Devin Williams picked a weird way to celebrate

September 30, 2021

San Francisco Giants – The Giants are going all-in on Camilo Doval, using him and his 102 mph fastball on back-to-back nights to pick up big saves. The youngest Giant to record a save since Rod Beck, Doval is not just the closer of San Francisco’s future — he may well be who they turn to this October as they ease Jake McGee back into the bullpen. Shades of 2002 K-Rod.

Updated hierarchy: *Doval | Rogers | Leone.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers — Milwaukee’s joy at clinching a playoff spot quickly turned to agony, as Devin Williams announced that after the party, he had “a few drinks,” got frustrated about something, and punched a wall, breaking his pitching hand and likely ending his season. There’s an outside chance he could be back for the World Series, but then again, if the team makes it there, he’ll have to survive two more celebrations.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Boxberger | Suter.

New York Yankees — Joanthan Loaisiga returned from the injured list and immediately pitched a perfect seventh in a tied game. That’s enough to get him back on the Yankees’ hierarchy for the remainder of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Green | Loaisiga.

Chicago Cubs — Rowan Wick keeps getting used in the eighth inning, the last two times in front of Codi Heuer, who rebounded from two straight losses to pitch a perfect ninth and earn Wednesday’s save. With only four games left, either Wick or Heuer could get what remains of the Cubs’ save chances.

Updated hierarchy: *Wick | Heuer | Morgan.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins — Juan Minaya has moved into second in line in the Twins’ bullpen, displacing Caleb Thielbar.

Updated hierarchy: Colome | Duffey | Minaya.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Tyler Rogers (SF) — Camilo Doval is unlikely to go in three straight.
2. Anthony Bender (MIA) — Dylan Floro has pitched in three of four games.
3. Juan Minaya (MIN) — Both Alex Colome and Tyler Duffey have gone in two straight.

Friday:
1. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) — Will Smith has had a heavy workload lately.

Camilo Doval delivers his first MLB save

September 29, 2021

San Francisco Giants – The Giants went with Tony Watson in the seventh and Tyler Rogers in the eighth, leaving the ninth for Camilo Doval, who combined ridiculous heat with a nasty slider to lock down his first MLB save. We’ll move Doval into the hierarchy and see if Gabe Kapler continues to use him as a closer as his team fights for a division title.

Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | Leone | Doval.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Ryan Pressly was unavailable on Tuesday because of some knee trouble, but he should be fine for Wednesday. We’ll keep an eye out to see if Pressly actually is fine. Be prepared for the Astros’ closer to be used sparingly, though, as Houston’s magic number to clinch the division is one. Kendall Graveman, placed on the paternity list Tuesday, or Ryne Stanek could vulture a chance this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: Pressly | Graveman | Stanek.

Pittsburgh Pirates – In his second appearance since returning from the IL, David Bednar struck out two and walked two in a scoreless eighth inning to set up a Chris Stratton save. Stratton appears to be in the lead for saves, but as we wrote yesterday, don’t be surprised to see Bednar earn a chance this week. In fact, Bednar has allowed just two runs (both earned) since July 2.

Hierarchy remains: *Stratton | Bednar | Shreve.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen was available on Tuesday night, but Dave Roberts decided to go to a better-rested Blake Treinen for the ninth inning. Treinen converted his seventh save of the season, allowing Roberts to keep his closer “frisky and fresh.”

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Kelly.

Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays activated Andrew Kittredge from the IL. While we’re happy that Kittredge is no longer injured, we’re hoping someone new gets a crack at any save chances this week. The Rays were punished for sending out Josh Fleming (one save in 2021) for the ninth inning instead of JT Chargois (zero saves in 2021) on Tuesday with a 3-2 lead, as the Astros came back to win the game as Chargois couldn’t clean up Fleming’s mess.

Updated hierarchy: *Kittredge | McHugh | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – Cole Sulser rewarded us for putting him at the top of the Baltimore committee with a save on Tuesday night. The Orioles play the Red Sox two more times, so Sulser should see at least one more save chance this week.

