Instant emails for every closer change. Closer depth charts to keep you ahead.
September 20, 2023
Chicago White Sox – Gregory Santos’ season is over, as the righty was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation. Look for Bryan Shaw and Aaron Bummer to lead this committee through the end of the year.
Updated hierarchy: *Bummer | Shaw | Ramsey.
* = closer-by-committee
September 20, 2023
Kansas City Royals – Don’t look now, but the Royals have won six of their last seven games! Four different relievers have picked up a save in that span, with Collin Snider earning his first MLB save on Tuesday. Carlos Hernandez faced the 9-1-2 hitters in the eighth and gave up a homer, walk and single before being pulled for James McArthur, who struck out all three hitters he faced to continue a September to remember. McArthur has retired 31 of the 32 hitters he’s faced in September, striking out 11 and walking zero. Hernandez has basically done the opposite, allowing at least one run in five of his six September outings. This still isn’t a bullpen to trust (especially with three games against Houston on the horizon) but McArthur looks to be the best arm to own in Kansas City.
Updated hierarchy: *Hernandez | McArthur | Clarke.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — The Rangers called on Aroldis Chapman to face Rafael Devers and Justin Turner with runners on second and third in a tie game. Chapman struck out Devers and got Turner to ground out to end the threat. Chapman stayed on for a 1-2-3 eighth when the Rangers regained the lead, which left the ninth for Jose Leclerc. The righty completed a perfect inning of his own for the save. Chapman remains the best bet for a save on any given night, but Tuesday proved the Rangers are willing to pitch him in what they deem is the most important spot, regardless of inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Chapman | Smith | Leclerc.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles – With the Orioles leading by four, Jack Flaherty was in line for a three-inning vulture save. However, he allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth. Yennier Cano, who had pitched the previous two days, entered and gave up a single before inducing a double play. After a walk, which included a wild pitch, Brandon Hyde lifted Cano for Cionel Perez, who struck out Jordan Alvarez to collect the save.
Hierarchy remains: Cano | Fujinami | Coulombe.
Boston Red Sox — Kenley Jansen won’t rejoin the team in Texas – he’s projected to be back on Friday.
Hierarchy remains: Martin | Winckowski | Whitlock.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Shintaro Fujinami/Danny Coulombe (BAL) – Yennier Cano has pitched in three straight while Fujinami and Coulombe got yesterday off. It’s likely Brandon Hyde elects to play matchups if his team is leading in the final two innings.
2. Jason Foley/Will Vest (DET) – Alex Lange has gone in three of four, including a 24-pitch blown save last night. Foley has also gone in three of four, though he’s thrown far fewer pitches than Lange. Beau Brieske threw 30 pitches last night. If the Tigers somehow find themselves leading in the ninth inning, they may turn to Vest or even Jose Cisnero.
3. Collin Snider (KC) – Both Carlos Hernandez and Taylor Clarke threw over 25 pitches last night while James McArthur has gone in two straight and three of four, so the Royals could turn to Snider again.
4. Andrew Nardi (MIA) – Tanner Scott has gone in two straight and four of five. He needs a breather.
5. Hunter Harvey (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan has gone in three of four, including a 24-pitch save last night.
6. John King/Drew VerHagen (STL) – Ryan Helsley may get a second day off after working two straight games.
7. Robert Suarez (SD) – Josh Hader has thrown in two straight and three of four.
Tomorrow
1. Hunter Harvey (WAS) – If Kyle Finnegan does go today, it’s very likely he’s down on Thursday.
2. John King/Drew VerHagen (STL) – If Ryan Helsley ends up pitching today that will be three of four.
September 19, 2023
Kansas City Royals – James McArthur picked up his first career save on Monday, pitching a scoreless 9th inning after the Royals scored 4 runs against the scuffling Trevor Stephan. With a win, a hold, and now a save, all in the past week, we welcome McArthur to this hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: *Hernandez | Clarke | McArthur.
* = closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals – Giovanny Gallegos was placed on the IL with shoulder inflammation. Look for Drew VerHagen to get more holds opportunities in his absence.
Updated hierarchy: Helsley | King | VerHagen.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jorge Lopez – The entire Baltimore hierarchy has pitched in back to back games, so we’ll tab old pal Jorge Lopez for a possible save chance today.
2. Bryan Abreu – Ryan Pressly threw 31 pitches in a blown save yesterday, and Hector Neris has thrown 53 pitches over the last three days.
3. Andrew Nardi – Tanner Scott has gone in three of four, including a 24-pitch loss last night.
4. Drew VerHagen – Ryan Helsley and John King have gone back to back.
Tomorrow
1. Josh Winckowski – If Chris Martin goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Robert Suarez – Same for Josh Hader.
