Sean Doolittle struggles in first outing; Tom Wilhelmsen closes in Seattle

August 24, 2015

New York Mets – Hansel Robles pitched the ninth inning in a 4-run game on Sunday, which is more relevant than usual since Terry Collins was treating almost any lead as a save situation in the Mets’ first two games at Coors Field — Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia had both pitched in 5-run games on Friday and Saturday. Robles has earned the trust of Collins as of late, and going forward, look for him to share the 7th inning with Logan Verrett, who earned a prominent place in the bullpen after his masterful spot start yesterday.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Clippard | Robles.

Oakland A’s – Our initial prognostications were accurate, as Bob Melvin said shortly after Sean Doolittle’s activation that he expects the lefty to win the closer job back. But Doolittle got off to a rocky start yesterday, as his first outing was a 7th-inning appearance that saw him give up a lead. We still think he’s the favorite to emerge from this committee, but other relievers could get save opportunities until he gains his footing.

Hierarchy remains: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Venditte.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa had a horrific outing on Sunday afternoon, allowing seven baserunners and four earned runs in a blown save against the Royals. The biggest thing Tazawa has going for him right now is a lack of competition, but even so, he’s allowed 9 earned runs in his last 8 innings pitched, and isn’t striking out hitters at anywhere close to the rate he was earlier this season. The committee is very much alive in Boston.

Hierarchy remains: Tazawa | Machi | Ogando.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals – Ned Yost wanted to give Greg Holland the day off on Sunday, so Wade Davis picked up his 11th save of the year after the Royals rallied against Junichi Tazawa. If there is even a single middle reliever owned in your league, it should be Davis.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Minnesota Twins – Tommy Milone picked up his first save of the season in a 12-inning game against the Orioles on Sunday. He does not factor in to the Twins usual late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May.

Seattle Mariners – The wholesale changes in the Mariners bullpen didn’t end with DFA’ing Fernando Rodney and demoting Danny Farquhar. They also seem to have removed Carson Smith from the closer role — he finished the 7th and then stayed on for the 8th inning tonight, leaving the 9th to Tom Wilhelmsen. Wilhelmsen closed for the Mariners in 2012 and 2013, and appears to be the stopper once again in Seattle going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Wilhelmsen | Smith | Olmos.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jean Machi/Alexi Ogando, Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa could get a night off to clear his head after his disastrous outing on Sunday.

Drew Pomeranz records save; Jake McGee hurt

August 20, 2015

Oakland A’s – Drew Pomeranz picked up his second save of the season last night, and when asked after the game if Pomeranz is the closer, manager Bob Melvin said “He was today.” Those three words confirm that his committee is still alive, at least for now. Sean Doolittle could rejoin the team as early as Monday, and there is at least some pressure to let Pomeranz have a shot full time. Last night the 9th started with dangerous left handers Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, so Pomeranz’s use could just be playing matchups. We’ll move Pomeranz to the top spot of the hierarchy for now. However, long term it is worth it to go after Sean Doolittle, who may finally bring some major stability to this bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: *Pomeranz | Mujica |Rodriguez.
* = closer-by-committee.

Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxbgerger blew the save last night, and the Rays ended up losing in extra innings. However, his job just got a bit safer because primary set-up man Jake McGee was sent back to Tampa after tweaking his knee in a 33-pitch outing on Tuesday. He will be evaluated today, but Kevin Cash said he may not join the team until next week. Look for Xavier Cedeno and Steve Geltz to see some higher leverage spots while McGee is out, and check back to see how serious this injury is.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | McGee | Cedeno.

Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins had an MRI on Wednesday, and while the results aren’t expected until today, he is on track to rejoin the team for this weekend’s series in Baltimore. While the Twins are still chasing a wild card slot, and a healthy Glen Perkins is their best bet at closer, this is similar to the neck injury that caused him trouble at the end of last year. This is still a situation in progress, and if the MRI comes back with bad news, or Perkins cannot get back on track, Kevin Jepsen will be the first one to get save opportunities. Jepsen is worth an add in the short term no matter what, as Perkins isn’t expected to throw for a couple days.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | Fien.

