Vulture save lottery tickets galore on the penultimate day of the season

September 30, 2017

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs took the lead in the eighth inning last night, and brought in the already-warm Justin Grimm for the ninth. Grimm pitched a perfect inning to pick up his first save of the year. Grimm has had a tough year, and doesn’t normally figure into the late inning plans for Chicago, but the Cubs have locked up the division, and are looking to rest their top relievers going into the playoffs. We won’t update the hierarchy based on this, but keep an eye on the vulture save watch section as the Cubs may provide a good opportunity this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Edwards | Strop.

Miami Marlins — Brad Ziegler got a rare one-pitch double-play save for his 10th of the year. The last time this happened was David Robertson on September 29 last year. The Marlins committee will continue through the weekend as they finish up another year outside the playoffs.

Hierarchy remains: *Barraclough | Ziegler | Steckenrider.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
This weekend provides some unique vulture save opportunities. The Twins, Nationals, Cubs and Diamondbacks all have locked in their playoff positions, and may be looking to rest their normal relievers, so they will appear in the VSW despite the fact that their late inning usage may not seem to indicate it. This is the order we think has the best chance at a vulture save this weekend.

Saturday:
1. Justin Wilson/Hector Rondon — Joe Maddon has already indicated he wants to rest Wade Davis, CJ Edwards, and Pedro Strop ahead of the playoff matchup with the Nationals. If the Cubs hold a late lead, they will likely turn to Wilson or Rondon this weekend.
2. Archie Bradley — Fernando Rodney has been excellent this year, but with the Diamondbacks locked into the top wild card in the NL, the Diamondbacks may rest the 40-year-old to be ready for the playoffs.
3. Bryan Shaw — Cody Allen pitched the seventh inning of a blowout last night, and was previously rested to be ready for the playoffs. Expect the Indians to be cautious with their closer for the last two games, with an eye on the postseason.
4. Chris Devenski — Ken Giles recorded a save last night and has now pitched in back-to-back games. The Astros could still challenge for the best record in the AL, but probably won’t burn out Giles in order to do it.
5. Tyler Duffey — The Twins leaned heavily on their bullpen in their playoff push; now that their spot is secured, they may rest their top arms and give the well-rested Duffey a chance to lock up any saves.
6. Brandon Kintzler — The Nationals are already pretty well-rested, but if they decide not to overwork Sean Doolittle, Kintzler would be the beneficiary.  He’s still lookimg for save number 30.
7. Joakim Soria — Mike Minor got the save last night for the Royals and he has now pitched in three of the last four.
8. Matt Bush — Alex Claudio has pitched in back-to-back games for the Rangers.
9. Anthony Swarzak/Josh Hader — The Brewers need to win out to have any chance at the playoffs, but Corey Knebel has gone back-to-back and in three of four, including giving up two runs last night. Milwaukee may have to rest him for one of these two games, and while Hader is better-rested, Swarzak has been pitching better recently.
 
Sunday:
1. Addison Reed/David Price — Craig Kimbrel pitched last night, and the Red Sox may have wrapped up the AL East race by Sunday. Reed or David Price may get a save opportunity as a result.
2. Cam Bedrosian — If either Blake Parker or Yusmiero Petit pitches today, that would be back-to-back and three out of four.

 

Maybe a healthy Andrew Miller can give the Indians a spark

September 14, 2017

Cleveland Indians — Andrew Miller will be activated on Thursday, but he’ll spend some time reacclimating to high-leverage work as the Indians coast into the playoffs. The Tribe is 37-11 in games where Miller pitches, and 29-7 when he’s on the disabled list.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Smith | Shaw.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. David Robertson — Aroldis Chapman needed 34 pitches in a four-out save on Wednesday, and Dellin Betances has gone in three of four.
2. Brad Brach — Zach Britton hasn’t thrown a lot of pitches, but he’s appeared in three of four games.
3. Kyle Barraclough — Brad Ziegler is having back problems.

Friday:
1. Luis Garcia — Hector Neris threw 35 pitches on Tuesday. If he goes again on Thursday, he might get Friday off. But hey, please don’t bet your playoff survival on Luis Garcia saving a game for the Phillies.

