June 4, 2023
Colorado Rockies — Justin Lawrence picked up his second straight save and this was a little more conventional. Lawrence came on to get the last out of the 8th inning with the Rockies up 3 and stuck around to pitch the 9th and close out the win. Pierce Johnson has really struggled recently ( 7 earned runs over his last 4 appearances) and since Lawrence got the save chance over him yesterday, we will move Lawrence to the head of this committee. We will see if Lawrence and his devastating sweeper can take over this job for good or if Johnson will stay in the mix.
Hierarchy remains: *Lawrence | Johnson | Bard.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – After Wandy Peralta gave up a single, triple, and walk without recording any outs to start the 7th inning, the Yankees brought on Michael King. King gave up a single to the first batter he faced but then recorded three straight outs against the Dodgers’ very dangerous top of the lineup. King stuck around and pitched a scorless 8th inning with a pair of strikeouts and that left Clay Holmes for the 9th. Holmes responded with a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his 6th save of the season. Holmes has started to settle in, as he has only allowed one earned run in his last 14 appearances, and we will see if he can work his way back to the top of this committee.
Updated hierarchy: *King | Holmes | Peralta.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates — The Pirates traded Robert Stephenson to the Rays. Dauri Moreta, who picked up the win yesterday, and Yohan Ramirez should see more time in the later innings moving forward.
Updated hierarchy: Bednar | Holderman | Moreta.
Toronto Blue Jays – Jordan Romano got the day off after pitching in two straight, and that left Erik Swanson for the save chance yesterday. Swanson pitched a scoreless inning for his first save of the season and should continue to be the back up for Romano when he is unavailable.
Hierarchy remains: Romano | Swanson | Garcia.
Miami Marlins – George Soriano pitched the last three innings of the Marlins blowout win yesterday to record his first save. Soriano gave up a run and six baserunners in those three innings and will not be a factor in the Marlins’ normal late inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Floro | Scott | Chargois.
Tampa Bay Rays — Jason Adam pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his 8th save of the season. Adam is the reliever most likely to record saves while Pete Fairbanks is out but it’s still the Rays so don’t be surprised when somebody else gets a save.
Hierarchy remains: *Adam | Poche | Kelly.
*=closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Chris Martin (BOS) – Kenley Jansen pitched both games of the doubleheader yesterday, throwing a total of 43 pitches.
2. Joe Kelly (CHW) – Kendall Graveman and Reynaldo Lopez have both pitched in two straight.
3. Peter Strzelecki (MIL) – Devin Williams has pitched in two straight and three of four.
4. Dauri Moreta (PIT) – David Bednar and Colin Holderman have both pitched in two straight.
5. Pierce Johnson (COL) – Justin Lawrence has pitched in three straight.
Monday
1. Chris Martin/John Winckowski (BOS) – Kenley Jansen could get two days off after yesterday’s heavy workload.
2. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – If Ryan Pressly pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four.
