Instant emails for every closer change. Closer depth charts to keep you ahead.
June 21, 2022
Oakland A’s – The A’s placed Dany Jimenez on the IL this afternoon with a shoulder injury. AJ Puk is probably the first choice for saves in his absence; Zach Jackson could also get a look.
Updated hierarchy: *Puk | Jackson | Acevedo.
* = closer-by-committee
June 21, 2022
New York Mets – A day after one of Seth Lugo’s worst outings of the season, Drew Smith was tasked with the 8th of a four-run game, pitching a scoreless inning. Lugo has been serviceable this season (3.81 ERA), but he isn’t the lockdown reliever he was a few years ago, while Smith (2.03 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) has been a revelation. These two will probably continue to be used interchangeably, but Smith has inched ahead in terms of who is more likely to get a 9th inning should Edwin Diaz need a night off.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Smith | Lugo.
Chicago White Sox – After Kendall Graveman was brought in to face the 3-4-5 hitters in the 8th inning, Joe Kelly came on for the 9th. He made it interesting, allowing a two-run homer to Cavan Biggio, but then settled down to record the final two outs, netting his first save. It’s probable this was a matchup play — Graveman is clearly the best arm in this pen right now — but we’ll slap a committee tag on here in case they use him in his traditional fireman role rather than as an exclusive closer.
Updated hierarchy: *Graveman | Kelly | Ruiz.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Josh Hader looked fine after what was presumably several days of minimal sleep, returning from the paternity list to log a scoreless 9th inning.
Updated hierarchy: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Will Smith – Kenley Jansen has gone back to back.
2. Matt Strahm/Hansel Robles – Tanner Houck and John Schreiber have both gone back to back.
Tomorrow
1. Jake McGee – If Camilo Doval goes today, it’s back to back and four of five.
2. Josh Staumont – If Scott Barlow goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
3. Michael King – If Clay Holmes (RIP scoreless streak; great run, Clay) goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
June 20, 2022
Cincinnati Reds – The Reds late-inning corps took another hit yesterday, as Alexis Diaz was placed on the IL with right biceps tendinitis. With Lucas Sims, Tony Santillan, and now Diaz all injured, we’ll slot converted starter Jeff Hoffman on to this hierarchy. The lefty is having the best season of his career (32.1 IP, 2.78 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 34 Ks) though his control (17 BBs) leaves a lot to be desired.
Updated hierarchy: *Strickland | Hoffman | Kuhnel.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox – John Schreiber struck out the side in the 8th inning on Sunday, picking up his 10th hold of the year. With Tanner Houck cementing himself in the 9th — we’re kicking his asterisk with the caveat that he’s still building up to more traditional closer usage — Schreiber is starting to look like the clear handcuff.
Updated hierarchy: Houck | Schreiber | Strahm.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Archie Bradley – Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Tepera, and Aaron Loup have all gone back to back and three of four.
Tomorrow
1. Adam Cimber – Jordan Romano threw 28 pitches yesterday; another appearance tonight means he’s probably down on Tuesday.
2. Brad Boxberger – If Devin Williams goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
3. Anthony Bass – If Tanner Scott goes today, it’s back to back.
4. Michael Fulmer – If Gregory Soto goes today, it’s back to back.
June 19, 2022
Philadelphia Phillies – For the second straight day, the Phillies sent Brad Hand out for the 9th inning to try and close out a win. Unfortunately for Phillies fans and fantasy owners, Hand could not convert. The Phillies took the lead again in the 10th inning and this time Seranthony Dominguez got the call and he impressed with a scoreless inning for his first save of the season. If Hand had converted his chance he would have moved to the top of the committee but we will leave Dominguez there for now after he was able to get the job done yesterday.
Hierarchy Remains: *Dominguez | Hand | Alvarado
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – In game one of their doubleheader yesterday, Raisel Iglesias pitched a scoreless 9th inning with the game tied. After the Angels took the lead in the top of the 10th inning, Jose Quijada pitched a scoreless bottom of the 10th for his first save of the season. Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup both pitched earlier in the game. In game two, Archie Bradley pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his second save of the season. We will keep Tepera and Loup on the hierarchy for now but Quijada and Bradley both performed well in their save opportunities yesterday and we will see how the Angels handle the innings ahead of closer Raisel Iglesias moving forward.
Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Tepera | Loup.
Tampa Bay Rays – Colin Poche pitched a perfect 9th inning for his 4th save of the season. Poche has solid numbers (1.27 ERA and 0.84 WHIP) and all four of his saves have come in the past three and half weeks. This is the Rays so it’s hard to read too much into anything happening in their bullpen but Poche certainly seems like the best guy to own for saves at this point.
Hierarchy remains: *Poche | Adam | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals – Scott Barlow recorded the last four outs of a Royals 2-0 victory for his 8th save of the season. Meanwhile, Josh Staumont hasn’t recorded a save in over a month. This is clearly no longer a committee so we will kick the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: Barlow | Staumont | Vizcaino.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Seth Lugo (NYM) – Edwin Diaz has pitched in two of three, including a 23 pitch outing yesterday.
2. Jose Alvarado (PHI) – Seranthony Dominguez and Brad Hand have both pitched in two straight.
3. Jake McGee (SF) – Camilo Doval has pitched in two straight.
Monday
1. Ryan Tepera/Aaron Loup (LAA) – If Raisel Iglesias pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four. Same for Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup.
June 18, 2022
Cincinnati Reds — Tony Santillan hit the IL yesterday with a back injury. The Reds last 3 saves have all gone to different relievers, and we expect them to use a combination of Hunter Strickland, Alexis Diaz and Joel Kuhnel. Of these 3 Alexis Diaz has been having the best season, but none of them have been particularly effective recently. We think Strickland has the inside track to saves, but this committee is better left alone.
Updated Hierarchy: *Strickland | Diaz | Kuhnel
*Closer by Committee.
Philadelphia Phillies – In the first game of a double-header yesterday, the Phillies went with Seranthony Dominguez to protect a 2 run lead in the 8th. This left the 9th for Brad Hand, and he converted for his second save on the year. The second game went to extra innings, and Jose Alvarado, after getting the last out of the 9th, secured his own win by getting through the 10th inning only allowing the ghost runner to score. Although Hand got the save, Dominguez faced the 4-5-6 hitters, so he arguably got the higher leverage spot. We think Dominguez still has the best chance for saves, but we will see if anyone can separate themselves from the pack.
Hierarchy Remains: *Dominguez | Hand | Alvarado
*Closer by Committee.
Milwaukee Brewers — In the first save chance with Josh Hader on the paternity list the Brewers left Devin Williams in his typical 8th inning spot, while giving the save chance to Brad Boxberger. After a Joey Votto fly ball died on the warning track, Boxberger had his first save on the season. Hader is expected back sometime this weekend, so it should be back to business as usual for the Brewers soon.
Hierarchy remains: Williams | Boxberger | Suter.
Cleveland Guardians – With Emmanuel Clase and Eli Morgan resting and the Guardians scoring the ghost runner in the top of the 10th, they turned to Anthony Gose for the first out of the bottom of frame. After one out, they gave the ball to Enyel De Los Santos, who got a groundout and a strikeout to earn the first save of his career. De Los Santos has bounced between AAA and the majors this year, but is enjoying some success on his latest stint with the Guardians. Even so, he doesn’t feature in the normal late inning plans.
Hierarchy Remains: Clase | Morgan | Stephan.
Vulture Save Watch:
For Sunday:
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