Philadelphia Phillies — Ken Giles remains the class of the Philadelphia bullpen, but if you are speculating on a handcuff or holds, Luis Garcia may be the next best option. His last three appearances have come in the 8th inning, while Jeanmar Gomez has picked up spots in the 6th and 7th. While it is tough to recommend any Philadelphia reliever besides Giles, if anything happens to him, Garcia has the inside track.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Garcia | Gomez.

Kansas City Royals — Wade Davis continued his dominant season in picking up a save last night. He did give up a hit and a walk, but got Joey Votto to swing through a pitch to end the game. Greg Holland had just thrown 23 pitches in an extra inning game on Tuesday, so this was probably just a normal day off for the Kansas City closer, but his overall numbers this season are down from his untouchable 2014. His command has slipped a bit, and he has lost some velocity on his fastball. Holland is still one of the best relievers in baseball, and we would be more concerned for his job if Davis hadn’t also been slipping a bit in the past two weeks. Despite all this, Ned Yost has only gone to Davis when Holland was injured or unavailable, and the Royals have the best record in the major leagues, so look for them to stick with what got them there.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Los Angeles Angels — With Huston Street unavailable after pitching in three straight, the Angels used slightly more rested Joe Smith for the save. This was Smith’s fourth straight appearance, but he had thrown significantly fewer pitches than Street over the past three days.

Hierarchy remains: Street | Smith | Gott.

New York Yankees — Dellin Betances picked up his eighth save of the year with Andrew Miller unavailable after having pitched in two straight games. Betances to Miller remains one of the best bullpen combinations in the game.

Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Wilson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Jepsen, Minnesota Twins – As noted above, Glen Perkins isn’t expected to throw quite yet as he (and his owners) wait for the results of his MRI.
2. Joakim Soria, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in two straight games, throwing 34 pitches, and may need a night off.
3. Xavier Cedeno, Tampa Bay Rays – Brad Boxberger has pitched in back-to-back games, and with Jake McGee getting evaluated for a knee injury, Xavier Cedeno could get the call.
4. Pat Neshek, Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson has thrown 30 pitches over the past two days.

Greg Holland melts down, Jake Diekman moves up

August 14, 2015

Kansas City Royals — It can’t get worse than how the Royals’ top two relievers performed Thursday night. Wade Davis, who has been unhittable all year, allowed two runs. To put it into context, Davis has now only allowed five earned runs all season (0.96 ERA), but three have come in his last three games. Davis hurt KC, but the Royals still had a 5-3 lead. Enter Greg Holland, who allowed two two-run doubles without recording an out to fork over the lead. He has now allowed 7 earned runs over his last 7 IP, ballooning his ERA from 2.60 to 4.15 (his WHIP now rests at 1.47). Holland isn’t in danger of losing his job yet, but he has to be feeling the heat for the first-place Royals.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Joakim Soria was a key acquisition for Pittsburgh at the deadline, but with Mark Melancon firmly entrenched in the closer’s role (1.53 ERA, 35 saves), Soria’s value has been restricted to holds leagues. None of this should be news to you, but a closer look reveals Soria isn’t the best holds option for the Pirates either. That honor goes to Tony Watson, who pitched the eighth inning last night to secure another hold (his 28th). Watson hasn’t pitched in a loss since June 25. Soria, meanwhile, could only get one out in the seventh inning Thursday, allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk. If Soria keeps struggling, we’ll swap him with Watson, but for now, we’ll leave them be, in the belief that any fill-in chances will go to the guy with the ninth inning experience. If it’s holds you want, though, Watson’s the man.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Soria | Watson.

Texas Rangers — Jake Diekman has been getting high-leverage work since coming over from Philadelphia in the Cole Hamels trade. That trend continued yesterday, with Diekman (not Sam Dyson) pitching the eighth ahead of Shawn Tolleson. Diekman has three holds and has allowed only two runs in 7.2 IP since he joined the contending Rangers.

Updated hierarchy: Tolleson | Diekman | Dyson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street has pitched in two straight (41 pitches). Joe Smith could be in line for the chance Friday.
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — Even though Davis allowed two runs Thursday, Greg Holland may need Friday off after a rough 29-pitch outing.
3. Bruce Rondon, Detroit Tigers — Joe Nathan isn’t walking through that door. Joakim Soria isn’t walking through that door. Hell, Todd Jones isn’t even walking through that door. What the Tigers are left with is Red Sox castoff Alex Wilson (who has pitched quite well this year, to be fair) and fireballer Bruce Rondon, who collected the most recent save. He could get the next shot, too, so stay tuned.
4. Jean Machi, Boston Red Sox — When Koji Uehara was declared out for the year, John Farrell said that Jean Machi would get looks at closer. Instead, Junichi Tazawa got the first crack, and quickly blew the save. Will Taz get the next shot, or will it be Machi’s turn?

McGee records save for Rays

July 19, 2015

Tampa Bay Rays — Jake McGee picked up his 4th save of the season on Saturday and has not allowed a run in his last 18 appearances.  However, it was Brad Boxberger who pitched in the more important spot, as he faced the top of the order in the 8th inning.  Boxberger still appears to be the closer for the Rays but McGee could still see some save opportunities when Boxberger is needed before the 9th inning.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | McGee | Jepsen.

Seattle Mariners – Carson Smith recorded his 7th save of the season yesterday, while Fernando Rodney was used for the last out of 8th inning.  Smith gave up a run in the 9th, but the fact that Rodney was used in the 8th and Smith was able to convert another save opportunity should bode well for him moving forward.

Hierarchy Remains: *Smith | Rodney | Lowe.
* = closer-by-committee.

Kansas City Royals – Ryan Madson earned his first save since 2011 in an extra innings win for the Royals yesterday.  Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and Greg Holland had all pitched earlier in the game, with Holland blowing the save in the 9th.  Madson has been a great comeback story this year with an ERA under 2.00, and could challenge Kelvin Herrera for the 7th inning role if he continues to pitch well.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo entered the game with 2 outs and 2 men on in the 8th inning, with the Giants up by 4.  He retired the only batter he faced and then stayed on to pitch a scoreless 9th for his first save of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has pitched in two straight, including a 26 pitch blown save yesterday.
2. Fernando Rodney, Seattle Mariners – Carson Smith picked up the save yesterday but it took him 30 pitches so Lloyd McClendon could choose to go with Rodney on Sunday.

Fernando Rodney getting another chance for some reason

June 29, 2015

Seattle Mariners – Fernando Rodney put up another scoreless outing on Sunday, which will give Lloyd McClendon more reason to do what he’s said he wants to do anyway — get his former closer back into the 9th inning. Should-be closer Carson Smith, meanwhile, finished off the 8th inning in a tie game. This remains a committee, but we’ll bump Rodney back to the top of the pile while aiming a scowl in McClendon’s general direction.

Updated hierarchy: *Rodney | Smith | Lowe.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland got the day off after pitching twice in a row, so Wade Davis picked up his 9th save of the year. Of course, you read the Vulture Save Watch yesterday, so you already knew this was going to happen, didn’t you?

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Chicago Cubs – Neil Ramirez, who had a stellar rookie campaign (1.44 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 10.9 K/9) returned from the disabled list on Sunday and pitched a scoreless inning with 2 Ks. He could find his way into the hierarchy in a hurry, and could even fight his way into the Chicago closer committee if he returns to his 2014 form.

Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Strop | Motte.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street has pitched in back to back games and blew the save last night. Smith has also gone two straight, but has only thrown 13 total pitches in that span.