April 13, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Some weird stuff from A.J. Hinch on Wednesday. Up two in the eighth with all of his relievers rested, he called on closer Alex Lange. After Lange threw 12 pitches against Toronto’s 9-1-2 hitters, he was lifted in the ninth for Trey Wingenter, whose only career save came on a vulture opportunity in April 2019. Wingenter loaded the bases with a single, walk, and hit batsman, and left in favor of Chasen Shreve, who managed to hold the Blue Jays to two runs on sacrifice flies. Jose Cisnero finally entered in the tenth and gave up a walk-off single. Hinch didn’t offer much of a defense for his tactics after the game, and we certainly don’t have an explanation for it. Could be another long season in Detroit.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Cisnero | Foley.
New York Mets — The Mets continue to use David Robertson as a fireman, calling on him in the seventh or eighth inning when necessary to face an opponent’s toughest hitters. Buck Showalter has buy-in from both Robertson and Adam Ottavino, each of whom should accrue his share of saves this season.
Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – The Yankees are turning to Michael King again in a setup role, along with Wandy Peralta, their only lefthanded reliever. We think King is probably most likely to grab any vulture saves (unless they’re matchup-based), with Ron Marinaccio moving a step behind Peralta.
Updated hierarchy: Holmes | King | Peralta.
Los Angeles Angels — Vulture save for Jose Quijada, as we predicted in this space Wednesday morning.
Hierarchy remains: *Estevez | Quijada | Herget.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s — Chad Smith entered the game with a three-run lead in the eighth inning, and got six outs to finish things off. That’s a save, right? You know your MLB rules, that’s a save. Well, under Rule 9.17(c), The Man confiscated Smith’s save — Smith’s beautiful, singular, precious save — Smith’s first career save — and gave him some useless “win” in its place. This unmitigated larceny, ratified by the highest levels of the commissioner’s office, threatens all we hold dear and strikes at the heart of all we thought we knew. You’ve made a powerful enemy this day, Official Scorer.
Hierarchy remains: *May | Jimenez | Jackson.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jorge Lopez (MIN) — Jhoan Duran has appeared on two straight days (39 pitches).
2. Jordan Hicks/Zack Thompson (STL) — Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos have each gone in two straight. Hicks has struggled this year and might not be next in line anymore.
Friday:
1. Jason Adam/Colin Poche (TB) — Pete Fairbanks has gone in two of three, but has thrown only 19 pitches. An appearance today would likely see him held out on Friday. Adam has pitched in three of four himself.
