Does Ken Giles still have a puncher’s chance of keeping closer’s job?

May 4, 2018

Houston Astros — A save situation presented itself to Astros manager AJ Hinch on Thursday, but this time he used Will Harris with the team leading 5-3 over the Yankees. Harris did not deliver, loading the bases before departing. Brad Peacock then allowed a two-run single to tie the game and a fielder’s choice to give New York the lead and the win. Nowhere to be found was Ken Giles, who hasn’t been seen on a mound since he punched himself walking off of it. After the game, Hinch indicated he didn’t use Giles because he thought “Harris could get those guys out due to matchups.” Chris Devenski, who was well-rested, pitched a clean eighth but did not stay out for the ninth. For now, we’ll keep Giles atop this committee, with Devenski, who has been dynamite this year, lurking.

Hierarchy remains: *Giles | Devenski | Peacock.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians – Andrew Miller could be activated from the disabled list this weekend, and good, because Cleveland’s bullpen (aside from Cody Allen) has had a rough go of it without him. After allowing a game-tying two-run shot in Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader and a single the following inning, Nick Goody left the game with elbow inflammation and was placed on the DL. As for who hands the ball to Allen while Miller is still out? Let’s give Dan Otero a shot to help Tyler Olson – who allowed a go-ahead grand slam Thursday – get the job done in the late innings. Zach McAllister and his 9.00 ERA may factor in as well.

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Olson | Otero. 

Atlanta Braves — It turns out that Shane Carle is okay and will likely be available on Friday after suffering a finger/forearm “stinger” that seemed pretty ominous at the time.

Hierarchy remains: *Vizcaino | Minter | Carle.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers — Corey Knebel is throwing for the Biloxi Shuckers these days as he continues to work his way back from injury. Pitching against the Jumbo Shrimp in a seafood battle for the ages on Thursday, Knebel tossed a scoreless inning. Milwaukee hasn’t missed a beat without Knebel – they have the second-best bullpen ERA in the big leagues. Josh Hader has been electric in Knebel’s stead and may not relinquish the closer’s gig right away — if at all — when Knebel returns.

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

San Francisco Giants — Mark Melancon (forearm) is expected to throw a bullpen session this weekend, which is a positive step. He has been only throwing on flat ground during the rehab process. Meanwhile, Will Smith walked one and struck out two in his scoreless 2018 debut on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Strickland | Watson | Dyson.

Tampa Bay Rays – Welcome back to the major leagues, Jonny Venters! He hasn’t pitched since the 2012 playoffs, when Hall of Famer Chipper Jones was still active. Venters, now 33, underwent an incredible 3.5 Tommy John surgeries to get to this point, and the lefty specialist has allowed just one hit in 2.1 innings since his call-up.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Romo | Alvarado.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Nick Vincent — Closer Edwin Diaz and setup man Juan Nicasio have each worked in three straight and four of five.
2. Josh Fields — Kenley Jansen has pitched in three straight games.

Friday:
1. Brad Keller — A Friday appearance would be Kelvin Herrera’s third in four days.
2. David Robertson — Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two of three and three of five. He can go Friday, but that would likely mean a day off on Saturday.
3. Ryan Tepera — Entering today’s game, Roberto Osuna has pitched in three of the last four days, but with a relatively light workload (34 pitches). Tepera could spell him Saturday if need be.

Barraclough records save, plus a panda sighting?

April 29, 2018

Miami Marlins — With Brad Ziegler not 100%, the Marlins turned to Kyle Barraclough to protect a three-run lead.  Barraclough responded by striking out the side for his first save of the season.  Ziegler has not pitched particularly well so far this season and this could be a preview of things to come if his struggles continue.

Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Barraclough | Steckenrider.

Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino converted his second straight save opportunity since AJ Minter got the save on Wednesday.  Vizcaino struck out the side yesterday and has now put together seven straight scoreless appearances.

Hierarchy remains: *Vizcaino | Minter | Carle.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants — The Giants gave up 15 runs in game 1 of their doubleheader against the Dodgers yesterday, but there was one “pitcher” who had a good game.  Pablo Sandoval was the only Giant to pitch a 1-2-3 inning.  He hit 88-mph with his fastball and threw this nice little curve for a strike.

Hierarchy remains: Strickland | Watson | Dyson.

Kansas City Royals – Brad Keller pitched the eighth inning ahead of closer Kelvin Herrera for the second straight game.  The Royals are still figuring out the best way to get the ball to Herrera, but we will move Keller back onto the hierarchy based on his recent usage.

Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Keller | Flynn.

Cleveland Indians — Andrew Miller, who has been placed on the 10-day disabled list, was able to play catch on Saturday.  It looks like Miller shouldn’t be out much longer than the required 10 days, but while is out, fellow lefty Tyler Olson should help set-up closer, Cody Allen.

