May 27, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies – Craig Kimbrel became the 8th player to earn 400 career saves last night, pitching a clean 9th inning against Atlanta, the team that drafted him. Over 14 menacing seasons Kimbrel and his unique stance led the NL in saves 4 times, finished in the top 10 of MVP voting twice, won a World Series with the Red Sox and is one of only 4 players (and the only reliever) to strike out 4 batters in an inning multiple times. It’ll be years before we see another reliever crack 400 saves, so a hearty congratulations to one of the best to ever do it!
Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Soto | Dominguez.
San Francisco Giants – The Giants stormed out to a 9 run lead by the 3rd inning and never looked back. They gave the ball to Tristan Beck with 2 outs in the 5th and he stuck all the way through the ninth to earn his first career save. Beck has been a starter on his way through the minors and is currently in a long relief role with the Giants so we don’t expect to see too many late inning opportunities for the rookie.
Hierarchy remains: Doval | Ty. Rogers | Brebbia.
Washington Nationals – The Vulture Save Watch told you that Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey would be getting a rest on Friday, but when Carl Edwards was called upon to put out a fire in the 7th inning and when he loaded the bases in the 8th inning the Nationals turned to Chad Kuhl to protect their lead. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score, but pitched a clean 9th inning for the first save of his career. Kuhl began the season as a starter, but after struggling in that role he moved to the bullpen. He has yet to give up a run of his own in that role, although it has only been 2 appearances.
Hierarchy remains: *Finnegan | Harvey | Edwards.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets – With a 3 run lead, David Robertson took the 8th inning to face the top of the Rockies lineup. He gave up a leadoff homer, but got out of the inning. This put Brooks Raley in line for the save in the 9th, but a pair of walks got him an early hook and let Adam Ottavino finish the game with a little help from confused baserunning. Ottavino has had a few rough outings in May, so this may have been a chance for Raley to assert himself in the committee, but it looks like Ottavino will hold onto his 1st in line spot for now.
Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
Vulture Save Watch:
- Matt Barnes (MIA) — Dylan Floro has thrown 33 pitches over the past 2 days and Tanner Scott has gone in 3 straight while Barnes is well rested.
- Nick Martinez (SD) — Josh Hader has pitched in back to back and 3 of 4.
For Sunday:
- Jason Adam/Colin Poche (TB) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam.
- Gregory Soto (PHI) — The same is true for 400 save man Craig Kimbrel.
- Trevor Stephan (CLE) — Emmanuel Clase threw 32 pitches last night, so any work today would earn him a rest.
