August 24, 2022
New York Yankees – The Yankees continued to do everything they can to avoid Aroldis Chapman pitching in a high-leverage spot, trying to get 3+ innings out of Clarke Schmidt to close out Tuesday’s tilt against the Mets. Schmidt ran into trouble in the ninth, however, which forced Aaron Boone to call upon Wandy Peralta for a bases-loaded, one-out save, which he converted. After the game, Boone confirmed he isn’t quite ready to use Chapman in high-leverage spots. Boone may have no choice based on the options he has available, but we’re sliding Chapman down a few spots in our hierarchy until the Yankees regain confidence in the lefty.
Updated hierarchy: *Peralta | Loaisiga | Chapman.
* = closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Our last Astros update began with news of Ryan Pressly being unavailable with a stiff neck, and that is the case today as well, with Pressly missing Tuesday’s tilt with neck stiffness. With Rafael Montero also unavailable due to workload, the Astros turned to Hector Neris to escape an eighth-inning jam with a 4-0 lead. Neris was in line for a save since he entered the game with two on, but he ran into trouble in the ninth, which allowed for Bryan Abreu to enter and record the final out to pick up his second save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Pressly | Montero | Neris.
Chicago Cubs – Make it three saves in a row for Brandon Hughes, who closed out game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader with the Cardinals with a perfect ninth inning. Hughes came on to face the 9-1-2 hitters, all lefties, so it stands to believe this was another matchup-based save. However, three straight saves still counts for something, so we’ll move Hughes to the top of this committee for now.
Updated hierarchy: *Hughes | Wick | Uelmen
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – John Brebbia has become the primary setup man for Camilo Doval, pitching a perfect eighth inning in last night’s win. Dominic Leone hasn’t secured a hold all August.
Updated hierarchy: Doval | Brebbia | Leone.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Rafael Montero (HOU) — Ryan Pressly’s neck might still be stiff.
2. Dillon Tate (BAL) — Felix Bautista threw 27 pitches in a five-out save on Tuesday.
3. John Brebbia (SF) — Camilo Doval needed 28 pitches to complete a three-out save on Tuesday.
4. Dylan Floro (MIA) — Tanner Scott has pitched in two straight and three of four.
Tomorrow
1. Diego Castillo (SEA) — If Paul Sewald pitches for Los Bomberos today, it’s two straight.
2. Joel Kuhnel (CIN) — The same is true for Alexis Diaz.
