Wade Davis resurrects “Who’s your daddy?” chants in Chicago hospital (presumably)

June 6, 2017

Chicago Cubs – Wade Davis was placed on the paternity list yesterday, so the Cubs turned to Mike Montgomery in the sixth inning, riding his cutters and change-ups the rest of the way. This was no three-inning-save-in-a-blowout, as the Cubs won the game 3-1, but Montgomery’s usage is more indicative of the Cubs’ trust in him as a long man and potential spot starter, rather than an indication that he’s going to get more late inning action.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Edwards | Uehara.

Washington Nationals – Koda Glover got the night off in the wake of his terrible outing on Sunday, and Oliver Perez became the sixth Nat to record a save this season through just 56 games. Matt Albers started the 9th and got the first two outs before giving way to Perez; Shawn Kelley was warming in case he was needed. Glover should return to the role tonight.

Hierarchy remains: Glover | Kelley | Albers.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. CJ Edwards/Koji Uehara – Wade Davis is on the paternity list.

Tomorrow
1. Michael Lorenzen – If Raisel Iglesias goes today, it’ll be back to back games and four of five.
2. CJ Edwards/Koji Uehara – Wade Davis is on the paternity list, though early indications are that he will return by Wednesday, so this may not be relevant. Monitor reports tonight for more info.

Koji Uehara vultures a save; Koda Glover gets bombed

June 5, 2017

Chicago Cubs – After pitching Friday and Saturday, Wade Davis got the night off on Sunday. What was a bit surprising was that CJ Edwards stayed in his usual 8th inning slot, while Koji Uehara stepped in to fill the 9th. Uehara, of course, has the edge in terms of experience, but it’s unclear if this is a situation where Uehara would jump Edwards to fill the role long-term, should anything happen to Davis. We will monitor their usage going forward, but you could make an argument for either player as the handcuff right now.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Edwards | Uehara.

Washington Nationals – Koda Glover came on to get the last out of the 8th, but he melted down in the 9th, allowing the first five hitters to reach base (4 singles and a walk). Shawn Kelley came on and gave up a grand slam, scoring all the inherited runners, but then settled down and got the last two outs to pick up his fourth save. Glover has been great, and had a decent excuse for last night in that the Nationals had a very long turn at bat in the top of the 9th, so he probably got a bit cold. His job should be safe for now.

Hierarchy remains: Glover | Kelley | Albers.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jacob Barnes – Corey Knebel threw 25 pitches yesterday, and has pitched in four of the last six.

Tomorrow
1. Carlos Torres/Neftali Feliz – If Corey Knebel and Jacob Barnes both go tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five with pretty heavy workloads; it’s possible neither will be available tomorrow.
2. Pat Neshek/Jeanmar Gomez – If Hector Neris and Pat Neshek go tonight, it’ll be three straight. Monitor who pitches to see who would get Tuesday’s chance.

Jeanmar Gomez records save while Carlos Torres blows vulture save chance

June 4, 2017

Philadelphia Phillies – Jeanmar Gomez came in to clean up Hector Neris’ mess in the ninth inning yesterday and retired the only batter he faced for his second save of the season.  Joaquin Benoit has been placed on the disabled list with a sore left knee.  Pat Neshek struck out the side in the eighth inning on Saturday and should take over the set-up duties and could occasionally see save opportunities while Benoit is out.

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

Milwaukee Brewers – Carlos Torres was the only pitcher on the Vulture Save Watch for Saturday, and if you picked him up, you were probably pretty excited when the ninth inning started yesterday.  Five runs later (four earned), you were probably cursing the monkey for ruining your ERA for the day.  As we’ve said before, we can predict vulture saves, but we can’t convert them.

Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Barnes | Torres.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Arodys Vizcaino/Jose Ramirez – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight, including a two inning appearance yesterday. Vizcaino and Ramirez have also both pitched in two straight, but they have both thrown less pitches than Johnson so one could be available if there is a save opportunity on Sunday.
2. Pedro Baez – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight, including a two inning outing on Friday where he threw 33 pitches.
3. C.J. Edwards – Wade Davis has gone in two straight and has only gone in three straight once this season so he could get the day off Sunday.

