Did we . . . break Andrew Miller?

June 15, 2017

Cleveland Indians — Uh, guys, ever since we praised Andrew Miller by comparing him to peak-level Fernando Rodney, his ERA has quintupled, he’s given up two home runs, and he’s lost two straight games. WE DIDN’T MEAN IT, ANDREW!! COME BACK TO US!!

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Miller | Shaw.

San Diego Padres — It’s been nearly three weeks since anyone but Brandon Maurer sniffed a save opportunity for the Padres. We’ll bid farewell to the committee asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Hand | Buchter.

Los Angeles Angels — As we predicted Wednesday morning, David Hernandez picked up the save while Bud Norris got the night off. And all of this happened because Joe Girardi is currently insisting on using rookies instead of effective pitchers.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hernandez | Parker.

Detroit Tigers — We told you in Wednesday’s VSW that K-Rod was getting more high-leverage looks, and now Brad Ausmus has confirmed the shift — although the article also reports that the former closer still isn’t pleased with his role. Stay tuned.

Hierarchy remains: J.Wilson | A.Wilson | Greene.

Miami Marlins — After struggling with control (21 BB in his first 22.1 IP), Kyle Barraclough has righted the ship. Wednesday’s clean fifth inning was his fourth straight walkless outing. The Marlins have given Barraclough a recent rest from high-leverage use, but we think his renaissance keeps him ahead of Brad Ziegler and Nick Wittgren in the Miami pen.

Hierarchy remains: Ramos | Phelps | Barraclough.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Pedro Baez — Kenley Jansen hasn’t thrown many pitches, but he’s gone in four out of five.

Friday:
1. Jacob Barnes/Carlos Torres — Corey Knebel has pitched in two straight.

Joe Girardi misbehaves and Ben Heller gets spanked

June 14, 2017

New York Yankees — The Yankees lost in extra innings when Joe Girardi unaccountably called on Ben Heller (in his season debut) in a tight spot — leaving Dellin Betances on the shelf — and Eric Young, Jr. lined the game-winning single straight off Heller’s haunches. Although Aroldis Chapman’s planned rehab outing was rained out in Tampa, he should pitch tonight, then Friday in Trenton, before an expected activation on Sunday. Maybe by then Heller will be able to sit down again.

Hierarchy remains: Betances | Clippard | Warren.

St. Louis Cardinals — Another day, another three-inning save, this one the first in the career of lefty Tyler Lyons. Free Premium for the first person to email us a screenshot of Lyons delivering that save to your fantasy team.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Rosenthal | Bowman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. David Hernandez — As we warned you yesterday, Bud Norris has pitched in three straight games (60 pitches).
2. Shane Greene/Francisco Rodriguez — Both Alex and Justin Wilson threw 27 pitches last night and have gone in two of three. We think Greene is still next in line, but ol’ K-Rod has been creeping back into the late innings too.
3. Daniel Hudson — Felipe Rivero seems to be the man in Pittsburgh, but both he and Juan Nicasio have pitched in three out of the last four.

Thursday:
1. Matt Barnes — Craig Kimbrel has gone in two straight.

Matt Albers blows his first post-Glover chance

June 13, 2017

Washington Nationals – With Koda Glover sidelined, Matt Albers got the last out of the 8th inning and then stuck around to try and close the door in the 9th. But he walked two of the first three hitters he faced, and then allowed a three-run dinger to Tyler Flowers. After the game, Baker called Albers “our most dependable guy” and mentioned that basically everyone who pitched on Monday gave up a home run, so they might just run Albers right back out for another save chance tomorrow. They could also look to mix and match with Shawn Kelley and Enny Romero/Oliver Perez, and with no one in the clear driver’s seat, we’ll slap the committee tag on and monitor usage going forward.

Hierarchy remains: *Albers | Kelley | Romero.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – A week ago, Pat Neshek bailed out Hector Neris and picked up his first save of the season. With Pete Mackanin saying that Neris needed to work out his splitter and the Phillies looking to showcase Neshek as trade bait, we figured that the veteran would get a few more chances in the 9th inning going forward. The Phillies haven’t had a save opportunity since then, but Neshek has pitched twice, both in the seventh inning. Neris pitched after him on Sunday, and then was ostensibly going to be the 9th inning guy last night, but Joaquin Benoit blew the save. At the very least, Neris seems to have climbed back into the committee lead for the time being.

Updated hierarchy: *Neris | Neshek | Benoit.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Shawn Kelley – Even if Matt Albers is still in the driver’s seat, he could get the day off after struggling Monday.

Tomorrow
1. David Hernandez – If Bud Norris goes today, it’ll be three straight.

Felipe Rivero making quick work of Pittsburgh’s alleged committee

June 12, 2017

Pittsburgh Pirates – Sunday’s game made two four-out saves in two days for Felipe Rivero. If this is indeed a committee, Rivero is the clear leader, but let’s make him get one more before we remove his asterisk. And don’t panic if Juan Nicasio gets the save tonight (which he may, per VSW) — Rivero will still be the one to own regardless.

Hierarchy remains: *Rivero | Nicasio | Hudson.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – Jerry Blevins has been the best reliever in the Mets bullpen all season, but we’ve been reluctant to move him to first in line because he’d mostly been pitching to lefties. But he got the full 8th inning yesterday, and will probably get similar looks going forward, mostly because the team doesn’t have another option.

Updated hierarchy: Reed | Blevins | Salas. 

Cleveland Indians – It’s a bit of a slow news day today, so figured we’d just point out that Andrew Miller’s ERA is 0.29. That’s kinda good. Also, did you know that the reliever who holds the record for lowest ERA in a single season is Fernando Rodney?! This happened less than five years ago and we can still hardly believe it. [UPDATE: Oh wait, Zach Britton broke this last year. Still, there was a time when Rodney posted the best relief season ever!]

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Miller | Shaw.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Juan Nicasio – Felipe Rivero has gotten four outs each of the last two nights.
2. Michael Lorenzen – Raisel Iglesias had a long (33 pitches) painful outing yesterday, and might need a night off.

Tomorrow
1. Jerry Blevins – If Addison Reed goes today, it’ll be three straight.
2. Juan Nicasio – See above. If Felipe Rivero does end up going today, he’ll surely be off tomorrow.
3. Michael Lorenzen – See above. If Raisel Iglesias does end up going today, he’ll surely be off tomorrow.

Koda Glover placed on DL

June 11, 2017

Washington Nationals – Koda Glover has been placed on the DL with a sore back. Matt Albers has been the best reliever in the Nats bullpen lately, though Shawn Kelley could also get a chance.

Updated hierarchy: Albers | Kelley | Romero.