The Orioles might try a committee with Zach Britton out through July

May 11, 2017

Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles are preparing to be without Zach Britton through the All-Star break, but Brad Brach’s hold on the interim job is getting ever more tenuous. Even before last night’s demoralizing blown save, Buck Showalter was talking about using a committee of Brach, Darren O’Day, Mychal Givens, and lefthander Donnie Hart. We’ll believe that when we see it, but Brach owners should be concerned.

Hierarchy remains: Brach | O’Day | Givens.

Washington Nationals — Shawn Kelley threw a successful simulated game on Wednesday; both he and Koda Glover could be back with the Nationals by this weekend. Matt Albers pitched nicely in their stead today, striking out the side and earning the walk-off win.

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

San Francisco Giants — The rule of Law has begun for the Giants, but Derek didn’t make it easy, giving back two runs from the team’s three-run lead. He probably won’t pitch on Thursday, so a Hunter Strickland appearance won’t mean anything has changed in the San Fran committee.

Hierarchy remains: *Law | Strickland | Osich.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Will Harris relieved Luke Gregerson in a tight eighth inning on Wednesday and appears to be ahead of Gregerson in the Houston hierarchy. Harris earned 12 saves for the Astros last season and has eight strikeouts over his last four appearances.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Devenski | Harris.

Kansas City Royals — It’s been quite a while since we’ve talked about Kansas City, and Peter Moylan has had two five-run meltdowns to run his ERA to 7.62. The latest came last night in a blowout loss. Former first-round pick Mike Minor has been out of the league with injuries since 2014, but he seems to have hit his stride in relief, and could continue to get higher-leverage opportunities.

Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Soria | Minor.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach has gone in three of the last four games.
2. Hunter Strickland — Derek Law has pitched in three out of four (71 pitches).
3. Jason Grilli — Both Roberto Osuna and Joe Smith have been used in three out of four.

Friday
1. Joe Smith — If Osuna does go Thursday, he’ll get Friday off.
2. Enny Romero — Matt Albers hasn’t thrown a lot of pitches, but he has thrown in three of four. Another appearance would probably require some rest.

Derek Law leads Giants committee; Justin Wilson to close in Detroit

May 10, 2017

San Francisco Giants – Mark Melancon is headed to the 10-day disabled list with a right pronator strain in his forearm. After Tuesday’s game, manager Bruce Bochy said that he prefers Derek Law to head a committee and not Hunter Strickland, though it sounds like Strickland will get some looks given the committee tag. The two started out sharing duties when Santiago Casilla lost the job last fall and while Strickland has the better numbers as a whole, Law has been hot of late, not allowing a run in 6.2 IP. Josh Osich should get some more late-inning work also. As for Melancon, he is confident that his first DL stint will be a short one.

Updated hierarchy: *Law | Strickland | Osich.
* = closer-by-committee

Detroit Tigers – Brad Ausmus announced before Tuesday’s game that Justin Wilson will take over the closer role for the Tigers going forward. Wilson, replacing a struggling Francisco Rodriguez, pitched a clean ninth after the Tigers offense erased a potential save situation in their half of the frame. Righty Alex Wilson should get the majority of 8th inning opportunities, which included last night’s victory. Shane Greene projects be the right-handed option ahead of the Wilsons and got two big outs Tuesday, while Blaine Hardy will mostly face lefties in the late innings.

Updated hierarchy: J.Wilson | A.Wilson | Greene.

Washington Nationals — With the Nationals leading by two, Dusty Baker opted to use Enny Romero in the ninth instead of Matt Albers, saying after the game that he thought the Orioles due up hit righties better than lefties. That theory was debunked, as Romero blew the save in a game the Nationals lost in extra innings. Koda Glover is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment today and could come off the DL this weekend. Until then, expect Albers to get the bulk of the save chances.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joaquin Benoit – Hector Neris struggled through a 23-pitch outing on Tuesday.

Tomorrow
1. Felipe Rivero/Juan Nicasio – If Tony Watson labors on Wednesday, he may not pitch a third straight day.

Derek Law to lead committee with Mark Melancon sidelined

May 9, 2017

San Francisco Giants – Mark Melancon is headed to the 10-day disabled list with a right pronator strain in his forearm. After Tuesday’s game, manager Bruce Bochy said that he prefers Derek Law to head a committee and not Hunter Strickland, though it sounds like Strickland will get some looks given the committee tag. The two started out sharing duties when Santiago Casilla lost the job last fall and while Strickland has the better numbers as a whole, Law has been hot of late, not allowing a run in 6.2 IP. Josh Osich should get some more late-inning work also.

Updated hierarchy: *Law | Strickland | Osich.
* = closer-by-committee

For one day, Miguel Socolovich was everything

May 9, 2017

St. Louis Cardinals – Usually we have something to say about somebody, somewhere, in one of MLB’s 30 bullpens. But the only thing that happened Monday that struck us as out of the ordinary was a save for journeyman Miguel Socolovich, whose baseball career spans the minor league systems of six different MLB teams, as well as the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of NPB. Socolovich, a native of Venezuela, pitched the final three innings of the Cardinals blowout victory to earn his first career save. If you had Socolovich active in your lineup yesterday, send us a screenshot. The first person who does wins Closer Monkey Premium for a year; any subsequent winners will win a free day of email sponsorship.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Rosenthal | Bowman.

Detroit Tigers – In case you missed it yesterday, the Tigers may announce a closer change today. We will send an instant update if and when it happens; for now, pick up Justin Wilson if he’s available in your leagues.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Darren O’Day – Brad Brach has pitched in back to back games and four of five.
2. Jason Grilli – Roberto Osuna and Joe Smith have both pitched back to back games and three of four.
3. Ryan Madson – Santiago Casilla has pitched in back to back games and has yet to go three straight this year.

Tomorrow
1/2/3. See above – If any of the three listed closers above do go today, they’ll surely be unavailable tomorrow.