Jim Johnson adds a seventh blown save to his league-leading total

July 8, 2017

Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino’s injury came at a bad time for the Braves. In danger of completely falling out of contention, the team has no obvious backup plan to replace Jim Johnson and his league-leading seven blown saves, and it faces decreasing returns if it seeks to move the veteran before the trade deadline. Vizcaino owners are in the odd situation of having to root for Johnson to improve, at least over the short term.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson | Ramirez | Freeman.

Los Angeles Dodgers — 25-year-old Brock Stewart pitched a perfect seventh and eighth with a three-run lead to get the ball to Kenley Jansen. Stewart still projects as a #3 or #4 starter long-term, but he wouldn’t be the first one of those to wind up at the back end of the bullpen. Worth keeping an eye on.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Baez | Morrow.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brad Brach — Zach Britton threw 22 pitches in a non-save situation and has gone in two of three.
2. Jose Ramirez/Jason Motte — Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight, including a 30-pitch blown save on Friday. Ramirez has gone in two straight and Sam Freeman three, so Jason Motte could get a look.
3. Taylor Rogers/Tyler Duffey — Brandon Kintzler has appeared in four of five and five of seven, while Rogers has gone in two straight and three of four.
4. Pedro Baez — Kenley Jansen has pitched in three of four and Baez is well-rested.

Sunday:
1. C.J. Edwards — Wade Davis has gone in two of three.
2. Archie Bradley — Fernando Rodney has gone in two straight.

Jose Leclerc robs Keone Kela of a save chance

July 3, 2017

Texas Rangers — With Alex Claudio unavailable, it was Ernesto Frieri and Matt Bush for the Rangers in the sixth and seventh of a one-run game. When Jeff Banister turned to Jose Leclerc in the eighth, however, he gave up the go-ahead home run, robbing Keone Kela of his first chance to truly seize the job. In other relief news, Texas acquired Jason Grilli and welcomed Tony Barnette back from the disabled list. Neither should challenge Kela.

Hierarchy remains: *Kela | Leclerc | Claudio.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — David Robertson — currently ranked #20 in Jon Heyman’s assessment of trade chips — will be off the next three days welcoming his second child. Tommy Kahnle should get any save chances against Oakland.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Kahnle | Swarzak.

Atlanta Braves — The Braves took their first shot at an extra-inning save with closer Jim Johnson, but he gave up the tying run. Next inning it was Arodys Vizcaino’s turn, and he converted, for his second save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson | Vizcaino | Ramirez.

Boston Red Sox — Today in three-inning saves, we have Fernando Abad and his 63 MPH changeup. Maybe you could have been a major leaguer after all.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Kelly | Barnes.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tommy Kahnle — As noted, David Robertson will be out for the next series.
2. Joakim Soria — Kelvin Herrera has gone in two straight (55 pitches). Soria pitched in the same games, but threw less.

Tuesday:
1. Tommy Kahnle/Anthony Swarzak — If he pitches Monday, Kahnle will have gone in two straight.
2. Sean Doolittle — Santiago Casilla has appeared in two games in a row.

Déjà vu for Tony Watson in Pittsburgh as Felipe Rivero awaits

June 8, 2017

Pittsburgh Pirates — For the second straight night, Tony Watson gave up a tying two-run dinger, completing a four-run Baltimore comeback in the ninth. About an hour later, everyone on Twitter made the same obvious joke. Felipe Rivero remained unhittable in his inning of relief, leading Pirates fans and bullpen speculators to wonder what it will take for Clint Hurdle to finally make the switch.

Hierarchy remains: Watson | Rivero | Nicasio.

Los Angeles Angels — Now it’s Cam Bedrosian’s rehab that’s delayed, after the righty reported still more discomfort in his groin. Bud Norris’s role is safe for at least another week.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hernandez | Parker.

Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle threw a no-hitter on Wednesday night — or at least one-ninth of one — to finish his rehab assignment with the Nashville Sounds. Doolittle should rejoin Oakland this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Madson | Hendriks.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Felipe Rivero/Juan Nicasio — Even if Tony Watson keeps his job, he’s not pitching Thursday. He’s gone in three of four. Both Rivero and Nicasio have gone in two straight themselves.
2. Jacob Barnes — Corey Knebel has pitched in two straight, three of four, and five of seven.

Friday:
1. Michael Lorenzen — Raisel Iglesias has pitched in two of three and four of six. He’ll need Friday off if he pitches Thursday afternoon.
2. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach has gone in two straight.
3. Will Harris — As has Ken Giles.
4. Joakim Soria — Kelvin Herrera has pitched in two of three.