Monday
1. C.J. Edwards – If Wade Davis pitches today, he will certainly get Monday off.
2. Will Harris – Ken Giles has pitched in two straight so if he pitches Sunday, Harris would be used as the closer on Monday..
3. Michael Lorenzen – If Raisel Iglesias pitches on Sunday, that will be three in a row.

Huston Street faces a rehab setback; Sam Dyson to be traded or released

June 3, 2017

Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street’s rehab is on hold after he experienced tightness in his triceps. The more time Street misses, the harder it might be for him to reclaim the closer role from surprising Bud Norris. Meanwhile, Cam Bedrosian pitched a rehab inning for the Inland Empire 66ers, striking out one and giving up two runs. But we’re burying the lede: easily the most interesting thing to happen in the world of bullpens last night was Blake Parker’s decisive victory (six pounds to four!) in the Angels’ annual cow-milking contest.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hernandez | Parker.

Miami Marlins — David Phelps’s scoreless eighth inning on Friday was his 17th straight appearance without allowing an earned run. While Kyle Barraclough hasn’t been awful, Phelps has earned the primary setup role.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Phelps | Barraclough.

Texas Rangers — The Rangers will have 10 days to trade or release former closer (and World Baseball Classic star) Sam Dyson after designating him for assignment on Friday. Dyson still has great stuff and a team-friendly contract, but he’ll likely be a few months away from a save opportunity wherever he ends up.

Hierarchy remains: Bush | Kela | Claudio.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Carlos Torres — Corey Knebel has pitched in back-to-back games and three of four, including a blown save last night. Jacob Barnes has appeared in the same games, leaving Torres comparatively well-rested.

Sunday:
1. Pedro Baez/Josh Fields — Kenley Jansen threw 34 pitches over two innings on Friday. If he goes again on Saturday, he’ll get Sunday off.
2. Joe Smith/Ryan Tepera — If any of the Toronto hierarchy pitches today, it will be two in a row and four of the last five. Expect anyone who goes this afternoon to be rested on Sunday.
3. Archie Bradley — An appearance by Fernando Rodney will be his third in four games.
4. Trevor Rosenthal/Kevin Siegrist — Same for Seung Hwan Oh.

Jake McGee continues impressive run; John Axford does exact opposite

June 2, 2017

Colorado Rockies — Former closer Jake McGee has been really impressive lately, having not allowed a run since May 12 or a walk since May 4 (1.66 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 30 Ks). He picked up his fourth hold Thursday, pitching the eighth inning in Adam Ottavino’s absence. He’ll likely get any save opportunity when closer Greg Holland is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | McGee | Rusin.

Oakland A’s — Since coming off the disabled list, John Axford has pitched in five games (all Oakland losses) and allowed seven runs (6 ER) on three walks and four strikeouts (11.57 ERA, 2.57 WHIP), including Thursday’s disastrous outing in which he allowed three runs (2 ER) in just one-third of an inning to put a 5-1 deficit out of reach. He’s probably a long way from closing, even in a pinch. This brings us to Sean Doolittle, who will start a rehab assignment Friday. For now, we like Aussie Liam Hendriks (3.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, four holds) to take Axford’s spot in the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Madson | Hendriks.

Arizona Diamondbacks — It’s time for a status check on the game’s oldest closer, 40-year-old Fernando Rodney. Don’t look now, but Rodney did not allow an earned run in May and continued that streak on the first day of June, picking up his 14th save. It wasn’t all good – the one unearned run he allowed in that stretch came in Wednesday’s ninth inning, giving him his third blown save. Either way, his overall numbers are ugly (6.10 ERA, 1.45 WHIP), but he’s hot and worth a look if he’s still available in your league.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Bradley | Hoover.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Trevor Rosenthal — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in two straight, throwing 40 pitches. He has not pitched in three straight games yet this season. Rosenthal, however, is pretty well-rested.

Saturday:
1. Archie Bradley/JJ Hoover — Fernando Rodney has appeared in two straight days (38 pitches), and might pitch Friday if needed (he has gone in three straight once this season). This is assuming Archie Bradley gets a break Friday, as he has been busy himself (three of four heading into Friday with 50 pitches). A rest Friday would make Bradley available Saturday. However, if both need a rest, JJ Hoover is next up.