters in the lineup. That meant that Joe Mantiply ended up with the 9th and he responded with a perfect inning for his first career save.
Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Kennedy | Mantiply.
Toronto Blue Jays – The Vulture Save Watch correctly predicted that Jordan Romano would get yesterday off but unfortunately it couldn’t predict that Yimi Garcia would be needed in the 8th inning to face the 3-4-5 hitters. Garcia pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts, and that left Adam Cimber for the 9th inning. Cimber pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his first save of the season. We still think Garcia is the better handcuff but Cimber will be in the mix for saves when Romano is unavailable.
Hierarchy remains: Romano | Garcia | Cimber
Los Angeles Dodgers — Blake Treinen was placed on the IL retroactive to April 18th. Brusdar Graterol pitched the 8th inning of a tie game last night and we will slide him onto the hierarchy, but the Dodgers have a very strong bullpen and Phil Bickford and Evan Phillips should also see more time in the later innings while Treinen is out.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Hudson | Graterol.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dillon Tate (BAL) – Jorge Lopez has pitched in two straight and three of four.
Monday
1. Yimi Garcia (TOR) – If Jordan Romano pitches two, it will be three of four.
2. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – If Emmanuel Clase pitches today, it will be two straight.
3. Ryan Tepera (LAA) – If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, it will be two straight.
