Trevor Hildenberger records save for Twins

August 12, 2018

Minnesota Twins — Trevor Hildenberger received the first post-Fernando Rodney save chance and it got off to a rocky start.  Hildenberger walked the leadoff batter in the ninth, gave up a homer to the next batter to make it a one-run game, and then gave up a single.  He was able to recover by getting the next three batters out, including two strikeouts, to lock down his first save of the season.  It wasn’t pretty, and Hildenberg has given up the most home runs of any Twins’ reliever this season, but it says a lot that Hildenberger got the first chance and converted it.  He thinks he might be tipping his off-speed pitches and we will see if he can figure that out. Trevor May pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of Hildenberger and has now recorded holds in three of his five appearances this season.

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

Milwaukee Brewers — Josh Hader pitched two perfect innings on Saturday to record his ninth save of the season.  Corbin Burnes pitched a scoreless seventh inning to pick up the win and could continue to see time in the later innings after manager Craig Counsell said he won’t be using Corey Knebel in those situations for a while.

Updated hierarchy: *Hader | Jeffress | Burnes.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — Jordan Hicks came on to get the last out of the eighth inning with the Cardinals up 3.  After the Cardinals added two more runs to make it a 5 run lead, Hicks came back out for the ninth to get his third save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hicks | Hudson.

Cleveland Indians — Brad Hand got 5 outs between the 7th and 8th innings and that left Cody Allen for the save opportunity in the ninth.  Allen worked around a leadoff hit to pitch a scoreless inning and convert his 22nd save of the season.  The Indians will likely continue to mix and match with Hand and Allen.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dellin Betances – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two of three, throwing a total of 53 pitches.
2. James Pazos – Edwin Diaz and Alex Colome have both pitched in three straight
3. Jeremy Jeffress – Josh Hader recorded a two-inning save yesterday.

Monday
1. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias pitches on Sunday, it will be three straight.
2. Adam Conley – The Marlins have a doubleheader on Monday…
3. Brad Brach – …Against the Braves

Kenley Jansen out for a month with heart trouble

[EDITOR’S NOTE: We are running our annual Donation Drive this week. Thank you, as always, for supporting us!]

August 10, 2018

Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen will miss at least a month with a recurrence of an irregular heartbeat — the same problem that sidelined him in 2011 and 2012, eventually leading to offseason surgery. With Jansen out, Scott Alexander should see the bulk of any save chances, including the one he converted Thursday night.

Updated hierarchy: Alexander | Floro | Chargois. 

Minnesota Twins — Like we told you in last night’s alert, the Twins traded closer Fernando Rodney to the A’s, leaving a committee situation in his wake. We expect Trevor Hildenberger and Addison Reed to lead that committee to start, though both have pitched poorly as of late, leaving things wide open for some of the Twins’ younger arms (subscription). For what it’s worth, Reed got the ninth in a tie game Thursday night, and picked up the loss. Taylor Rogers may get a shot down the stretch — he’s been impressive lately, allowing no runs or walks (and just two hits) over his last seven appearances. Trevor May and Gabriel Moya also have legitimate chances.

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

Milwaukee Brewers — Corey Knebel melted down again on Thursday, failing to record an out, putting four guys on base, and inciting more angry tweets from pseudocelebrities. In relief of Knebel, Joakim Soria gave up a grand slam before leaving with a mild groin strain. After the game, Craig Counsell promised to give Knebel a lower-leverage outing next time, although he added that he expected Knebel to reclaim the ninth before long. For now, we’ll slide him behind Josh Hader and Jeremy Jeffress, each of whom have been phenomenal this season.

Updated hierarchy: *Hader | Jeffress | Knebel.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies — Wade Davis’s days as Rockies closer are numbered — or they should be, after Thursday night’s loss sent his ERA soaring to 5.51 and turned the Rockies’ official Twitter account into a group therapy session. Adam Ottavino has been dynamite this year and would likely have the job all to his lonesome if Davis is removed from the role.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Ottavino | Oh. 

