April 9, 2023
Kansas City Royals – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Scott Barlow got the day off yesterday after pitching in two straight. That left Aroldis Chapman for the save chance and he converted by pitching a perfect 9th inning with a pair of strikeouts. Chapman has been great to start the season as he has worked four scoreless innings, including eight strikeouts and, more importantly, only one walk. Scott Barlow has also been good in his first three appearances of the season so Chapman isn’t challenging him quite yet but if he can keep it up, he could work this into a committee.
Hierarchy remains: Barlow | Chapman | Coleman.
Washington Nationals – After a disastrous 9th inning on Tuesday, Kyle Finnegan has bounced back with two scoreless outings. However, both of those were in non-save situations and after Anthony Banda turned a 7-2 Nationals 9th inning lead quickly to a 7-4 Nationals lead, it was Carl Edwards who came on for the save chance. Edwards allowed a pair of hits and a pair of runs (one charged to Banda), but was able to close out the game for his first save of the season. We aren’t ready to move Edwards to the top of the hierarchy but he is certainly in the mix for saves and will likely move to the top if he gets the next save chance.
Hierarchy Remains: *Finnegan | Edwards | Harvey.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets – David Robertson pitched a perfect 9th inning for his second save of the season. Robertson has recorded both saves for the Mets so far and if he gets the next save, we will remove the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — Paul Sewald got the call in the 9th inning last night with the Mariners protecting a one run lead. He allowed a couple of base runners but was able to pitch a scoreless inning for his second save of the season. After Anthony Muñoz picked up the Mariners’ first save of the season on opening day, Sewald has now received the last two save chances and converted both. This is likely still a committee and Muñoz will see some save chances, but Sewald ended up with the most saves for the Mariners last season and it is trending that way again early on this season.
Hierarchy Remains: *Sewald | Muñoz | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – Clay Holmes picked up his second save of the season yesterday and has settled in after allowing two runs in his first outing of the season. Set-up man Jonathan Loaisiga was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation and will not throw for at least a couple weeks. Wandy Peralta pitched a scoreless 8th inning ahead of Clay Holmes last night and will join the hierarchy while Loasiga is out.
Updated hierarchy: Holmes | Marinaccio | Peralta.
Minnesota Twins – After Jovani Moran made a mess of things in the 9th inning by allowing two runs to score and allowing two more runners to reach base, Jhoan Duran came on to close things out. Duran struck out the only batter he faced to pick up his second save of the season. Jorge Lopez struck out the side in the 7th inning to pick up his second hold of the season. Lopez’s only save of the season came on a night when Duran was unavailable so it looks like Duran could be close to kicking the committee tag.
Hierarchy remains: *Duran | Lopez | Thielbar.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Caleb Thielbar – Jhoan Duran and Jorge Lopez have both pitched in two straight, though Duran only threw three pitches yesterday.
2. Andres Muñoz – Paul Sewald has pitched in two straight.
3. Erasmo Ramirez – Kyle Finnegan, Carl Edwards, and Hunter Harvey have all pitched in two straight.
4. Steven Wilson – Josh Hader and Luis Garcia have both pitched in two straight.
5. Taylor Rogers – Camilo Doval has pitched in two straight.
Monday
1. Ron Marinaccio – If Clay Holmes pitches today, it will be two straight.
2. Reiver Sanmartin/Derek Law – Alexis Diaz threw 32 pitches yesterday and if he pitches again today, he will get Monday off.
