May 3, 2023
New York Yankees – After Monday’s blown save, Clay Holmes received a vote of confidence from manager Aaron Boone prior to Tuesday’s game. However, last night’s save chance went to Michael King, who tossed a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 4-2 win. Holmes may very well rebound from his struggles, but stashing King may be a prudent move if he’s still available.
Hierarchy remains: Holmes | King | Peralta.
Boston Red Sox – With Kenley Jansen still unavailable on Tuesday, Josh Winckowski, who was supposed to also be unavailable, recorded his first MLB save with a seven-pitch ninth inning. John Schreiber was used in the seventh during a tie game to face the top of the Toronto order, and while that’s a big spot, we can’t ignore manager Alex Cora’s willingness to go back to Winckowski in the ninth inning for the second straight night.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski.
Tampa Bay Rays — Despite being back in Tampa, Pete Fairbanks remained unavailable on Tuesday, which left the save chance to Jason Adam, who preserved the win.
Hierarchy remains: *Fairbanks | Adam | Poche.
*=closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies — Save chances have been few and far between for the Rockies, but when they got one last night it went to Pierce Johnson, who recorded his fourth save of the season. Daniel Bard has only pitched four times since his return from the injured list, and while he has allowed just one hit in 4.1 scoreless innings, didn’t seem to be available last night with a lead to protect. We’ll slap an asterisk on this hierarchy for now and hope for some more clarity on this bullpen, but Johnson appears to be the guy to own in Colorado right now.
Updated hierarchy: *Bard | Johnson | Hand.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers – Will Smith recorded the final four outs of Tuesday’s win for his fourth save of the season. Jonathan Hernandez secured the last out of the seventh and the first two outs of the eighth ahead of Smith. Jose Leclerc, who hasn’t pitched since Thursday, was warming up when Smith ran into trouble in the ninth. With Smith likely unavailable on Wednesday after throwing 27 pitches last night, we’ll get a good sense into what Bruce Bochy thinks of Leclerc if the Rangers have a late-inning lead.
Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Leclerc | Hernandez.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Chris Martin (BOS) – Kenley Jansen may still be unavailable.
2. Aroldis Chapman (KC) – Scott Barlow threw 24 pitches yesterday.
3. Jose Leclerc (TEX) – As mentioned above, Will Smith threw 27 pitches last night.
Tomorrow
1. Justin Topa/Matt Brash (SEA) – If Paul Sewald goes today, that’s two straight and four of five. Same is true of Topa.
