August 24, 2023
Boston Red Sox – Kenley Jansen left Wednesday’s game with right hamstring tightness after retiring the first batter he faced in the ninth inning. If Jansen misses any time, Chris Martin will be the frontrunner to close games for Boston. Martin pitched the eighth inning of a tie game on Tuesday, so Josh Winckowski closed out the win in the 10th.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski.
San Francisco Giants – Camilo Doval’s struggles continued on Wednesday, as he became the first player in franchise history to blow a save in four straight appearances. Thankfully for the Giants, they retook the lead in the 10th and eventually Ryan Walker came on to record the final out and lock up his first MLB save. Manager Gabe Kapler, who said after Tuesday’s game that Doval needed to mix his pitches better, said on Wednesday that the game is moving fast for Doval. The Giants are off on Thursday, but we’ll see how Kapler uses Doval this weekend against Atlanta.
Hierarchy remains: Doval | Ty. Rogers | Ta. Rogers.
St. Louis Cardinals — JoJo Romero pitched the final two innings of last night’s 6-4 win over Pittsburgh and now has the Cardinals’ last two saves, albeit over 10 days apart. In addition, Romero has pitched the ninth in his other three appearances between those two saves. We’ll swap him and Giovanny Gallegos accordingly.
Updated hierarchy: *Romero | Gallegos | Pallante.
* = closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies – Justin Lawrence’s rough stretch continued on Wednesday, as he suffered his third blown save over his last five appearances. Lawrence may have been a bit unlucky on Tuesday, but he’s now allowed eight earned runs over his last three outings. We’ll see just how long a leash the Rockies give Lawrence, but you have to imagine it’s getting shorter and shorter.
Hierarchy remains: Lawrence | Bard | Koch.
San Diego Padres – Robert Suarez is facing a 10-game suspension after being ejected from Wednesday’s game following a foreign substance check. We’ll let you know when the suspension becomes official.
Hierarchy remains: Hader | Suarez | Wilson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. John Schreiber (BOS) – Kenley Jansen is likely unavailable today after his injury on Wednesday. Chris Martin threw 29 pitches yesterday and Josh Winckowski has gone in two straight, combining for 46 pitches.
2. Aaron Bummer/Jimmy Lambert (CHW) – Gregory Santos threw 36 pitches in yesterday’s blown save. Aaron Bummer tossed 28 pitches of his own on Wednesday while Bryan Shaw has thrown 47 pitches over the last two days.
3. Griffin Jax (MIN) – Jhoan Duran threw 34 pitches yesterday.
4. Hector Neris (HOU) – Both Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu have gone in three of four.
5. Buck Farmer (CIN) – Alexis Diaz has gone in two straight, Lucas Sims threw 31 pitches last night and Ian Gibaut has pitched back-to-back nights.
6. Daniel Bard (COL) – Justin Lawrence threw 25 pitches yesterday and may get a breather today.
7. Brusdar Graterol (LAD)/Trevor Stephan (CLE) – The Dodgers and Guardians will complete last night’s suspended game before playing their regularly scheduled contest today, which means there could be a vulture save opportunity for one or both teams.
Friday:
1. Jason Adam (TB) – If Pete Fairbanks pitches today that will be back-to-back days of work.
2. Tyler Rogers (SF) – The Giants are off today but Camilo Doval may get another day of rest to get himself right.
3. Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC) – If Adbert Alzolay goes doay that will be two in a row.
4. Kevin Ginkel/Scott McGough (ARI) – If either Paul Sewald or Ginkel pitches today that will be three of four.