Hierarchy remains: *Sulser | Tate | Abad
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — Joanthan Loaisiga is expected to be activated from the IL today. He should immediately see high-leverage chances as the Yankees look to clinch home field advantage for the AL Wild Card game.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Green | Peralta.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) – Will Smith has gone in four of five.
2. Jhoulys Chacin (COL) – Carlos Estevez has thrown 30 pitches over the last two days.
3. Ryne Stanek (HOU) – If Ryan Pressly’s knee still bothers him, Stanek is the next man up with Kendall Graveman on paternity leave.

Tomorrow
1. Anthony Bender (MIA) – If Dylan Floro goes today that will be two straight and three of four.
2. Genesis Cabrera (STL) – Same goes for Giovanny Gallegos.
3. Spencer Patton (TEX) – And Joe Barlow.
4. Tyler Duffey (MIN) – An appearance today would be two straight for Alex Colome, who threw 26 pitches on Tuesday.

Alex Vesia secures first MLB save

September 22, 2021

Los Angeles Dodgers — After Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen and Kenley Jansen kept the game tied in the seventh, eighth and ninth inning, respectively, the Dodgers turned to Brusdar Graterol to protect a one-run lead in the 10th. Graterol retired the first two hitters he faced, but after walking the next batter, Dave Roberts called on Alex Vesia to get the final out. Vesia did just that to collect his first MLB save. Roberts recently said Vesia is a guy that the Dodgers trust in high-leverage spots, so don’t be surprised if we see more of the lefty as Los Angeles fights for a division title.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Kelly.

Detroit Tigers – Our inclinations were right; after two straight off days, Michael Fulmer recorded the final four outs of Tuesday’s tilt to earn his 11th save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Fulmer | Funkhouser | Lange.

San Francisco Giants – Tyler Rogers secured the final three outs of Tuesday’s victory to earn his first save since Aug. 26 and remain at the top of this committee.

Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | Leone | Watson.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners – A day after Paul Sewald earned a five-out save, Drew Steckenrider rebounded from two straight tough outings to close out Tuesday’s win.

Hierarchy remains: *Steckenrider | Sewald | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays’ top relievers have been a big part of the team’s September surge, and that includes Trevor Richards, who earned his third hold in four days with a scoreless eighth inning in Tuesday’s win. Richards and the three hierarchy members have combined to allow just five runs this month.

Hierarchy remains: Romano | Cimber | Mayza.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jose Alvarado (PHI) – Ian Kennedy threw 30 pitches over two innings last night.
2. Tyler Clippard (ARI) – J.B. Wendelken threw 26 pitches in a loss last night.
3. Cole Sulser (BAL) – Tyler Wells has gone in two straight.
4. Blake Parker (CLE) – Both Emmanuel Clase and Bryan Shaw have pitched in two straight and three of four. Parker has also gone in three of four, but his off day was Monday and he tossed only five pitches yesterday.
5. Kyle Funkhouser (DET) – Michael Fulmer threw 25 pitches to complete Tuesday’s four-out save. The Tigers are off Thursday, but still may get Fulmer an extra day off today.
6. Blake Treinen (LAD) – Kenley Jansen has pitched in three of four.
7. Genesis Cabrera (STL) – As has Giovanny Gallegos.
8. Adam Cimber (TOR) – And Jordan Romano.

Tomorrow
1. Craig Kimbrel (CHW) – A Wednesday appearance would be two in a row for Liam Hendriks and the White Sox may start resting folks more often before the playoffs.
2. Dealer’s Choice (CLE) – If Cleveland’s hierarchy is busy on Wednesday, be prepared to go off the board for Thursday.
3. Blake Treinen/Joe Kelly (LAD) – If Kenley Jansen goes today, that would be two straight and four of five.
4. Genesis Cabrera (STL) – Same goes for Giovanny Gallegos.
5. Adam Cimber (TOR) – And Jordan Romano.
6. Chasen Shreve/Chad Kuhl (PIT) – A Wednesday outing for Chris Stratton would be two straight and three of four. If Shreve pitches today, that’ll be two straight for him.