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Goody | Olson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. AJ Ramos – Jeurys Familia will not be with the team today after his father-in-law passed away.
2. Brad Keller/Brian Flynn – Kelvin Herrera has pitched in three straight.  Brad Keller has pitched in two straight and three of four so it could be Flynn if both Herrera and Keller are rested on Sunday.
3. Drew Steckenrider – Kyle Barraclough has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing a total of 40 pitches, so if Brad Ziegler is unable to go again today, it could be Drew Steckenrider’s turn.
4. Chris Martin – Keone Kela has pitched in two straight and three of four.
5. Archie Bradley – Brad Boxberger has gone in two in a row.  Bradley has also pitched both days but has thrown fewer pitches so he could still be available.

Monday
1. Tony Watson – Hunter Strickland has pitched in two straight
2. George Kontos – If Felipe Vazquez pitches on Sunday, it will be four out of five.
3. Ryan Madson/Brandon Kintzler – Sean Doolittle has pitched in two straight.  Ryan Madson has also pitched in two straight so if both are used on Sunday, that could leave Brandon Kintzler for any save opportunities on Monday.

Keynan Middleton, Matt Albers now sitting atop their respective committees

April 10, 2018

Los Angeles Angels – With the major caveat that this is Mike Scioscia, recent usage suggests something we’ve alluded to in our last two Angels updates: that Keynan Middleton looks like the guy to own in the Angels bullpen right now. The latest example comes from last night’s game, which played out like this: The Angels were up four runs in the 7th, and they went to Jim Johnson. He gave up a run and Blake Parker started getting loose for the 8th. The Angels tacked on three runs in the top half, turning it into a 6-run game and making it a lower-leverage spot for Parker (who would probably benefit from a few more such outings). Parker pitched a clean 8th and then gave way to Cam Bedrosian in the 9th with the lead still at 6; Bedrosian proceeded to give up a run before closing things out. Inconspicuous in his absence was Middleton, who was never asked to get loose once the game got out of hand. As such, we’re cautiously moving him to the top of the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: *Middleton | Bedrosian | Parker.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers – Matt Albers got the save chance in a 1-run-game last night and blew it, but stayed on for the 10th after the Brewers had regained the lead. Jacob Barnes and Josh Hader had both pitched earlier, so even though Albers didn’t have a perfect outing, the fact that the Brewers held on to win suggests he’s a decent bet for the next opportunity. But should that opportunity come tonight, the veteran may not be available, and if Barnes or someone else converts, then this situation will remain quite clouded going forward. Still, for the time being, we’ll inch Albers to the top.

Updated hierarchy: *Albers | Barnes | Hader.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – Kirby Yates was placed on the disabled list yesterday with a right ankle injury. Holds in this bullpen will likely be few and far between, but look for Jordan Lyles to benefit. Craig Stammen moves up as the likely handcuff Hand-cuff.

Updated hierarchy: Hand | Stammen | Lyles.

Philadelphia Phillies – Hector Neris finally got his first save of the season last night, and for Neris’s second straight appearance, it was Luis Garcia who pitched the 8th before him. He’s the most likely to get a save for the Phillies on nights where Neris is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Neris | Garcia | Morgan.

Cleveland Indians – Andrew Miller picked up his first save of the season yesterday in the Indians 2-0 victory. This isn’t the result of any type of committee taking shape; rather, it’s that Tito Francona has the luxury of two stud relievers, and Allen (4 IPs in previous 5 days), had been used a little more often recently than Miller.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Miller | Goody.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Archie Bradley got his first save of the season last night. Brad Boxberger remains the closer; Arizona is just being cautious about his usage in the early going. Look for Bradley to snag a few more saves now and again as a result.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Bradley | Hirano.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today/tomorrow
1. Sergio Romo – Alex Colome has gone back to back games.

Tomorrow
1. Chris Devenski – If Ken Giles goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
2. AJ Ramos – If Jeurys Familia goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.

 

2018 AL Central Preview

February 26, 2018

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox have a few different options for closer to start the season.  Veteran closer Joakim Soria was signed this offseason and would be happy to accept the job.  Juan Minaya finished last year as the closer, including converting all six of his save chances in September.  Nate Jones was stellar in 2016, but missed most of last season with injuries.  Jones says that he will be ready for opening day, and should challenge for the role if healthy.  We think Soria gets the first shot at closing, but one long shot to keep an eye out for is Thyago Vieira, who can touch 102 with his fastball.

Starting 2018 hierarchy: Soria | Minaya | Jones.
Holds candidates: Minaya, Jones, Luis Avilan.

Cleveland Indians – The Indians will bring back closer Cody Allen and ace reliever Andrew Miller in 2018.  However, they lost Brian Shaw, who was a workhorse out of the bullpen last year, and Joe Smith, who was a key contributor after he was acquired midseason.  The Indians re-signed Dan Otero and he could step into the seventh-inning role.  Lefty Tyler Olson should also see time in the later innings, after he posted a 0.00 ERA in 30 games last year for the Tribe.  

