August 10, 2022
Boston Red Sox – As we alerted you yesterday, Tanner Houck was placed on the 15-day IL due to lower back inflammation. Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber are the only Red Sox relievers worth owning while Houck is on the IL, but if you enjoy being disappointed, you can pick up Hirokazu Sawamura, Austin Davis or Ryan Brasier.
Updated hierarchy: *Whitlock | Schreiber | Sawamura.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — David Robertson pitched a perfect eighth inning against the Marlins’ 4-5-6 hitters, which allowed Seranthony Dominguez to secure a five-pitch save in the ninth. This will remain a committee until further notice. Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning for his second hold in a week. He seems to be the preferred late-inning lefty in Philadelphia, as Brad Hand hasn’t recorded a hold since July 15.
Updated hierarchy: *Robertson | Dominguez | Alvarado.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers had yesterday off, which made Devin Williams’ absence from Tuesday’s ninth inning a bit suspicious. Milwaukee instead turned to Matt Bush for the save, and he tossed a perfect frame for his first save with the Brewers. After the game, manager Craig Counsell explained that Williams needed an extra day of rest to recover from last week’s heavy workload. In addition, Counsell said that Taylor Rogers got a cortisone shot in his knee over the weekend, which meant he was also unable to pitch on Tuesday.
Hierarchy remains: Williams | Boxberger | Rogers.
Kansas City Royals – The Royals needed to use Scott Barlow to get out of an eighth-inning jam in game one of a doubleheader, so after Barlow protected their 4-1 lead, Dylan Coleman got the ball in the ninth. Coleman struggled, however, allowing two hits, giving up an RBI sac fly and hitting a batter. Jose Cuas, recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday when Taylor Clarke landed on the 15-day IL with a left oblique strain, recorded the final two outs for his first MLB save. We’ll move Coleman into Clarke’s spot on the hierarchy for now, though if Cuas gets another high-leverage look, he could quickly replace Coleman.
Updated hierarchy: Barlow | Staumont | Coleman.
Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks committee kept rolling on Tuesday, as Mark Melancon secured his second save in three days. Ian Kennedy had pitched in three of four while Joe Mantiply had appeared in three straight.
Hierarchy remains: *Kennedy | Melancon | Mantiply.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals — Davey Martinez needed to use Kyle Finnegan in the seventh inning to try and protect a two-run lead with two on and nobody out. While Finnegan did give up the lead, he earned the win when Washington regained its advantage and Carl Edwards Jr. closed the door in the ninth for his first save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Finnegan | Edwards | Harvey.
Atlanta Braves – After the entire Atlanta hierarchy had already pitched, Tyler Matzek threw a perfect 11th inning to close out a 9-7 victory.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Iglesias | Minter.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Luis Garcia (SD) – Josh Hader blew his first save chance with the Padres, throwing an inexplicable 37(!!) pitches last night after tossing 21 pitches on Monday.
2. Dillon Tate (BAL) – Felix Bautista has gone back-to-back.
3. John Schreiber (BOS) – Garrett Whitlock threw 26 pitches over two innings last night.
4. Wandy Peralta (NYY) – Clay Holmes has gone in two straight, throwing 37 pitches in that span.
Tomorrow
1. Rafael Montero/Hector Neris (HOU) – If Ryan Pressly pitches today, that will be two straight, though the same is also true of Montero and Neris.
2. Kendall Graveman/Jake Diekman (CHW) – An appearance today will also be two straight for Liam Hendriks and the rest of the White Sox hierarchy.
3. Emmanuel Clase (CLE) – Clase came in Tuesday for a three-pitch save, but if he appears today then that will be two straight and four of five.
4. John Schreiber/Hirokazu Sawamura (BOS) – Alex Cora likes to give Garrett Whitlock two days off after he throws multiple innings, while Schreiber will have gone in two straight and three of four if he appears today.
5. Josh Staumont/Dylan Coleman (KC) – If Scott Barlow pitches today that will be two straight and three of four. It’ll also be two in a row for Staumont and Coleman.
