April 16, 2023
Miami Marlins — The Marlins have won four in a row and have eight wins on the season but yesterday was their first save since the second game of the season. It went to Tanner Scott, who pitched a perfect 9th inning for his first save of the season. Dylan Floro and A.J. Puk both pitched the day before and have typically been pitching after Scott, but this is a good reminder that this looks to be a true committee at this point.
Hierarchy Remains: *Floro | Puk | Scott.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs — Michael Fulmer has the Cubs only save so far this season and got the call in the 9th inning yesterday to try and close out a 1-0 game. Unfortunately Fulmer could not get the job done and he blew the save and took the loss after allowing a walk-off two-run single. Fulmer had a chance to distance himself from his competition but instead the situation becomes a little murkier with Brandon Hughes returning from the IL. We still think Fulmer is the reliever most likely to see saves for the Cubs but we will see how this setback affects his usage moving forward.
Updated hierarchy: *Fulmer | Boxberger | Hughes.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets — After Adam Ottavino picked up the last save for the Mets, it was right back to David Robertson yesterday. Robertson pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his third save of the season. Robertson could be used before the 9th inning in certain situations but he has three saves to Ottavino’s one so far and we expect that to continue.
Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates — Dauri “Money” Moreta picked up an extra innings save yesterday after he pitched a scoreless bottom of the 10th inning with the Pirates up 6-3. David Bednar and Colin Holderman pitched the 8th and 9th inning and Duane Underwood Jr. was likely unavailable after pitching in the two previous games.
Hierarchy Remains: Bednar | Holderman | Underwood.
Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks brought in Scott McGough to protect a one-run lead in the 7th inning but he couldn’t get the job done. He allowed three hits while only recording one out and ended up with the loss. Andrew Chafin still has a 0.00 ERA on the season while McGough’s jumped over 9.00. It’s still early but Chafin could have a chance to take a hold of this job for himself.
Updated hierarchy: *Chafin | McGough | Castro.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Chris Martin – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight.
2. Adam Cimber – Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson have both pitched in two straight.
3. Kendall Graveman/Aaron Bummer – Reynaldo Lopez has pitched in two straight. Kendall Graveman threw 33 pitches yesterday so if they are both unavailable, Aaron Bummer could be an option to close.
4. Trevor Stephan – Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak have both pitched in two straight.
5. Jose Cisnero – Alex Lange has pitched in three of the last four.
Monday
1. Giovanny Gallegos – Ryan Helsley threw 27 pitches yesterday and if he pitches again today, he will likely get Monday off.
