March 31, 2023
Chicago White Sox — As Chicago awaits the potential return of Liam Hendriks later this year, their ninth inning situation appears a bit cloudy. Reynaldo Lopez got the first crack on Opening Day, yielding a run on a colossal home run by Yordan Alvarez. Aaron Bummer secured the last two outs of the seventh inning and Kendall Graveman tossed a scoreless eighth to set things up. Let’s slide Lopez, who had a lot of hype in the fantasy baseball industry this spring, to the top given the usage to start 2023, but he isn’t cemented into any role just yet.
Updated hierarchy: *Lopez | Graveman | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — It appears we have a committee in Seattle. The Mariners trotted out Matt Brash for the seventh inning, Paul Sewald for the eighth and Andres Munoz for the ninth on Thursday. Munoz allowed a couple of baserunners but escaped the jam to register the save. We’ll leave Sewald atop the hierarchy for now, but if Munoz sees another save or two, it will be a different story.
Updated hierarchy: *Sewald | Muñoz | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s — It wasn’t a traditional setup for the A’s on Opening Day. They were down 1-0 in the eighth inning when presumed closer Trevor May pitched a clean frame. After Oakland scored two runs to take the lead, Dany Jimenez came on for the ninth to secure the save. It would appear to be a committee now. We’ll see what happens next!
Updated hierarchy: *May | Jimenez | Jackson.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs — The Cubs had a 4-run lead late on Opening Day, and deployed their late-inning arms with Brad Boxberger in the eighth and Michael Fulmer in the ninth. Both pitched scoreless frames. We gave Boxberger a razor-thin edge to start the year, but for now let’s swap this pair in the hierarchy and we’ll continue to monitor the usage moving forward.
Updated hierarchy: *Fulmer | Boxberger | Alzolay.
* = closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies — After placing Daniel Bard on the injured list so he can deal with anxiety issues, the Rockies held a 5-run lead on Opening Day, so committee leaders Pierce Johnson and Brad Hand were not used. This situation is very fluid so stay tuned.
Hierarchy remains: *Johnson | Hand | Lamet.
* = closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals — Ryan Helsley allowed only nine earned runs and held a 9-1 record in 2022, but he’s currently sitting at an 18.00 ERA and an 0-1 record in 2023 after he allowed two earned runs on 24 pitches to blow the save and take the loss Thursday. To make matters worse for the Cardinals, presumed setup man Giovanny Gallegos was not available on Opening Day as he deals with a tweaked back. He is listed as day-to-day, so the injury doesn’t seem to be serious.
Hierarchy remains: Helsley | Gallegos | Hicks.
Minnesota Twins – Jhoan Duran picked up his first save of 2023, pitching a clean ninth inning Thursday in a 2-0 win. His main competition for the closer gig, Jorge Lopez, pitched the last two outs of the seventh inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Duran | Lopez | Thielbar.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets – With Edwin Diaz likely out for the entire season, the Mets turned first to David Robertson, who secured the save with a clean ninth inning. Will he get the next shot?
Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – David Robertson got the first shot on Opening Day, and Adam Ottavino did not appear. Will it be Ottavino’s turn in Game 2?
2. Kendall Graveman (CWS) – Reynaldo Lopez nailed down the save in the first game, but his hold on the ninth inning is no sure thing, especially after allowing a long home run. Graveman looked great in the eighth and could be in line for the team’s second save opportunity.
Tomorrow
1. Hunter Harvey (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan looked rough on Opening Day, allowing three runs (two earned) on 23 pitches. The Nats are off Friday, but could Finnegan need more rest Saturday, or, perhaps, would Hunter Harvey (who pitched a scoreless eighth inning in the opener) get a chance because of Finnegan’s early struggles?
