Dave Roberts gives Kenley Jansen the vote of confidence

August 31, 2018

Los Angeles Dodgers — Josh Fields was activated from the 60-day disabled list on Thursday. We imagine he’ll eventually factor into a setup role, but that remains to be seen with Kenta Maeda and Scott Alexander currently manning the ship in front of Kenley Jansen. Dave Roberts reiterated before Thursday’s game that Jansen will continue to be the closer despite recent performance issues.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Maeda | Alexander.

Milwaukee Brewers — As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Jeremy Jeffress got the night off after throwing 39 pitches over two innings on Wednesday, but other members of a tired bullpen weren’t so lucky. Josh Hader recovered from a rough outing on Wednesday (four earned runs; 24 pitches) to toss a scoreless 11th inning Thursday for his 11th save. Joakim Soria pitched ahead of him, appearing for the fourth time in five games. Our pick Corbin Burnes did pitch the ninth, but the game was tied.

Hierarchy remains: *Jeffress | Hader | Soria.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Steve Cishek — Pedro Strop and CJ Edwards have each pitched in three of four.
2. Zach Britton — Dellin Betances has thrown in two of three, including a disastrous Thursday outing where he allowed three runs on 31 pitches to blow the save.

Saturday:
1. Justin Anderson — Blake Parker has pitched in two of three and four of the last six.
2. Craig Stammen/Matt Strahm — Kirby Yates has pitched in two of three. Stammen has gone in two straight himself, so if both men are used Friday, Strahm may get a chance Saturday.
3. Hector Rondon — Even with Thursday off, Roberto Osuna has still pitched in four of six entering Friday.
4. Archie Bradley — Brad Boxberger has gone in two straight.
5. Jared Hughes — If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, he’ll have gone in three of four.
6. Cody Allen — Same with Brad Hand.

Bad news in the Indians pen as Cody Allen struggles and Andrew Miller disappears

August 30, 2018

Cleveland Indians — It’s generally a bad thing when a reliever trends on Twitter, and Cody Allen was no exception on Wednesday night. The formerly dominant closer has struggled this season, no more so than the last 10 days, when he’s given up runs in four of five appearances (13.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP). Making matters even worse for the Indians is Andrew Miller’s return to the disabled list, this time with a shoulder impingement. Without Miller or a reliable Allen, the Tribe will likely turn to Adam Cimber and lefty Oliver Perez. At this point, the only thing keeping us from pulling Brad Hand’s asterisk is Terry Francona’s insistence that he will keep using Allen in high-leverage spots in preparation for the playoffs.

Updated hierarchy: *Hand | Allen | Cimber.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers elected to rest Kenley Jansen and give Wednesday’s save chance to Kenta Maeda. Maeda put three men on and allowed a run, but ultimately eked out his first save of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Maeda | Alexander.

Minnesota Twins — Trevor Hildenberger picked up another save on Wednesday, with Trevor May and Taylor Rogers paving the way to the ninth. As a lefty, Rogers probably is second-most-likely to grab a save for the Twins at this point.

Updated hierarchy: *Hildenberger | Rogers | May.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — Sergio Romo had collected the last two saves since Jose Alvarado grabbed one last week, but Wednesday night, the Rays called on Alvarado again for a save of the four-out variety. The break, combined with Thursday’s off day, gives Romo at least six days of rest heading into September. You can never be sure what the Rays are thinking, though, so we’re going to pop the committee asterisk back on these guys.

Updated hierarchy: *Romo | Alvardo | Roe.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies bullpen continues to be unpredictable. Wednesday night, Victor Arano and Hector Neris split the sixth, Seranthony Dominguez earned the win in the seventh, and Pat Neshek and Luis Avilan tried and failed to get an out in the eighth. Naturally, this left Tommy Hunter to pitch two scoreless innings for his third save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: *Dominguez | Neshek | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Hector Rondon — Roberto Osuna has pitched in four of five (66 pitches).
2. Corbin Burnes — Jeremy Jeffress got a two-inning save on Wednesday and Josh Hader got knocked around in the fifth inning. Joakim Soria has pitched in three of four. There’s a chance Hader goes, but we’ll put our chips on longshot Burnes.
3. Jeanmar Gomez/Juan Minaya — Jace Fry and Xavier Cedeño have each gone in three of four.
4. Jared Hughes — Both Hughes and Raisel Iglesias have gone in two straight, but Iglesias has thrown far more pitches (48-19).

Friday:
None.

