Josh Hader dominates in first career save, Middleton keeps racking up saves

April 15, 2018

Milwaukee Brewers — Josh Hader dominated the Mets on Saturday to pick up his first career save.  Hader pitched two perfect innings with five strikeouts in closing out the Brewers’ win.  Although Craig Counsell has said that he doesn’t want to make Hader the closer, it’s going to be hard for Counsell to not use Hader as much as possible in save chances with Knebel out.  Hader has a ridiculous 22 strikeouts in 9.2 innings so far this season.  We will move Hader to the top of the committee based on his save yesterday, but Matt Albers will likely still see his share of save chances in situations where Hader is needed before the ninth or is unavailable due to multiple-inning outings.

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

Los Angeles Angels — Another Angels’ save opportunity, and another Keynan Middleton save.  Middleton is now 4 for 4 in save chances this year, and that’s enough for us to drop the committee asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: Middleton | Bedrosian | Parker.

Texas Rangers — Alex Claudio picked up his first save of the season on Saturday.  Claudio came on with two outs and two men on to face lefty Josh Reddick, and got him to ground out to end the game.  Keone Kela recorded the win by pitching a scoreless bottom of the ninth in a tie game.  Before the season, the Rangers said that Kevin Jepsen would likely close when Kela was unavailable.  However, Jepsen was not used at all on Saturday, and instead, it was Chris Martin who started the tenth in the save opportunity.  Martin has four holds on the season, including both eighth-inning holds ahead of Kela saves, and it looks like Martin has moved ahead of Jepsen.  Either way, saves could be few and far between for the Rangers, as their lead in the 10th inning on Saturday was the first time they held a lead in 54 innings.

Updated hierarchy: Kela | Martin | Claudio. 

Houston Astros — Manager AJ Hinch thinks Ken Giles will end up with the most saves at the end of the season, but he likes all his options to close games.  One of those options, Brad Peacock, gave up 3 runs in the eighth on Saturday to blow the Astros lead.  Giles pitched a scoreless ninth in a tie game.  At this point, it certainly looks like a committee in Houston, but Giles should still see the majority of save chances and has a chance to kick the committee if he can pitch like he did during the regular season last year.

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

Boston Red Sox — Marcus Walden recorded a three-inning save in the Red Sox 10-3 victory yesterday.  If you had Walden in your fantasy lineup, be the first person to send us a screenshot (and possibly an explanation why) and you will win free Closer Monkey Premium for a year.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Kelly | Barnes.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Nick Vincent – Edwin Diaz and Juan Nicasio have both gone in two straight and Diaz has gone in four of the past five games.
2. Cam Bedrosian – Keynan Middleton has appeared in back-to-back games and three of four.
3. CJ Edwards – Brandon Morrow has pitched in two straight and the Cubs will likely be cautious with him early in the season.
4. Bud Norris – Greg Holland pitched yesterday and the Cardinals have said they don’t want to use him in back-to-back games yet.
5. Matt Albers – Josh Hader pitched two innings yesterday.
6. Craig Stammen – Brad Hand has pitched in two straight, including a 4 out save yesterday.

Monday
1. George Kontos – If Felipe Vazquez pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four.
2. Chris Martin/Alex Claudio – If Keone Kela pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and the Rangers will probably not use Kela in three straight this early in the season given his history.

Keynan Middleton grabs his second save for the Angels

April 12, 2018

Los Angeles Angels — Another save for Keynan Middleton, this one of the five-out variety. Middleton entered up four and got two more runs in the top of the ninth, but still managed to make things exciting with a walk, two singles, and a hit batsman. After 37 pitches, we don’t expect him to get a save chance tomorrow, but he’s consolidating his position at the top of the Angels committee.

Hierarchy remains: *Middleton | Bedrosian | Parker.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers — After Dan Jennings retired five batters to get the Brewers into the seventh, Craig Counsell called on Josh Hader to pitch a clean eighth, then start the ninth. Hader gave up a leadoff home run and collected his third strikeout before getting pulled in favor of Matt Albers. Albers didn’t make things easy, giving up two straight singles, but a pop-up and a strikeout followed to earn him his first save of the season. Right now, this looks like a legitimate committee; we wouldn’t bet on anyone in particular winning the job outright. Especially Kato Kaelin’s nemesis, J.J. Hoover, who was designated for assignment Wednesday.

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

Chicago White Sox — Nate Jones grabbed a save Wednesday, confirming our suspicions that this situation is still fluid. Jones had a great spring, but his truly impressive injury history — which includes Tommy John surgery, an outpatient operation on his back, and surgery to reposition the nerves in his throwing elbow — makes him a risky bet.

