April 29, 2019
Tampa Bay Rays – Diego Castillo pitched a scoreless ninth for the Rays on Sunday, notching his 3rd save of the year. Jose Alvarado pitched the 8th and looks like he will be continually deployed when the opposing lineup is most threatening. This appears to be a full-fledged committee, with Alvarado, Castillo, and Pagan sharing 10 saves between them so far.
Updated hierarchy: *Alvarado | Castillo | Pagan.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – AJ Minter, who is currently sporting a 9.35 ERA, allowed two runners to reach in the 9th inning before getting yanked for Luke Jackson, who retired both hitters he faced to earn his first save. Minter is on thin ice as the Braves continue to assess their post-Vizcaino bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: Minter | Jackson | Winkler.
Chicago White Sox – The White Sox put Nate Jones on the IL with inflammation in his pitching elbow. Jace Fry will likely see a few more hold chances going forward.
Updated hierarchy: Colome | Herrera | Fry.
St. Louis Cardinals – Protecting a 2-run lead, Jordan Hicks was summoned to put out a fire with two outs in the 8th inning. When the Cardinals scored three runs in the bottom half, they decided to give Hicks the rest of the night off, but then Dominic Leone got in trouble, forcing John Gant to come in and close out the game. It was Gant’s second save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Hicks | Miller | Gant.
San Francisco Giants – Will Smith gave up three runs in a non-save situation, pushing his ERA to 3.72. The Giants apparently intend to give Mark Melancon the closer job back at some point, and performances like this might make that day come sooner rather than later.
Hierarchy remains: Smith | Watson | Melancon.
Chicago Cubs – The Cubs won a 15-inning marathon in Arizona on Sunday, and their 9th pitcher of the day, something named Allen Webster, picked up the save.
Hierarchy remains: *Strop | Cishek | Kintzler.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jeurys Familia/Seth Lugo – Edwin Diaz has gone in back to back games, and it’s unclear whether the Mets would let him go three straight.
2. Joe Kelly – Kenley Jansen has gone in back to back and three of four.
Tomorrow
1. Andrew Miller – If Jordan Hicks goes today, it’ll be three straight.
2. Kelvin Herrera – If Alex Colome goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
Arodys Vizcaino, Justin Miller placed on IL
April 15, 2019
Philadelphia Phillies – A 14-inning marathon saw the Phillies use seven relievers, the last of whom was Jose Alvarez, who locked down his first save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Neris | Dominguez.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Protecting a 2-run lead, Blake Parker only managed to get one out, loading the bases on a hit and two walks before being yanked for Trevor Hildenberger. Hildenberger needed just seven pitches to strike out the two Tigers he faced, as he locked down his first save of the season. Parker remains the preferred option here, but obviously he’s on a pretty short leash.
Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Rogers | Hildenberger.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Arodys Vizcaino was placed on the IL yesterday afternoon, leaving AJ Minter as the uncontested top option in the Braves bullpen. Minter pitched a perfect 9th inning of a 4-run game on Sunday night.
Updated hierarchy: Minter | Sobotka | Biddle.
Washington Nationals – The Nationals placed Justin Miller on the IL over the weekend. Look for Matt Grace and Wander Suero to get more hold opportunities in his absence.
Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Barraclough | Grace.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trevor May – Blake Parker, Taylor Rogers, and Trevor Hildenberger have all gone back to back, so the Twins might have to get creative tonight.
Tomorrow
1. Andrew Miller – Jordan Hicks pitched 1.1 innings on Sunday.
AJ Minter nabs a save; Phillies keep spreading chances around
April 9, 2019
Tampa Bay Rays – Hunter Wood pitched the final three innings of a four-run game to register his first save of the season. It was an impressive outing, but Wood does not factor in to the Rays’ usual late-game plans.
Hierarchy remains: Alvarado | Castillo | Roe.
Philadelphia Phillies – Another 8th inning appearance for David Robertson meant another save opportunity for a non-Robertson reliever, and this time, it was veteran Pat Neshek. Neshek made things interesting, allowing a leadoff homer and then a double, but retired the next three hitters for his first save.
Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Dominguez | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Arodys Vizcaino got a night off after pitching in three of the previous five, allowing AJ Minter to pick up his first save of the year. This could turn into a shared role in a hurry, so we’ll keep a close eye on this one going forward.
Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Minter | Sobotka.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Pressly – Roberto Osuna has gone back to back and three of four.
2. Andrew Miller – Jordan Hicks has pitched 2.1 innings over the past two days.
Tomorrow
1. Craig Stammen/Trey Wingenter – If Kirby Yates goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five. Likewise for Craig Stammen.
