September 17, 2022
Chicago Cubs — Committee leader Brandon Hughes pitched to top of the Rockies order in the 8th inning, which left the 9th inning for Manuel Rodriguez. He pitched a perfect 9th to lock up the save. Rodriguez now has 2 saves on the year, with the first coming in an extra innings game back in August. The Cubs were coming off of a rest day, but the other arms in the hierarchy had seen a heavy workload earlier in the week. Rodriguez may get some more late inning chances down the stretch, but he isn’t ready to crack the hierarchy just yet.
Hierarchy remains: *Hughes | Wick | Rucker.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox – After the Red Sox took the lead in the bottom of the 8th, they turned to Matt Strahm to protect a 1 run lead in the 9th. Strahm walked a batter, but was otherwise unscathed for his 4th save on the year. Strahm was warming up to face L-R-L before Boston took the lead, so leaving the save for him makes sense if the Red Sox liked the matchup. As a lefty specialist, Strahm may get some more high leverage looks, but that isn’t quite enough to crack the hierarchy.
Hierarchy remains: *Schreiber | Barnes | Whitlock.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – The Angels made it interesting last night. Jose Quijada entered the 7th with a 2 run lead, and after loading the bases, he got an inning ending double play. Jimmy Herget walked the leadoff batter in the 8th, but got out of the inning without letting him advance. This left the 9th for Ryan Tepera, who gave up a solo homer to make it a 1 run game, but bounced back to get the last 2 outs and earn his 3rd save on the year. While Herget has been the best arm in the bullpen for the last month, last night showed that this is still a committee. If the Angels get hot again, like when they won 8 of 11 a few weeks ago, there should be some good vulture save chances down the stretch.
Hierarchy remains: *Herget | Quijada | Tepera.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — The Yankees fell to the Brewers last night when their bullpen couldn’t hold onto a 1 run lead. Jonathan Loaisiga gave up an unearned run in a tie game in the 8th, and although Josh Donaldson tied it with a solo shot in the 9th, Clay Holmes couldn’t protect the lead and took the loss. Into this mess comes Aroldis Chapman, activated after an IL stint due to a tattoo related infection. In addition to Chapman, the back end of the Yankees bullpen is about to get a few more options as Zach Britton is currently on a rehab assignment and trade deadline acquisition Scott Effross is also close to a return. Manager Aaron Boone said that Chapman’s role will be based on his performance, so we will wait to see how he is deployed before making a move, but the Yankees may be getting healthy at just the right time.
Hierarchy remains: *Holmes | Peralta | Loaisiga.
* = closer-by-committee
Vulture Save Watch:
- Mark Melancon (ARI) — Ian Kennedy threw 27 pitches last night, while Melancon is well rested.
- Dennis Santana (TEX) — Jose Leclerc has thrown 47 pitches over the last 3 days, so he will almost certainly get the day off, but Jonathan Hernandez and Matt Moore have also pitched in 2 of 3 and 3 of 5, which leaves Dennis Santana with a chance for an off-hierarchy save.
- Wandy Peralta/Aroldis Chapman (NYY) — Clay Holmes and Jonathan Loasiga have pitched in 3 of 4, which leaves Wandy Peralta well rested by comparison, but it’s possible that Chapman gets thrown right back into the mix today.
- Buck Farmer (CIN) — The Reds play a doubleheader today (and Gibault needs a break)…
- Giovanny Gallegos/Jordan Hicks (STL) — …against the Cardinals (and a tired Gallegos).
- James Karinchak (CLE) — The Guardains play a doubleheader today…
- Jhoan Duran (MIN) — …against the twins (worth noting that Jorge Lopez has had 2 days of rest, but the rest of the hierarchy has pitched back to back).
For Sunday:
- Jose Quijada/Ryan Tepera (LAA) — The whole Angels hierarchy needs a rest, but Jimmy Herget can probably pitch today. If he does, look to whoever is rested to get any save chance Sunday.
- CJ Edwards/Hunter Harvey (WAS) — same for Kyle Finnegan.
- Dylan Coleman (KC) — Scott Barlow threw 20 pitches last night, so another long outing could earn him a day off.
