Clay Holmes and Adbert Alzolay kick their committee tags

July 23, 2023

New York Yankees — Clay Holmes struck out two in a scoreless inning to pick up his 13th save of the season.  Holmes also picked up the save on Friday night and has now recorded the last three saves for the Yankees and four of the last five.  That is enough to kick the committee tag for now even if there will likely still be nights that the Yankees use another member of their deep bullpen to close out a game.

Hierarchy remains: Holmes | Kahnle | King.

Miami Marlins – A day after the dreaded vote of confidence, the Marlins sent AJ Puk out in the 8th inning of a tie game.  He threw a scoreless inning with a couple strikeouts.  Tanner Scott, who manager Skip Schumaker specifically mentioned would get more high leverage looks, got the top of the 9th with the game still tied.  That is a spot typically reserved for a closer and although Scott faltered by allowing a run and taking the loss, this certainly appears to be heading towards a committee.  We will see if AJ Puk can turn it around and reclaim the job for himself but for now we think Scott and maybe even Dylan Floro could be in the mix for saves for the Marlins.

Updated hierarchy: *Puk | Scott | Floro.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies — After the Rockies took the lead in the top of the 9th, they sent Justin Lawrence out there for the bottom of the inning to close out the win.   Lawrence responded with a scorleless inning for his 7th save of the season.  Lawrence is riding a seven appearance scoreless streak and has recorded the last two saves for the Rockies.  If Lawrence can keep this going, he will kick the asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: *Lawrence | Bard | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs — Adbert Alzolay picked up his 9th save of the season yesterday.  It was his second straight game with a save and he has recorded all the Cubs’ saves in July.  Goodbye asterisk!

Updated hierarchy: Alzolay | Leiter Jr. | Merryweather.

Seattle Mariners – As predicted yesterday in the Vulture Save Watch, Paul Sewald got the day off but the Mariners used Andres Muñoz in the 8th inning to the face the 2-3-4 hitters for the Blue Jays.  That left Justin Topa for the 9th inning and although he made things interesting by allowing a run, he was able to strand the tying run on 2nd base to pick up his 2nd save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Sewald | Muñoz | Topa.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Bryan Baker (BAL) – Felix Bautista and Yennier Cano have both pitched in three of four.
2. Michael King (NYY) – Clay Holmes has pitched in two straight, including a 29 pitch outing yesterday. Tommy Kahnle has also pitched in two straight.
3. Jason Adam (TB) – Pete Fairbanks has pitched in three straight.
4. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Ryan Pressly may get a second day off and pitching in the previous three games.
5. Daniel Palencia (CHC) – The entire Cubs hierarchy has pitched in two straight.
6. Lucas Sims (CIN) – Alexis Diaz has pitched in two straight and three of four.

Monday
1. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – If Emmanuel Clase pitches today, it will be three straight.
2. Joel Payamps (MIL) – Devin Williams threw 29 pitches yesterday so if he pitches again today, he will likely get Monday off.

AJ Puk bounces back while Alex Lange finishes off a combined no-hitter

July 9, 2023

Miami Marlins – The Marlins sent A.J. Puk right back out there after blowing the save the night before and he responded with a scoreless inning for his 15th save of the season.  It was important for Puk to lock down this save after failing in his two previous opportunities but it also shows that the Marlins still have confidence in him. 

Hierarchy remains: Puk | Floro | Brazoban.

Detroit Tigers – Alex Lange threw a perfect 9th inning to pick up his 13th save of the season and finish off a combined no-hitter with Matt Manning and Jason Foley. 

Hierarchy remains: *Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — Michael King relieved starter Gerrit Cole and recorded the last five outs of the game to pick up his 6th save of the season.  The Yankees are still in committee mode and this save moves King back onto the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: *Holmes | Kahnle | King.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox – Brandon Walter pitched the final three innings of a 10-3 Red Sox win to earn his first save.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – Emmanuel Clase has pitched in two straight.
2. Dylan Floro (MIA) – AJ Puk has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Genesis Cabrera (STL) – Jordan Hicks and Giovanny Gallegos have both pitched in three of four.
4. Andrew Chafin (ARI) – Scott MgGough threw 35 pitches over 2 innings yesterday.