Oakland A’s — The A’s acquired Fernando Rodney from Minnesota, but he doesn’t break into their late-inning hierarchy at this point. Consider him fourth or fifth in line in this strong bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Treinen | Familia | Trivino.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Josh Hader — Corey Knebel needs some time off and Jeremy Jeffress has gone in two straight.
2. Jose Alvarado/Ryne Stanek — Sergio Romo has pitched in three straight, and Alvarado has gone in two in a row. Although Stanek has been the team’s designated “opener” lately, he might get a shot at the ninth again.
3. Ryan Tepera — Ken Giles has gone in two of three, and has given up runs in five of his last six outings.
4. Cody Allen — Brad Hand has pitched in two straight and these two are splitting opportunities.

Saturday:
1. Justin Miller — Ryan Madson has gone in two of three.

Ryan Madson will close for Washington, at least until Sean Doolittle returns

[EDITOR’S NOTE: We are running our annual Donation Drive this week. Thank you, as always, for supporting us!]

August 9, 2018

Washington Nationals — Dave Martinez confirmed that it’ll be Ryan Madson getting the ninth inning with Kelvin Herrera on the shelf. Justin Miller and Koda Glover will split the set-up role, with Greg Holland lurking as another potential high-leverage option, if he can figure things out. Meanwhile, Sean Doolittle (stress reaction in left foot) has been cleared to throw on flat ground, but is trying not to rush back too soon.

Updated hierarchy: Madson | Miller | Glover.

Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen isn’t making the most of his chances at the ninth inning. In a save chance on Wednesday, he gave up a leadoff home run and put two other guys on before escaping the inning and winding up with a walk-off win.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
None.

Friday:
1. Jose Alvarado — Sergio Romo has pitched in two straight, including a blown save on Wednesday.
2. Josh Hader — Corey Knebel threw 24 pitches on Wednesday and 46 pitches in outings over the weekend.
3. Roberto Osuna — An appearance today for Hector Rondon would mark three in four days.

Dakota Hudson rising in the St. Louis bullpen

August 2, 2018

Cleveland Indians — The Indians have two legitimate closers at the moment, with a third (Andrew Miller) about to return after consecutive scoreless outings for the Columbus Clippers. Wednesday it was Brad Hand with the five-out save.

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

St. Louis Cardinals — 23-year-old Dakota Hudson got the seventh inning in a one-run game, claiming third chair in the Cardinals bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: Norris | Hicks | Hudson. 

Washington Nationals — Kelvin Herrera allowed a run in the ninth, but hung on to earn his second save as a National. The team will fight for a playoff spot without veteran reliever Shawn Kelley, who was designated for assignment after throwing his glove in frustration when the Mets got within three touchdowns on Tuesday. Kelley’s tantrum was one of the mildest on this fun list of epic sports meltdowns.

Hierarchy remains: *Herrera | Madson | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles — Mychal Givens has allowed runs in five of his last six appearances, including Tuesday afternoon, where he was summoned in the eighth with a six-run lead but left after giving up two hits and two walks. The Orioles are on pace to pick up nine more saves this year, but are they really worth what they’ll cost your fantasy team?

Hierarchy remains: Givens | Fry | Wright Jr.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
None.

Friday:
1. Jose Alvarado — Sergio Romo has gone in two straight.
2. Josh Hader — Corey Knebel has gone in two of three.

Jeremy Jeffress vultures save for Brewers

August 1, 2018

Milwaukee Brewers – After Joakim Soria pitched a clean eighth inning, Jeremy Jeffress closed out a 1-0 win in the ninth to collect his fourth save of the season. Craig Counsell said after the game that Jeffress got the ninth instead of Corey Knebel because of the righties that were coming to the plate. Had there been at least a couple lefties due up in the ninth, it would have been Knebel’s inning. That’s not exactly what Knebel owners want to hear, as this effectively puts the Brewers into a committee for as long as Counsell decides to worry about matchups in the ninth inning.