Ryan Brasier seeing save chances
April 8, 2019
Philadelphia Phillies – Facing a pinch hitter followed by the top of the order, the Phillies opted for David Robertson in the 8th inning, and Robertson posted his second straight scoreless outing. Hector Neris got the save in the 9th. Robertson seems to be working out his issues, and while Gabe Kapler will continue to deploy him everywhere, he’s still the most likely Phillie to get a save on any given night.
Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Dominguez | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates – Felipe Vazquez and Keone Kela both got ejected in the 4th-inning fracas/Renaissance painting, so Richard Rodriguez pitched the 9th for his first save of the year.
Hierarchy remains: Vazquez | Kela | Rodriguez.
St. Louis Cardinals – After a rough start to the season, Alex Reyes got sent down to AAA. For now, we’ll give his spot in the hierarchy to John Gant, who has already amassed two wins, a hold, and a save on the year.
Updated hierarchy: Hicks | Miller | Gant.
Boston Red Sox – Protecting a 1-run lead, the Red Sox went to Matt Barnes for the 7th and 8th innings, followed by Ryan Brasier in the 9th. It was Brasier’s second save of the season, so we’re going to shift this to a committee, as it seems Barnes is functioning as the fireman thus far.
Updated hierarchy: *Barnes | Brasier | Hembree.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Lou Trivino/Joakim Soria – Blake Treinen threw 28 pitches across 1.1 innings last night. He might get the night off, and if not, he’ll be off tomorrow.
Tomorrow
1. AJ Minter – If Arodys Vizcaino goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. Ryan Pressly – If Roberto Osuna goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
3. Andrew Miller – Jordan Hicks threw 24 pitches across 1.1 innings last night; if he goes tonight, he’ll likely be off tomorrow.
Aroldis Chapman could be activated Wednesday
September 19, 2018
New York Yankees – Zach Britton picked up his sixth save of the season on Tuesday night after David Robertson pitched the eighth inning. The biggest bullpen news out of the Bronx came before the game, however, as Aaron Boone said that Aroldis Chapman will be activated either today or Thursday. The Yankees are likely to be careful with Chapman prior to the postseason, so Britton, Robertson and Dellin Betances may still see save chances depending on Chapman’s usage.
Hierarchy remains: *Betances | Robertson | Britton.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Indians – Andrew Miller recorded three strikeouts as part of a four-out ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season. Terry Francona thought Miller had his best stuff on Tuesday, which is encouraging news for a team planning for October. With Cleveland having already clinched the AL Central, Francona can rest both Brad Hand and Cody Allen whenever he pleases. Francona can also give Miller the necessary work he needs to get ready for the playoffs, which means Miller may vulture a couple more saves over the final dozen games.
Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Allen | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — On this episode of “It’s Always a Committee in Philadelphia,” four different relievers kept the Mets scoreless over the final 3.1 innings, with Hector Neris ultimately recording his 11th save of the season. Pat Neshek recorded the final out of the sixth inning to keep the Phillies trailing by just two. After the Phillies took the lead in the bottom half of the frame, Seranthony Dominguez and Tommy Hunter pitched the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Neshek has been the best of the bunch lately, as he hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last seven appearances, but the next save chance could go to any of the aforementioned arms.
Hierarchy remains: *Hunter | Neshek | Dominguez.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs — Brandon Morrow will miss the rest of the season because of a nagging bone bruise. With Pedro Strop still nursing a strained hamstring, the Cubs will continue to rely on a committee to help clinch another division title.
Hierarchy remains: *Cishek | Wilson | Edwards.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks – Jake Diekman has allowed three earned runs in each of his last two outings. Given his recent struggles (and the fact he pitched the fourth and innings with his team trailing by four), It’s unlikely that he’ll see a save chance unless there’s a matchup Torey Lovullo really likes. Archie Bradley hasn’t been exceptional over his last three outings, but all three were scoreless, so we’ll move him into the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: *Hirano | Ziegler | Bradley.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Blake Parker – Ty Buttrey has pitched in three of four, including a five-out save last night.
2. Pat Neshek – The other three guys in Philadelphia’s bullpen have all pitched two straight days, with Tommy Hunter and Hector Neris having gone in three of four.
3. Hunter Strickland – Will Smith and Mark Melancon have both pitched two straight and three of four.
4. Ryan Tepera – Ken Giles has pitched in three of four, though he only threw nine pitches yesterday.
Tomorrow
1. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. Ryan Tepera – A Ken Giles appearance tonight will be his fourth in five days.
