May 26, 2023
St. Louis Cardinals — The Cardinals have been in a lot of close games lately, including Thursday, when Giovanny Gallegos was called on to record the final four outs for his fifth save. Ryan Helsley got a second night off in a row after going in three of four. Gallegos has been even busier now – Thursday was his third game in four days and fourth in six days.
Hierarchy remains: Helsley | Gallegos | VerHagen.
Tampa Bay Rays — Up 6-1 in the ninth inning Thursday, the Rays went with Jake Diekman to finish things off, but he ran into trouble, loading the bases with one out to give way to Colin Poche, who allowed a walk and a sacrifice fly before closing things out for his first save. Pete Fairbanks had gone in two of three, while Jason Adam played the day before (22 pitches).
Hierarchy remains: *Fairbanks | Adam | Poche.
* = closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies — Pierce Johnson had a nightmare appearance Thursday, recording just two outs and yielding four runs on four hits (two HRs) and a walk. He has 10 saves but his ERA is now 6.59 with an ugly 1.89 WHIP. Yeesh. Justin Lawrence looms as an option for saves, but don’t sleep on Daniel Bard, who continues to pitch in lower leverage but has been impressive (0.69 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 10 Ks in 13.0 IP).
Hierarchy remains: *Johnson | Lawrence | Bard.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals – Kyle Finnegan pitched a clean eighth inning Thursday, leading to a save situation for Hunter Harvey, who allowed three runs on three hits to take the blown save and loss. He had been pitching well lately, but the bad outing brings his ERA up to 3.86. Finnegan (4.50 ERA) lives another day atop this committee.
Hierarchy remains: *Finnegan | Harvey | Edwards.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles — Score one for the Vulture Save Watch, as Felix Bautista got the night off Thursday after going in the previous two, leaving the ninth inning for Yennier Cano, who allowed his first walk of the season and just his second run but closed things out for his fourth save.
Hierarchy remains: Bautista | Cano | Baker.
Chicago White Sox – Liam Hendriks will throw live batting practice on Friday. His previous BP session went well and he could be activated soon. Stay tuned.
Hierarchy remains: *Graveman | Lopez | Kelly.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Carl Edwards Jr. (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey have each gone in two straight.
2. A.J. Minter (ATL) – Raisel Iglesias has pitched in two in a row.
3. Justin Lawrence (COL) – Pierce Johnson has gone in two of three and threw 29 pitches in a disastrous outing Thursday.
Saturday:
1. Tanner Scott (MIA) – Dylan Floro threw 22 pitches in a rough outing Thursday and certainly wouldn’t go three in a row Saturday if he pitches Friday.
2. Nick Martinez (SD) – A Friday outing would be three of four for Josh Hader.
3. Justin Topa (SEA) – Same as above for Paul Sewald.
4. Adbert Alzolay (CHC) – Ditto for Mark Leiter Jr.
5. Jason Foley (DET) – A Friday appearance would be three of five for Alex Lange.