Updated hierarchy: *Knebel | Hader | Jeffress.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks were busy on Tuesday, as they not only acquired Jake Diekman from across the stadium, but brought back a familiar face in Brad Ziegler from the Marlins. Arizona now has an extremely deep bullpen, as Ziegler and Diekman will nicely complement Yoshihisa Hirano, Archie Bradley and closer Brad Boxberger. While Torey Lovullo wants to keep Boxberger, Bradley and Hirano in their respective roles, we think that the experienced Ziegler will be the most likely person to vulture a save should both Boxberger and Bradley be unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Bradley | Ziegler.

Texas Rangers – Jake Diekman was the final Rangers reliever to find a new home, as Texas sent Jake Diekman to Arizona on Tuesday. Jose Leclerc should take over the ninth inning, while Alex Claudio and Cory Gearrin will be the Rangers’ other late-inning options. Don’t forget about Chris Martin as well, who was just activated from the DL and may eventually challenge for the ninth inning.

Updated hierarchy: Leclerc | Claudio | Gearrin.

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs added former National Brandon Kintzler at the deadline, giving them another late-inning option. Joe Maddon said that his bullpen has a lot of guys who can finish a game, and Kintzler very well might be one of those guys. We’ll hold him out of the hierarchy for now, but don’t be too surprised if Kintzler pitches in a few different scenarios for the Cubs.

Hierarchy remains: *Strop | Edwards | Cishek.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals — The Nationals traded Brandon Kintzler to the Cubs on Tuesday. Justin Miller (3.66 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 11.81 K/9) could benefit from Kintzler’s absence, especially with Sean Doolittle still on the DL.

Updated hierarchy: *Herrera | Madson | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – John Axford, acquired by the Dodgers on Tuesday, is expected to join the squad on Friday. Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi said that he doesn’t see the club having a set eighth-inning guy and expects Axford to get outs wherever needed, though that may include the seventh or eighth innings depending on matchups.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Goeddel | Alexander.

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays were busy on Tuesday, dealing Aaron Loup to the Phillies and John Axford to the Dodgers. Expect Ryan Tepera, Ken Giles and Tyler Clippard to be the three main relievers for Toronto during the rest of the season, with Giles to join the squad on Thursday.

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

Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen took over for Brad Hand with two outs in the eighth and retired the lone batter he faced in the frame. Allen then stayed out there after Cleveland tacked on another run in the ninth to close out a 6-2 win. Hand faced the 3-4-5 hitters, two of which were lefties. More relevant than the save for Allen has not allowed an earned run over his last five appearances, though he does only have one strikeout during that span. Expect Terry Francona to continue to deploy Hand and Allen in this fashion, with Hand more likely to face a lefty-heavy part of the order.

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

Miami Marlins — Adam Conley heads into the hierarchy after Brad Ziegler’s move to Arizona.

Updated hierarchy: Barraclough | Steckenrider | Conley.

VULTURE POSITION PLAYER PITCHING WATCH
Today
1. Jose Bautista – Jose Reyes held the Nationals to six runs on just five hits in Tuesday’s ninth inning, but he needed 48 pitches in the process. Should the Mets fall behind by 18 for a second straight night, Reyes will be unavailable.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Adam Ottavino – Wade Davis has gone in three of the last four while Ottavino was held out of last night’s contest.
2. Dellin Betances/Zach Britton – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in three of the last four. The Yankees have a four-game series with the Red Sox starting on Thursday, so they may take an opportunity to rest both Chapman and Dellin Betances tonight.
3. Keone Kela/Kyle Crick – Felipe Vazquez has throw 41 pitches over the last three days. The Pirates have Thursday off, but if new addition Keone Kela is available tonight, this might be a good time to use him.

Tomorrow
1. Xavier Cedeno – If Jace Fry pitches today, that will be two straight and four of five.
2. Kevin McCarthy/Brandon Maurer – Wily Peralta threw 21 pitches yesterday. Kevin McCarthy also pitched yesterday, so if both he and Peralta are taxed on Wednesday, that could pave the way for a Brandon Maurer save chance.