September 1, 2022
Miami Marlins — Tanner Scott was used in the seventh inning of a tie game, the second time this week that he’s gotten middle-inning (albeit still high-leverage) work. We’ll toss a committee asterisk on here to reflect that Dylan Floro or Steven Okert could be in the mix for saves given this usage.
Updated hierarchy: *Scott | Floro | Okert.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — It looks like Paul Sewald could be back to a more conventional closer role in Seattle, so we’ll delete his asterisk going into September. Last night’s eighth-inning hold was earned by Erik Swanson (0.84 ERA, 33.1 K%), who has joined Andres Muñoz (2.89 ERA, 41 K%) in a dominant setup duo.
Updated hierarchy: Sewald | Muñoz | Swanson.
Chicago Cubs — It’s still a committee in Chicago, with Rowan Wick taking the ball from Brandon Hughes and collecting his ninth save of the season. Erich Uelmen, ostensibly the Cubs’ seventh-inning guy, gave up three runs in the sixth with a five-run lead. This moves him behind Michael Rucker and probably Mark Leiter Jr. in the middle-inning pecking order.
Updated hierarchy: *Hughes | Wick | Rucker.
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres — With Nick Martinez unavailable, it was indeed Josh Hader (predicted in the Vulture Save Watch) who got the shot to convert a one-run save on Wednesday. Bob Melvin is hoping the experience will help Hader overcome his recent struggles.
Hierarchy remains: Martinez | Garcia | Hader.
Boston Red Sox — Garrett Whitlock gave up three runs in two innings to let the Twins back into the game, but Matt Barnes shut the door (after a couple baserunners) for his fourth save.
Hierarchy remains: *Whitlock | Schreiber | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — Pete Fairbanks, Colin Poche, and Jason Adam got Tampa to extra innings, where the save opportunity fell to Jalen Beeks. Classic Rays.
Hierarchy remains: *Adam | Fairbanks | Poche.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. John Schrieber (BOS) — Garrett Whitlock and Matt Barnes are likely to be unavailable.
2. Joe Jimenez (DET) — Gregory Soto threw 32 pitches on Wednesday.
Friday:
1. Andres Munoz (SEA) — Paul Sewald probably won’t go in three straight.
2. Carl Edwards Jr. (WAS) — Same with Kyle Finnegan.