Michael Fulmer and Dominic Leone could be a source of saves for the rest of the season

September 19, 2021

Detroit Tigers — Michael Fulmer pitched a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his 10th save of the season.  With Gregory Soto being placed on the IL today, Fulmer should continue to see save chances for the remainder of the season.  

Updated hierarchy: Fulmer | Funkhouser | Lange.

San Francisco Giants – After struggling in a save situation on Friday, Tyler Rogers got the call in the 8th inning last night.  That left the 9th inning for Dominic Leone, and he responded with a scoreless inning for his second save of the season.  It looks like the Giants may continue to employ a committee even with McGee out instead of primarily using Tyler Rogers as closer.

Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | Leone | Watson.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — Andrew Chafin returned to the 9th inning last night and needed a snow cone catch from Josh Harrison with the bases loaded to close out his third save of the season.  Chafin and Sergio Romo should continue to split save chances.

Hierarchy remains: *Chafin | Romo | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks — J.B. Wendelken pitched a scoreless 9th inning in a tie game and after the Diamondbacks took the lead in the top of the 10th, Tyler Clippard came on and picked up his sixth save of the season.  We will leave Wendelken at the top of this committee for now, but we will see if the Diamondbacks decide to turn to the veteran Tyler Clippard more frequently.

Hierarchy remains: *Wendelken | Clippard | Ramirez.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Noe Ramirez (ARI) – J.B. Wendelken and Tyler Clippard have both pitched in two straight.
2. Kyle Funkhouser/Bryan Garcia (DET) – Michael Fulmer has pitched in two straight and three of four. Funkhouser has also pitched in two straight but has only thrown 27 pitches so he could be available today.
3. Kendall Graveman (HOU) – Ryan Pressly has pitched in two straight.
4. Devin Williams (MIL) – Josh Hader has pitched in two straight.
5. Archie Bradley (PHI) – Ian Kennedy and Jose Alvarado have pitched in two straight and three of four.
6. Tony Watson (SF) – Tyler Rogers and Dominic Leone have both pitched in two straight
7. Josh Sborz (TEX) – Joe Barlow and Spencer Patton have both pitched in two straight

Monday
1. Bryan Shaw (CLE) – Cleveland has a doubleheader on Monday…
2. Josh Staumont (KC) – …against Kansas City

Tyler Rogers doesn’t impress in his first shot as fill-in closer

September 18, 2021

San Francisco Giants – The Giants placed Jake McGee on the IL yesterday, turning the closing duties over to Tyler Rogers. Rogers wasn’t able to convert with a two-run lead, though, and was in line for a loss until the team bailed him out in the bottom of the ninth. The Giants hope McGee will be back before the end of the regular season, and if Rogers can’t get the job done, Dominic Leone and Tony Watson are other options.

Hierarchy remains: Rogers | Leone | Watson.

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox activated Matt Barnes from the IL yesterday, and immediately gave him the eighth inning with a six-run lead. Barnes pitched a clean inning, which is enough to get him back on the hierarchy, but this still seems like a committee for the last few weeks of the season. 

Updated hierarchy: *Ottavino | Robles | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds — Vulture Save Watch readers will remember that Michael Lorenzen was the best-rested option in the Cincinnati hierarchy on Friday. Sure enough, he got called on to protect a three-run lead, earning his fourth save of the year. Mychal Givens got the night off and should be ready to go for the rest of the weekend. 

Hierarchy remains: Givens | Lorenzen | Sims.

Oakland A’s — Chalk another one up for the Vulture Save Watch as Andrew Chafin got the night off and Sergio Romo guarded a one-run lead for his third save of the year. Oakland is battling for a playoff spot, so expect these two to keep splitting opportunities, with Chafin slightly ahead.

Hierarchy remains: *Chafin | Romo | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jhoulys Chacin (COL) — Carlos Estevez has pitched in 3 of 4 including 21 pitches last night.
2. Chasen Shreve (PIT) — Same for Chris Stratton.
3. Andres Machado (WAS) — Kyle Finnegan threw 28 pitches last night. 

Sunday:
1. Richard Rodriguez (ATL) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Will Smith. 
2. Jose Alvarado/Archie Bradley (PHI) — Same for Ian Kennedy and Jose Alvarado.