Bard gets first save in 9 months

July 8, 2023
Colorado Rockies — With a 3 run lead in the 8th inning the Rockies gave the ball to Justin Lawrence, which left the 9th inning for Daniel Bard. Bard converted for his first save on the year and his first since October of 2022. This wasn’t purely matchup based, as Lawrence got the 8-9-1 hitters while Bard got heart of the order. Bard started the year on the IL while dealing with anxiety, but has pitched very well since his return, sporting a tidy 1.76 ERA (although walking hitters at a much higher rate than usual). Bard was the presumptive closer to start the year, so if this signals a shift in how the Rockies view their bullpen he may be worth a speculative add if you’re chasing saves. Lawrence hasn’t done anything to really lose the job though, so we will leave him at the top of this committee for now. 

Hierarchy remains: *Lawrence | Bard | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – A.J. Puk blew a save and took a loss last night. This was his second straight blown save, and he’s given up 5 runs over that span. Puk had emerged as the clear top option in the Miami pen, but these past two outings have been tough for the contending Marlins. It’s a bit too early to say that this is back to a committee, but we will keep an eye on any changes for the Marlins in the next week or two. 

Hierarchy remains: Puk | Floro | Brazoban.

Vulture Save Watch:

  1. Yennier Cano (BAL) — Felix Bautista threw 30 pitches last night, and has gone in 2 of 3.
  2. Gregory Santos/Reynaldo Lopez (CHW) — Kendall Graveman has gone in back to back and 3 of 4, while Santos has also pitched in back to back.
  3. Jose Alvarado (PHI) — Craig Kimbrel has thrown in back to back and 3 of 4.
  4. Dylan Floro (MIA) — AJ Puk has pitched in 2 of 3, throwing 43 pitches in that span.
  5. Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC) — Adbert Alzolay has pitched in 3 of 4, throwing 49 pitches.

For Sunday:

  1. Joel Payamps (MIL) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Devin Williams

Cubs’ Daniel Palencia impressive in debut; Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase in rough stretch

July 5, 2023

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs remade their bullpen a bit Tuesday, calling up hard-throwing righty Daniel Palencia. He came on in a tight spot Tuesday night, pitching scoreless tenth and eleventh innings on just 12 pitches to earn his first major league win. Meanwhile, it would appear Julian Merryweather has pitched his way into more late-inning looks for the Cubs. He earned a seventh-inning hold Tuesday and has recorded five holds since the start of June. Manager David Ross turned to him again Tuesday after he had a rough outing Monday in which he allowed three runs – his first earned runs allowed since May 26 – and perhaps this shows he has the manager’s trust more than Michael Fulmer, who pitched in a bulk role Monday, has a 4.50 ERA on the season and hasn’t had a hold in three weeks.

Updated hierarchy: *Alzolay | Leiter Jr. | Merryweather.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – Andrew Nardi was placed on the injured list Tuesday with left triceps inflammation. Huascar Brazoban has been impressive as of late and could see more late-inning appearances as a result.

Updated hierarchy: Puk | Floro | Brazoban.

Cleveland Guardians – Emmanuel Clase had his third straight rough outing Tuesday, allowing a game-tying home run to Ozzie Albies to blow the save. He also allowed four runs in an outing Sunday and two runs (one earned) in an appearance Thursday. Prior to this stretch, his previous run allowed came May 26, so he was going strong for a while and of course he has earned the benefit of the doubt. His ERA (3.54) and WHIP (1.18) are pretty pedestrian for an elite closer, though we’re sure fantasy managers are enjoying his 24 saves, a total that’s one back from the major league lead.

