July 3, 2022
Atlanta Braves — Will Smith walked a couple of batters but was able to pitch a scoreless 9th inning for his 4th save of the season. AJ Minter pitched a perfect 7th inning against the 4-5-6 hitters in the Reds’ lineup. Minter recorded the first save after Kenley Jansen went on the IL but now Will Smith has the past two. Minter has been the better pitcher so far this season and we will leave him at the top of the committee for now but we will watch this and see if the Braves continue to use Smith more frequently in the 9th inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Minter | Smith | McHugh.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman made his first appearance since returning from the IL and it did not go well. Chapman walked all three batters he faced and only one of the eight fastballs he threw was a strike. It’s hard to imagine the Yankees using Chapman in a meaningful spot after yesterday’s outing so we will drop him on the hierarchy until he proves he can throw strikes.
Updated hierarchy: Holmes | King | Chapman.
Pittsburgh Pirates — David Bednar bounced back from a pair of rough outings to pitch a scoreless 9th inning for his 12th save of the season. Hopefully, this means that Bednar is over his back injury that kept him out at the beginning of last week.
Hierarchy remains: Bednar | Crowe | Stratton.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dillon Tate (BAL) – Jorge Lopez has pitched in two straight and three of four while Felix Bautista has pitched in two straight.
2. Jose Ruiz (CHW) – Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly have both pitched in two straight.
3. A.J. Puk/Zach Jackson (OAK) – Lou Trivino has pitched in two straight.
4. Dylan Floro (MIA) – Tanner Scott, Anthony Bass, and Scott Okert have all pitched in two straight.
5. Corey Knebel (PHI) – Seranthony Dominguez, Brad Hand, and Andrew Bellatti have all pitched in two straight.
6. Rowan Wick/Mychal Givens (CHC) – David Robertson has pitched in two straight, including a 28 pitch outing yesterday.
7. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) – Ryan Helsley threw 37 pitches yesterday.
Monday
1. Wil Crowe (PIT) – If David Bednar pitches on Sunday it will be two straight and three of four.
2. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – If Craig Kimbrel pitches on Sunday it will be three of four.
