September 23, 2022
New York Yankees — The Yankees activated Scott Effross and Zack Britton on Thursday. A corresponding move led them to place Wandy Peralta on the IL. So what does the back end look like now? Well, manager Aaron Boone essentially said this week the Yankees will use a closer-by-committee approach, so we’ll keep the committee tag and insert Effross and Aroldis Chapman, who has been up and down of late. Other late-inning options include Jonathan Loaisiga, Lou Trivino and Britton. Holmes earned the extra-inning win Thursday, pitching the game’s final two innings, so he will continue to lead this ‘pen.
Updated hierarchy: *Holmes | Effross | Chapman.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks — In a tight game on Thursday, the Diamondbacks turned to Reyes Moronta for the save chance, but he could not close out the Dodgers, loading the bases with one out. Arizona turned Joe Mantiply to save things, but he allowed a game-tying infield single and a walk-off single. While Moronta didn’t finish the job, we probably need to reshuffle this Diamondbacks hierarchy given Thursday’s usage. Ian Kennedy had a scoreless eighth inning in a five-run game Wednesday, but he has been terrible as of late, allowing 11 earned runs over his past six appearances (4.1 IP), to balloon his ERA to 4.91.
Updated hierarchy: *Melancon | Moronta | Mantiply.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs — Mark Leiter Jr. pitched the final 2.1 innings Thursday to earn his third save. It was his second save in three appearances, and that’s enough to enter him into the hierarchy for the Cubs. Brandon Hughes leads this committee, but he was shaky on Thursday, getting just one out in the seventh while allowing a hit and two walks, to make way for Leiter Jr. Hughes is still the best bet for Cubs saves down the stretch.
Updated hierarchy: *Hughes | Wick | Leiter Jr..
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – Three of John Brebbia’s past four appearances have been opener-type “starts,” and if he’s starting games, he can’t earn saves. With this recent usage we’ll move Tyler Rogers back into the hierarchy behind Scott Alexander and Camilo Doval, who pitched the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, on Thursday. Brebbia could be in the mix, too, so we’ll keep an eye on things.
Updated hierarchy remains: Doval | Alexander | Rogers.
Pittsburgh Pirates — David Bednar was activated from the injured list Thursday and will likely resume his role as Pirates closer down the stretch.
Updated hierarchy: Bednar | Crowe | Underwood.
Philadelphia Phillies — Jose Alvarado got the last out of the eighth and was left in to finish things off in the ninth Thursday for his second save. David Robertson, Seranthony Dominguez and Alvarado all pitched the day before, but the Phillies stuck with Alvarado, who came into the game against a tough lefty (Matt Olson) and retired him on just one pitch. After the game, interim manager Rob Thomson explained the decision to stick with Alvarado in the ninth, saying, “We wanted to see by the end of the year if Alvarado could pitch the ninth and more than one inning and he did that tonight.”
Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Dominguez | Alvarado.
* = closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals – Ryan Helsley pitched the eighth inning on Thursday, allowing a solo shot but earning a hold ahead of Giovanny Gallegos, who tallied his 13th save with a clean ninth. Helsley had the team’s previous six saves so he’s the clear closer, but there are times when St. Louis will use Helsely in the game’s tightest spots before the final inning, like on Thursday when he was called in to face the 3-4-5 hitters.
Hierarchy remains: Helsley | Gallegos | Pallante.
Kansas City Royals — Brad Keller earned his first career save on Thursday, notching two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning against the Twins. Scott Barlow, Dylan Coleman and Amir Garrett had all pitched in back-to-back games and all were given the night off Thursday, so Keller won’t normally factor into the team’s late-inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Barlow | Coleman | Garrett.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jonathan Hernandez (TEX) – Jose Leclerc has pitched in two straight games.
2. Scott Effross (NYY) – Clay Holmes threw two innings Thursday and has gone in two of three.
Saturday:
1. Scott Alexander (SF) – If Camilo Doval pitches Friday, it would be two straight and four of six.
2. Rafael Montero (HOU) – An outing Friday would be four of six for Ryan Pressly.
3. James Karinchak (CLE) – A Friday outing would be three of four for Emmanuel Clase.
4. Dylan Coleman (KC) – If he goes Friday, it’d be three of four for Scott Barlow.
5. Anthony Bass (TOR) – Jordan Romano recorded four outs Wednesday and if he has a taxing outing Friday, he’d likely need Saturday off.
6. Raisel Iglesias (ATL) – If he goes Friday, it’d be three of five for Kenley Jansen.