Hierarchy remains: Clase | Stephan | Hentges.

Texas Rangers – A day after a deflating blown save, Will Smith was called into the game Tuesday in a save situation with two runners on, two outs and a four-run lead and delivered for his 15th save.

Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Chapman | Sborz.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds — Lucas Sims notched a pair of strikeouts in a clean ninth inning Tuesday for his first save of the season, as predicted by Tuesday morning’s Vulture Save Watch. Alexis Diaz had gone in two straight and three of four.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Sims | Farmer.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. A.J. Minter (ATL) – Raisel Iglesias has gone in three straight.
2. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – Evan Phillips has also pitched in three in a row.
3. Aroldis Chapman (TEX) – Will Smith has gone in two straight and three of four.
4. Daniel Palencia/Michael Fulmer (CHC) – Adbert Alzolay has pitched in two of three, and both outings were taxing (52 total pitches). Mark Leiter Jr., meanwhile, has gone in two straight and Julian Merryweather has gone in three of four. Who would be next? Perhaps it’s Daniel Palencia, who looked impressive in his major league debut. Michael Fulmer also lurks as a potential option.
5. Nick Martinez (SD) – Josh Hader has appeared in two straight days.

Thursday
1. Andres Munoz (SEA) – If he goes Wednesday, that would be four of five for Paul Sewald.
2. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – If David Robertson pitches Wednesday, that would be three of four and five of seven for him.
3. Lucas Sims (CIN) – An outing Wednesday would be four of six for Alexis Diaz.
4. Sam Moll (OAK) – Trevor May threw 20 pitches to earn the save Tuesday and another appearance Wednesday would be two straight and four of six for him.
5. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – Emmanuel Clase has had two rough appearances this week. If he goes again Wednesday, that would be two straight and three of four.
6. Erik Swanson (TOR) – If Jordan Romano appears Wednesday, that would be two straight and three of four for him.
7. Jose Alavardo (PHI) – Same as above for Craig Kimbrel.
8. Elvis Peguero (MIL) – The above is also true for Devin Williams.
9. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Ditto for Ryan Pressly.

Alex Lange’s struggles push Detroit toward committee approach

June 19, 2023

Cincinnati Reds – Alexis Diaz didn’t pitch on Saturday, but apparently the Reds felt like they needed to give him Sunday off as well. This allowed Alex Young to pick up his first save in the 10th inning. Young has had a good season, but it remains to be seen whether he’s vaulted his way into the hierarchy at this point.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Sims | Gibaut.

Detroit Tigers – Alex Lange had a dreadful appearance, allowing all five hitters he faced to reach base (1 hit, 2 walks, 2 HBP), but the Tigers hung on thanks to a 2-inning save from Jason Foley, who relieved Lange and was spectacular, logging 4 Ks and allowing just one hit as he closed out the victory. We’ve got a committee here, folks.

Updated hierarchy: *Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – Andrew Nardi is for real! The Nard Dog picked up his first save of the season on Sunday, notching his 19th consecutive appearance without an earned run. He’s made his way onto this hierarchy, though we still expect that AJ Puk to handle the 9th on most nights.

Updated hierarchy: Puk | Floro | Nardi.

St. Louis Cardinals – Two days, two saves for Jordan Hicks. The flamethrower moves to the top of the hierarchy as a result, though we’ll keep the committee tag on here until he gets a couple more.

Updated hierarchy: *Hicks | Gallegos | VerHagen.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Giovanny Gallegos – Jordan Hicks has gone back to back.
2. Tim Hill – The entire San Diego hierarchy has gone back to back, so taking a stab here with lefty Tim Hill.

Tomorrow
1. Chris Martin/Josh Winckowski – If Kenley Jansen or Chris Martin go today, it’s back to back.
2. Jose Cisnero – Same for Alex Lange and Jason Foley…
3. Bryan Abreu/Hector Neris – …and Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu.