Did we . . . break Andrew Miller?

June 15, 2017

Cleveland Indians — Uh, guys, ever since we praised Andrew Miller by comparing him to peak-level Fernando Rodney, his ERA has quintupled, he’s given up two home runs, and he’s lost two straight games. WE DIDN’T MEAN IT, ANDREW!! COME BACK TO US!!

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Miller | Shaw.

San Diego Padres — It’s been nearly three weeks since anyone but Brandon Maurer sniffed a save opportunity for the Padres. We’ll bid farewell to the committee asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Hand | Buchter.

Los Angeles Angels — As we predicted Wednesday morning, David Hernandez picked up the save while Bud Norris got the night off. And all of this happened because Joe Girardi is currently insisting on using rookies instead of effective pitchers.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hernandez | Parker.

Detroit Tigers — We told you in Wednesday’s VSW that K-Rod was getting more high-leverage looks, and now Brad Ausmus has confirmed the shift — although the article also reports that the former closer still isn’t pleased with his role. Stay tuned.

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

Miami Marlins — After struggling with control (21 BB in his first 22.1 IP), Kyle Barraclough has righted the ship. Wednesday’s clean fifth inning was his fourth straight walkless outing. The Marlins have given Barraclough a recent rest from high-leverage use, but we think his renaissance keeps him ahead of Brad Ziegler and Nick Wittgren in the Miami pen.

Hierarchy remains: Ramos | Phelps | Barraclough.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Pedro Baez — Kenley Jansen hasn’t thrown many pitches, but he’s gone in four out of five.

Friday:
1. Jacob Barnes/Carlos Torres — Corey Knebel has pitched in two straight.

Joe Girardi misbehaves and Ben Heller gets spanked

June 14, 2017

New York Yankees — The Yankees lost in extra innings when Joe Girardi unaccountably called on Ben Heller (in his season debut) in a tight spot — leaving Dellin Betances on the shelf — and Eric Young, Jr. lined the game-winning single straight off Heller’s haunches. Although Aroldis Chapman’s planned rehab outing was rained out in Tampa, he should pitch tonight, then Friday in Trenton, before an expected activation on Sunday. Maybe by then Heller will be able to sit down again.

Hierarchy remains: Betances | Clippard | Warren.

St. Louis Cardinals — Another day, another three-inning save, this one the first in the career of lefty Tyler Lyons. Free Premium for the first person to email us a screenshot of Lyons delivering that save to your fantasy team.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Rosenthal | Bowman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. David Hernandez — As we warned you yesterday, Bud Norris has pitched in three straight games (60 pitches).
2. Shane Greene/Francisco Rodriguez — Both Alex and Justin Wilson threw 27 pitches last night and have gone in two of three. We think Greene is still next in line, but ol’ K-Rod has been creeping back into the late innings too.
3. Daniel Hudson — Felipe Rivero seems to be the man in Pittsburgh, but both he and Juan Nicasio have pitched in three out of the last four.

Thursday:
1. Matt Barnes — Craig Kimbrel has gone in two straight.

Justin Wilson records first save since taking over as closer

May 14, 2017

Detroit Tigers – Justin Wilson struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning on Saturday night.  It was an impressive outing for Wilson, who recently took over as closer for the active saves leader Francisco Rodriguez.

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

San Francisco Giants — Derek Law had an easier time in his second save opportunity since closer Mark Melancon went on the DL.  Law pitched a scoreless ninth inning last night to pick up his third save of season.

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

Minnesota Twins – Taylor Rogers got the last out of the 8th inning en route to his tenth hold of the season on Saturday afternoon.  Tyler Duffey has better numbers than Rogers, but the Twins clearly trust Rogers more in tight spots at this point.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Belisle | Rogers.

Boston Red Sox – Yesterday afternoon Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of closer Craig Kimbrel.  Kelly’s ratios are still not great (10 strikeouts to 9 walks), but with Heath Hembree struggling recently, Kelly should continue to see time in the later innings for the Red Sox.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Barnes | Kelly.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Belisle – Brandon Kintzler has appeared in three straight games
2. Pedro Baez – Kelley Jansen has pitched in two straight and has yet to go three in a row this season
3. Josh Osich – Derek Law has pitched in two straight and three of four, while Hunter Strickland has pitched in three straight
4. Joe Smith – Roberto Osuna has gotten a lot of work recently.  Two in a row, three of the past four, and five of the last seven.

Monday
1. Arodys Vizcaino – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight
2. Tommy Kahnle – If David Robertson pitches on Sunday, that will be two straight and three of four.

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.