April 29, 2022
Miami Marlins – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Anthony Bender was not available Thursday after pitching in two straight, so the Marlins turned to Cole Sulser, who converted for his first save. This usage alone requires a slight adjustment to the hierarchy. Meanwhile, Dylan Floro is on a rehab assignment and could factor into this mix when he returns.
Updated hierarchy: *Bender | Sulser | Scott.
* = closer-by-committee
Houston Astros — As Ryan Pressley continues to spend time on the IL, manager Dusty Baker has now had two different men convert a save this week, and neither one went to Hector Neris. After Ryne Stanek converted on Wednesday, Rafael Montero doing the honors on Thursday. Montero did allow a solo shot in the ninth, but otherwise he has looked sharp this season.
Updated hierarchy: *Stanek | Montero | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee.
Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays played the matchups in the ninth on Thursday. Lefty Colin Poche got the call to begin the ninth, with lefty JP Crawford due up and another lefty (Jarred Kelenic) scheduled to hit fourth in the inning. Poche allowed a single to Crawford and then recorded two outs. When Kelenic was lifted for a pinch hitter, manager Kevin Cash turned to Ryan Thompson, who struck out the lone hitter he faced for his second save. J.P. Feyereisen tossed two shutout innings earlier in the game, while Andrew Kittredge was not used. Rays gonna Rays!
Hierarchy remains: *Kittredge | Feyereisen | Thompson.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates — Pittsburgh held a 2-1 lead Thursday and went with David Bednar in the eighth and Chris Statton in the ninth. Bednar retired the side on 10 pitches for his fourth hold but Stratton was not nearly as effective, yielding four hits and two runs to cough up the lead and blow the save. Bednar (0.00 ERA) is the better pitcher here, but the pair will likely continue to share save chances, unless Stratton (5.40 ERA) starts to scuffle a bit more.
Hierarchy remains: *Bednar | Stratton | Hembree.
*= closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals — Just like Pittsburgh, KC features a tandem sharing save chances this season. It was Josh Staumont’s turn in the eighth inning Thursday, but he allowed the tying run on two hits. Scott Barlow pitched a clean ninth, and after the Royals took the lead in the 10th inning, Taylor Clarke struck out two in retiring the side for his first save. Amir Garrett (0.00 ERA) has also been effective this season, but if Clarke shows again that he’s a late-innings option, perhaps a hierarchy switch is in order behind Staumont and Barlow.
Hierarchy remains: *Staumont | Barlow | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox — Manager Tony La Russa said he might have used Liam Hendriks (back spasms) on Thursday if there was a save chance, but otherwise he was avoiding him. So, it seems Hendriks could return as soon as Friday or Saturday.
Hierarchy remains: Hendriks | Graveman | Bummer.
Milwaukee Brewers – Josh Hader already has 10 saves and we haven’t reached the end of April, so naturally he has been busy lately, going in two straight and four of five. As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Devin Williams came on for the save Thursday, striking out the side.
Hierarchy remains: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.
Minnesota Twins – Your nontraditional vulture save of the day goes to Griffin Jax, who completed the final three innings of a 7-1 win for his first save. The Twins’ situation is messy, but Jax likely won’t be competing for many more save chances this season.
Hierarchy remains: *Pagan | Duran | Duffey.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Friday:
1. Trevor Gott (MIL) – OK, hear us out. Josh Hader got Thursday off but he’s still pitched in two of three and four of six. Devin Williams and Brad Boxberger, meanwhile, have gone in two straight. Trevor Gott has two holds on the year and did not pitch Thursday, so perhaps he’s next in line?
2. Robert Suarez (SD) – Taylor Rogers has pitched in two straight.
3. Ryan Tepera (LAA) – Raisel Iglesias has gone in three of four.
4. Yimi Garcia (TOR) – Jordan Romano has gone in two of three and three of five.
5. Kendall Graveman (CHW) – If Liam Hendriks can’t go (back spasms), Graveman could be the man after some rest on Thursday.
Saturday:
1. Devin Williams (MIL) – If they bring Hader into action Friday, that would be five of seven for him. Williams, who presumably won’t pitch Friday, could be available if needed Saturday.
2. Kendall Graveman (CHW) – Will Liam Hendriks be ready to pitch by this point?
3. Ian Kennedy (ARI) – An appearance Friday would be three of four for Mark Melancon.
4. Tyler Matzek (ATL) – Same as above for Kenley Jansen.