Without Chapman, Boone to “mix and match” in the Yankees ninth

August 23, 2018

New York Yankees — Aaron Boone hasn’t been thrilling Yankee fans with his bullpen management lately. Now with Aroldis Chapman headed to the disabled list, Boone says he’ll “mix and match” in the ninth inning among Dellin Betances, Zach Britton, and David Robertson. Robertson has had recent shoulder concerns, but he also has closing experience and great numbers this month. Britton has a 5.23 ERA in 11 appearances for New York, and has yet to prove he’s the same unhittable reliever we saw in 2014-2016. Betances has been outstanding since mid-May, allowing only three runs over his last 36 appearances, but Boone may hesitate to move him from his dominant eighth-inning role. If Robertson is actually healthy, he could get the first shot, but we’ll keep Betances in the first chair of this committee for now.

Updated hierarchy: *Betances | Robertson | Britton.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves — AJ Minter said he was available on Wednesday, but Brian Snitker elected to give him one more day of rest and use Jonny Venters to pick up the save. Venters, Brad Brach, and Dan Winkler are fairly equal in the Atlanta pen, but we’ll give Venters a turn in the hierarchy after this save. He still hasn’t allowed a run after 11 appearances with the Braves.

Updated hierarchy: Minter | Winkler | Venters.

Chicago White Sox — The White Sox traded Luis Avilan to Philadelphia and called up relief prospect Ryan Burr. Burr, the all-time leader in saves at Arizona State, is probably as likely as anyone in this random bullpen to grab saves going forward, but for now we’ll reshuffle Jace Fry, Xavier Cedeno, and Jeanmar Gomez in roughly the order they’ve been appearing lately.

Updated hierarchy: *Fry | Cedeno | Gomez.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets — Robert Gsellman pitched the eighth inning against the heart of the Giants lineup, but with Seth Lugo coming off 52 pitches over the last three days, Mickey Callaway called on Daniel Zamora and Paul Sewald to close the game. Sewald still has an 0-10 career record, but now he has a save to go with it. Expect Gsellman and Lugo to be rested more often down the stretch.

Hierarchy remains: *Gsellman | Lugo | Blevins.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Bud Norris got a night off and Jordan Hicks grabbed the save by striking out the side with 103 MPH heat.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hicks | Hudson.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Two appearances for Kenley Jansen since his DL stint; three home runs allowed. We continue to expect this is just a blip that won’t affect his long-term value.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Alexander | Maeda.

Milwaukee Brewers — Jeremy Jeffress entered with the bases loaded in the eighth and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up his second straight save.

Hierarchy remains: *Hader | Jeffress | Burnes.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jose Alvarado — Sergio Romo has gone in three of four. Although Alvarado has too, he threw only four pitches on Wednesday and none on Tuesday.
2. Seth Lugo — Gsellman has gone in two of three.

Friday:
1. Cody Allen — An appearance Thursday would be three in four days for Brad Hand.

Kenley Jansen hopes to be back next week

August 18, 2018

Los Angeles Dodgers – The injuries keep piling up for the Dodgers as Erik Goeddel returned to the DL yesterday. Meanwhile, the Dodgers hope to get Kenley Jansen back early next week, as the all-star closer chose to delay surgery until the offseason. The Dodgers need the help since the bullpen has been woeful in the past week, although they did a fine job protecting a 10-run lead last night. Jansen is likely to go straight back to closing as soon as he is cleared to play, so this may be the last weekend for Scott Alexander or Kenta Maeda to snag a save opportunity.

Updated hierarchy: *Alexander | Maeda | Chargois.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants – Hunter Strickland is due to be activated from the DL today and should return to high-leverage situations immediately. Will Smith has been outstanding for the Giants, recording 10 saves over the past six weeks, so until Strickland starts pulling save opportunities from him, he will return behind Smith and Tony Watson.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Watson | Strickland. 

Chicago Cubs – As the Vulture Save Watch noted, CJ Edwards and Pedro Strop were both given the night off, leaving a mixture of four pitchers to protect a one-run lead. Joe Maddon elected to play matchups, and it fell to Jesse Chavez to get the final two outs of the game. He walked a batter but got David Freese to ground into the Pirates seventh double play of the night, tying a major league record. Chavez has been excellent since coming over from the Texas Rangers, but he isn’t going to crack the stacked Cubs hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: Strop | Kintzler | Edwards.

Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen got the ninth inning for the Indians in a one-run game last night. He worked around a walk to strike out two batters and earn his 24th save of the year. This is also his fourth save since the Indians acquired Brad Hand. Hand also has four saves, making this one of the most even committees in the league. Expect Allen and Hand to trade off save opportunities as long as both pitchers are effective.

Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Allen | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — In a curious move, the Yankees brought out newly acquired closer Mother Nature while they batted in the 7th inning. She brought the thunder, ending the game moments after Giancarlo Stanton put the Yankees up by two with a homer off of Marcus Stroman. Never one to accumulate statistics, Nature granted the recorded save to David Robertson, but unofficial records have her perfect in save opportunities in her journeywoman career, having suited up for all 30 teams at some point. Despite her age of roughly 4.5 billion years, Nature shows no signs of stopping, but isn’t a consistent part of the Yankees bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Britton.

Minnesota Twins — Despite Trevor Hildenberger converting all three save chances he has been given since the Fernando Rodney trade, Paul Molitor elected to use Matt Magill to protect a two-run lead in the 9th. Magill gave up a run and put runners on first and second before Taylor Rogers came in to put out the fire. Rogers got a groundout to earn his first save of the season. Rogers had a rough start to the season, but he has run off 11 straight scoreless appearances and has five holds in August. Rogers is generally a LOOGY-type pitcher, but given his recent run he is worth an add in holds leagues if he is available. He may even snag a couple more save opportunities if the matchups are right.

Hierarchy remains: *Hildenberger | Reed | May.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Seranthony Dominugez earned a break following two straight nights of work, which left the door open for Pat Neshek to record his third save of the year after Victor Arano pitched against the top of the Mets order in the eighth.

Hierarchy remains: *Dominguez | Arano | Neshek.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jared Hughes — Raisel Iglesias threw 26 pitches last night and has pitched in three of the last four. Hughes has pitched on the same days, but only threw three pitches last night.
2. Cory Gearrin — Jose Leclerc has pitched back-to-back days (30 pitches) and could get today off.

Sunday:
1. Jeurys Familia — Blake Trienen threw 22 pitches last night and is coming off of three days in a row earlier this week. If he goes today, he will likely get a rest on Sunday.
2. Jordan Hicks — Today would be two straight and three of four for Bud Norris.

Dodgers overhaul bullpen with Maeda, Stripling; Madson claims injury after blown save

August 13, 2018

Los Angeles Dodgers – With Alex Wood and Hyun-Jin Ryu ready to return to the rotation, Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling are headed for the bullpen. They are both having perfectly fine seasons, so this isn’t really viewed as a demotion for either of them, and Dave Roberts now has some intriguing options for the late innings. Maeda is viewed as more likely to enter into the mix for saves, as the Dodgers hope that Stripling will eventually return to the rotation. But in the short term, Maeda will probably be slotted for long relief, as the Dodgers are assuming that Ryu’s first start off the DL on Wednesday will be a short one. However, we’ll still slot Maeda in behind Scott Alexander and see how the next week or so plays out.

Updated hierarchy: *Alexander | Maeda | Stripling.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Ken Giles had allowed 7 ERs in his first 3.2 IP with Toronto, but yesterday’s outing was a step in the right direction, as Giles threw a perfect inning and recorded his first save. If he can string a few saves together, he might win the job outright.

Hierarchy remains: *Giles | Tepera | Clippard.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – Seth Lugo allowed a couple of hits in the 9th inning, but held on to pick up his first save of the season. Robert Gsellman got the 8th inning, and one of these two should be in line for almost all of the Mets’ save opportunities down the stretch. We still think Gsellman will get the ball a little more often, but if Mickey Callaway deploys them in this fashion again, we’ll consider swapping them in the hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: *Gsellman | Lugo | Blevins.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen picked up a 1-out save on Sunday after Adam Cimber and Dan Otero let the game get a little too close for comfort. Brad Hand, coming off a 29-pitch outing on Saturday, was given the day off.

Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Allen | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals — After hitting two guys and giving up a two-out, two-strike, walk-off, pinch-hit grand slam, Ryan Madson helpfully revealed that he has been suffering from “shooting” pain in his back and leg, limiting his repertoire to fastballs. Even if Madson avoids the DL, we have a hard time imagining a scenario where he gets the next save opportunity — so we expect a committee starring Koda Glover and Justin Miller, with Greg Holland also lurking. Sean Doolittle, possibly throwing off a mound on Monday, can’t get back soon enough for the Nats.

Updated hierarchy: *Glover | Miller | Holland.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Alex Colome – Edwin Diaz has pitched in four straight.
2. Brad Brach/Adam Conley – The Marlins and Braves play a doubleheader today.

Tomorrow
1. Alex Colome – Edwin Diaz has pitched in four straight, which often warrants two days off.
2. Tony Watson – If Will Smith goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
3. Joe Jimenez – If Shane Greene goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
4. Brad Brach/Adam Conley – The Marlins and Braves play a doubleheader today. If either closer goes in both games, they’ll probably be off tomorrow.