3. Jason Foley/Beau Brieske – If Alex Lange or Jason Foley go today, it’s three of four.
September 18, 2023
San Francisco Giants – Camilo Doval entered the 9th with a 5-run lead and promptly got into a mess of trouble, allowing 4 runs while only logging two outs, eventually departing with the tying run on first base. Taylor Rogers came on to get the 1-out save, his second of the season. Don’t you just love when your closers pitch in non-save situations?
Hierarchy remains: Doval | Ty.Rogers | Ta.Rogers.
Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers’ top arms needed a rest, and fortunately, some early offense and a strong bulk outing by Ryan Yarbrough allowed them to turn to struggling rookie Gavin Stone for the final out of the 6th inning. Stone proceeded to turn in by far the best outing of his young career — it was, in fact, the first of his 7 career appearances whereby he didn’t allow a run — and recorded the game’s final 10 outs for his first save.
Hierarchy remains: Phillips | Graterol | Ferguson.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Scott McGough was placed on the IL with shoulder inflammation on Sunday; expect Miguel Castro to get more holds in his absence.
Updated hierarchy: Sewald | Ginkel | Castro.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jordan Weems – Kyle Finnegan has gone back to back and Hunter Harvey has gone in two of three, including 30 pitches yesterday.
2. Beau Brieske – Alex Lange and Jason Foley have gone back to back.
Tomorrow
1. Brusdar Graterol/Caleb Ferguson – If Evan Phillips or Brusdar Graterol go today, it’s three of four.
2. Giovanny Gallegos/John King – If Ryan Helsley or Giovanny Gallegos go today, it’s back to back.
3. Danny Coulombe/Shintaro Fujinami – Same for Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe.
September 17, 2023
Colorado Rockies – In game 2 of their doubleheader yesterday, Tyler Kinley pitched a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his 4th save of the season. Kinley recorded a pair of saves last week after Justin Lawrence vultured one and he seems to still be the clear option in the 9th for now. In game 1 of their doubleheader, Gavin Hollowell earned a very interesting save by coming on in the 7th inning with the tying run on deck and pitching the final 2.2 innings. Hollowell gave up a couple runs but was able to finish off the victory for his first save.
Hierarchy remains: Kinley | Lawrence | Bird.
Chicago White Sox — The White Sox brought in Gregory Santos in the 8th inning with a 6 run lead but he made a mess of things giving up 4 runs (3 earned). Lane Ramsey started the 9th inning with the White Sox up two but got pulled after giving up a pair of singles. Tanner Banks came on and walked a pair of batters, which forced in a run, but was able to preserve a 7-6 win for his first save of the season. The White Sox have now used 3 different relievers to record their 3 saves in September so it’s tough to trust anybody at this point.
Hierarchy remains: *Santos | Bummer | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Alex Lange gave up three runs to blow a save in the bottom of the 9th but ended up with the win after the Tigers took the lead again in the top of the 10th. Beau Brieske and Jason Foley both pitched earlier in the game so that left Will Vest for the bottom of the 10th and he pitched a scoreless inning for his first save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Brieske.
Kansas City Royals – Carlos Hernandez started the 9th inning with the Royals up 4 but quickly ran into trouble by allowing hits to the first three batters he faced. Hernandez was then able to record a couple outs but after a walk to put the tying run on base, he was pulled in favor of Taylor Clarke. Clarke retired the only batter he faced to record his second straight save. We will leave Hernandez at the top of the hierarchy for now but we will watch this to see if Clarke becomes the preferred option to close out games.
Updated hierarchy: *Hernandez | Clarke | Snider.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds – The entire Reds’ hierarchy had pitched in three of four and got the day off yesterday. Derek Law filled in and pitched a scoreless 9th inning to earn his second save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Sims | Gibaut.
Chicago Cubs – Michael Fulmer has been placed on the IL and we will slide veteran Brad Boxberger into his hierarchy spot.
Updated hierarchy: *Leiter Jr. | Merryweather | Boxberger.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Tommy Kahnle (NYY) – Clay Holmes has pitched in two straight.
2. Yimi Garcia/Erik Swanson (TOR) – Jordan Romano and Jordan Hicks have both pitched in two straight.
3. Steven Cruz (KC) – The entire Royals hierarchy has gone in two straight so maybe Cruz gets a chance today if there is a save opportunity.
4. David Robertson (MIA) – Tanner Scott and Andrew Nardi have both pitched in two straight and three of four.
5. Scott McGough (ARI) – Paul Sewald and Kevin Ginkel have both pitched in two straight.
6. Caleb Ferguson (LAD) – Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol have both pitched in two straight.
Monday
1. John Winckowski (BOS) – If Christ Martin pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four.
2. Joel Payamps (MIL) – If Devin Williams pitches today, it will be three of four and four of six.
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