Jhoan Duran excellent again, but who got the Twins’ save?

June 24, 2022

Minnesota Twins — Jhoan Duran was dominant Thursday (3 Ks in 1.1 IP) and on his way to a 2-inning save when manager Rocco Baldelli pulled his best reliever with one out in the ninth inning in a 1-0 game, much to the dismay of the home crowd. Lefty Caleb Thielbar was called upon to face lefty Andres Gimenez, but allowed a double to make things interesting. He managed to record the final two outs, though, for his first career save. Thielbar had a disastrous April (12.79 ERA), but he has a 3.79 ERA since May 1, so there has been marked improvement. He has seven holds and could continue to get late-inning looks if the matchup is right.

Hierarchy remains: *Duran | Pagan | Jax.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins — Tanner Scott converted his seventh save overall on Thursday and has the Marlins’ last six saves. The job is his and the asterisk is booted.

Updated hierarchy: Scott | Bass | Okert

Houston Astros – Ryan Pressly had a rough go of it Thursday, allowing all five of the hitters he faced to reach base to blow the save against the Yankees. Pressly allowed two walks, a three-run homer, an infield single and another single before he was pulled. He eventually took the loss when Ryne Stanek yielded a game-winning RBI single. Pressly had been pitching better of late, with five straight scoreless outings dropping his ERA to 2.41 heading into Thursday, so perhaps the ugly outing was just a blip. As Pressly put it, “I didn’t have it tonight. It sucks.” Yup.

Hierarchy remains: Pressly | Montero | Stanek.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Phil Maton (HOU) – OK, hear us out. Ryan Pressly will certainly be off after a bad outing. He’s also gone two straight. But, so have bullpen mates Rafael Montero, Hector Neris and Ryne Stanek. That leaves Phil Maton, perhaps?
2. Rowan Wick (CHC) – David Roberston has pitched in two straight. He hasn’t gone three in a row all year.

Saturday :
1. Anthony Bass (MIA) – A Friday appearance would be three of four and four of six for Tanner Scott.
2. Someone on the Astros (HOU) – As you read above, the whole back-end of the bullpen is tired. Whoever pitches Friday will definitely be off on Saturday.
3. Eli Morgan (CLE) – If he goes Friday, that would be four of six for Emmanuel Clase.
4. Emilio Pagan (MIN) – A Friday outing would be three of four for Jhoan Duran.