May 6, 2023
Chicago Cubs – With a 3 run lead in the 9th the Cubs handed the ball to Mark Leiter Jr. for the save chance. He put a couple guys on base, but a double play helped him secure his first save of the year. Leiter has been an excellent option for the Cubs this season, sporting a 1.69 ERA and his hot start is being rewarded with high leverage innings. It’s not quite Leiter’s coronation day, but he makes for a good speculative add if you have the room, as he is outperforming both Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer at this point.
Updated hierarchy: *Boxberger | Leiter Jr. | Fulmer.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox — A couple days ago Reynaldo Lopez had been dealing with a “bit of dead arm” in his bicep, and was hoping to avoid an IL stint. Last night the White Sox gave him the ball in a 1 run game, and with the help of a lineout double play, he converted for his team leading 4th save of the year. This performance lowered his ERA from a woeful 8.78 to a morose 8.16 (thanks Thesaurus.com). The Vulture Save Watch predicted that Kendall Graveman would get the night off, so he’s sticking at the top of the committee for now, but if Lopez is healthy, it appears he is a viable choice on the South Side, at least until Liam Hendriks is able to return.
Updated hierarchy: *Graveman | Lopez | Middleton.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — The last time we removed an asterisk from the Tampa Bay Rays was April 19, 2021. Diego Castillo had just picked up the first 4 saves of the season. He spent 2 glorious weeks riding high as the first pitcher in 2 years to have sole possession of the Rays closer job before hitting the IL … on May 5, 2021. Nice try baseball gods, we learned our lesson last time. The asterisk stays despite Jason Adam recording 3 saves in the past 4 days.
Hierarchy remains: *Adam | Poche | Kelly.
*=closer-by-committee
New York Mets — MLB banned the shift this year, so only 2 defenders can be on the right side of the infield. They foolishly let baserunners remain there, so line drives which would tie the game end up as outs. You know who would not have let this slide? Kennesaw Mountain Landis. He would’ve banned baserunners like they had fixed the world series. Also, Adam Ottavino got the save.
Hierarchy Remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — The Braves activated Raisel Iglesias from the IL yesterday. Although he didn’t find his way into the game last night. Interim closer A.J. Minter had started off the season well, but a miserable end of April ballooned his ERA to 8.53, and probably ruined any chance for him to stick at the top of the hierarchy. We’ll drop Iglesias into the top spot immediately, but he may get a low leverage look or two before he takes over full time.
Updated hierarchy: Iglesias | Minter | Anderson.
Vulture Save Watch:
- Jason “Axel” Foley (DET) — Alex Lange has now pitched in 3 straight games.
- Colin Poche (TB) — *Jason Adam has pitched in back to back and 3 of 4.
- Jorge Lopez/Griffin Jax — (MIN) Jhoan Duran has pitched in back to back games. Lope has too, but has kept his pitch count lower.
- Matt Moore (LAA) — Carlos Estevez has pitched 3 of 4 and 4 of 6.
- Jose Leclerc (TEX) — The day after being declared the closer, Will Smith struggled in a 27 pitch blown save. He might get the day off.
For Sunday:
- Sam Moll (OAK) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Zach Jackson.
- Giovanny Gallegos (STL) — Same for Ryan Helsley.
- Scott McGough (ARI) — Same for Andrew Chafin.
- Tyler Rogers (SF) — Same for Camilo Doval.
- C.J. Edwards (WAS) — Kyle Finnegan got the night off last night, but any work today would still be 4 of 5 for him.