Starting 2018 hierarchy: Allen | Miller | Otero.
Holds candidates: Miller, Otero, Olson.

Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene finished last year as the closer and it’s his job to lose heading into spring training.  Behind Greene, the Tigers have a lot of question marks.  Alex Wilson should fill a role in the back end of the bullpen, but he is also fighting for a spot in the rotation this spring.   Lefty Daniel Stumpf joins Greene and Wilson as established members of the bullpen, but Joe Jimenez is more exciting from a fantasy perspective.  Jimenez has stellar numbers in Triple-A, and although he struggled in the majors last year, he is hoping his off-season work will pay off this year.  

Starting 2018 hierarchy: Greene | Wilson | Stumpf.
Holds candidates: Wilson, Stumpf.

Kansas City Royals – The Royals’ bullpen, which was a major strength during their World Series runs, will be a big question mark going into 2018.  Kelvin Herrera started 2017 as closer, but finished the year with the highest ERA of his career and was removed from the role late in the season.  Still, Herrera is probably the best bet to start 2018 as the closer after the Royals lost Mike Minor and Joakim Soria in the off-season — if Herrera doesn’t get traded.  Brandon Maurer will also be an option to close after recording 22 saves last year between the Padres and Royals.  Don’t let the save numbers fool you on Maurer, though; he finished last year with an ERA over 6.50 — it was over 8 in his 26 games with the Royals.  Wily Peralta will be a guy to keep an eye on as the Royals could try to convert him from a starter into a late-inning guy like they did with Wade Davis and Luke Hochevar.

Starting 2018 hierarchy: Herrera | Maurer | Peralta.
Holds candidates: Maurer, Peralta.

Minnesota Twins — The Twins have revamped their bullpen for 2018.  Fernando Rodney is the closer, while Addison Reed will fill an important role at the back end of the bullpen.  Trevor Hildenberger pitched well for the Twins last year, and he should split seventh-inning duties with newly acquired lefty Zach Duke.

Starting 2018 hierarchy: Rodney | Reed | Hildenberger.
Holds candidates: Reed, Hildenberg, Zach Duke.

A new king of the ninth inning for the Royals?

September 22, 2017

Kansas City Royals — Mike Minor picked up his second save of the season in a tight 1-0 win Thursday. Minor also had the Royals’ previous save in their now-historic win over the Indians last week. Given the usage, we’ll slide him ahead of Scott Alexander, who last had a save on Sept. 12, pitching in three losses since.

Updated hierarchy: *Minor | Alexander | Maurer.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers – On a night when Cole Hamels tossed the first eight innings, Keone Kela got the call in the ninth inning Thursday and converted his second save of the season (he did allow a solo HR). Alex Claudio was unavailable, as forecast by the Vulture Save Watch. Matt Bush had gone in three of the previous four. Tony Barnette, meanwhile, was well-rested but nowhere to be seen. We’ll slide Kela into the mix of a messy situation.

Updated hierarchy: *Claudio | Bush | Kela.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians — When you’re 27-1 over your last 28 games (a streak matched only by the 1884 Providence Grays), you’re going to use your best relievers a lot. As a result, Terry Francona elected to rest closer Cody Allen for a second straight day Thursday after he went in four of the previous six games. This decision came after starter Danny Salazar only lasted 2.2 innings, forcing Francona to mow through five bullpen arms (including Andrew Miller) before handing the ball in the ninth inning to Tyler Olson, who picked up his first career save. Olson hasn’t allowed a run yet this season. Impressive, but he probably won’t tally another save before the end of the season. Allen, meanwhile, will be available on Friday.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Shaw | Miller.

Milwaukee Brewers — Up 3-2 in the ninth inning, the Brewers opted to go with former closer Jeremy Jeffress, who gave up a run to blow the save. As we predicted, Corey Knebel and Anthony Swarzak needed rest, but Milwaukee elected to go with Jeffress instead of Josh Hader, who had gone in two of the previous three and also needed rest, according to manager Craig Counsell. For now, consider Jeffress third in line to the throne.

Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Swarzak | Hader.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach, who nailed down the save Thursday after Zach Britton was shut down for the rest of the season, has gone in four of the last five (82 pitches).

Saturday:
1. Jose Ramirez –If Arodys Vizcaino goes Friday, that’ll be three straight games for him.
2. CJ Edwards/Pedro Strop –Wade Davis threw 29 pitches Thursday. Heading into Friday, he has gone in two of three and five of the last seven. Edwards, too, has had the same string of appearances, but he has thrown fewer pitches. Strop has been busy, too, but less busy than the other two.
3. Danny Farquhar — Juan Minaya has pitched in two straight. Friday would make three in a row.