Hierarchy remains: *Soria | Jones | Farquhar.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox — Yodeling aficionado turned cold-blooded enforcer Joe Kelly seems likely to face a suspension. Kelly drilled Tyler Austin in the ribs last night in retaliation for a questionable slide, sparking a benches-clearing scuffle that ended with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton guiding Kelly to the Red Sox dugout like Secret Service agents.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Kelly | Barnes.

San Francisco Giants — Bruce Bochy seems to still trust Sam Dyson, bringing him in for a tight spot in a tied game in the sixth. He gave up a go-ahead double, then came back out for the seventh and got tagged for two more, winding up with three earned runs. Cory Gearrin is pitching better than Dyson right now, but we can’t move Dyson out of the hierarchy until Bochy shows he’s noticed.

Hierarchy remains: Strickland | Watson | Dyson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Bud Norris — The Cards may not wish to use Greg Holland back-to-back yet.

Friday:
1. Ryan Madson — If Sean Doolittle pitches on Thursday, he’ll have gone in four of five.
2. Addison Reed — Fernando Rodney has gone in two straight.
3. Jared Hughes — Raisel Iglesias pitched two innings on Wednesday. Hughes has gone in three straight and most everyone else in the bullpen pitched on Wednesday too, so Iglesias might go again on Thursday — but if he does, he’d get Friday off.

Alex Colome’s shaky stretch continues

April 11, 2018

Tampa Bay Rays – Alex Colome hasn’t quite been the same closer that recorded 47 saves a year ago. On Tuesday, he allowed a pair of inherited runners to score courtesy of a three-run homer before walking the potential tying run. Colome got out of the jam to earn his second straight shaky save, but there is cause for concern, especially when he is just a few days removed from his second blown save of the season. Colome doesn’t seem too worried about it, while manager Kevin Cash doesn’t think it’s a mechanical thing. Sergio Romo will likely get Wednesday’s save chance, as Colome has pitched each of the last three days, and Romo may be worth a stash in case Colome can’t snap out of his funk.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Romo | Alvarado.

Milwaukee Brewers – Both Matt Albers and Josh Hader had thrown 30 pitches on Monday, making them unavailable for what turned out to be a disastrous night for the Milwaukee bullpen. Jacob Barnes got another ninth-inning save chance, but two wild pitches tied the game. After the Brewers regained the lead, it was JJ Hoover’s turn to blow a save in the 10th and then give up a walk-off homer in the 11th, much to the dismay of fans and houseguests everywhere. The Brewers bullpen continues to be a mess since Corey Knebel hit the DL, but with Albers and Hader likely available again on Wednesday, perhaps that duo can right the ship.

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

Washington Nationals – When Sammy Solis got into trouble protecting a 4-0 lead in the ninth inning, Dave Martinez called on Ryan Madson to close the game. Madson did allow an inherited runner to score thanks to a double, but struck out the other two batters he faced to pick up his first save of the year. Sean Doolittle is still the closer, but it’s clear than Madson is the handcuff in Washington.

Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Madson | Kintzler.

Minnesota Twins — Zach Duke pitched the eighth inning of the Twins’ 4-1 win on Tuesday, as Addison Reed was under the weather. Duke pitched well against the Astros’ best hitters, and the lefty’s usage on Tuesday suggests he’s third in line for saves in Minnesota. Don’t sleep on Ryan Pressly either, as he pitched the seventh on Tuesday and has six strikeouts in 5.1 scoreless innings this season.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Reed | Duke.

Miami Marlins – Kyle Barraclough allowed his first two earned runs of the season on Tuesday as the Mets rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning. Brad Ziegler and his 7.94 ERA wasn’t much better on Tuesday, as he gave up two more runs in the ninth. The arm to keep an eye on in Miami is Drew Steckenrider, who owns a 0.00 ERA and has struck out seven against just one walk in 5.2 IP. Hard to ignore his strong start, especially given Ziegler’s struggles.

Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Barraclough | Steckenrider.

San Francisco Giants – Bad news for Mark Melancon owners, as he hasn’t even started throwing yet. Hunter Strickland gave up his first earned run of the season last night and has otherwise been solid as the team’s closer.

Hierarchy remains: Strickland | Watson | Dyson.

Pittsburgh Pirates – There’s a new name in the Pirates’ late-inning mix, as Felipe Rivero changed his name to Felipe Vazquez. The name change has not affected his pitching, as Vazquez earned his fourth save of the season on Tuesday.

Hierarchy remains: Vazquez | Kontos | Feliz. 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Sergio Romo – Alex Colome has gone in three straight games.
2. AJ Ramos – Jeurys Familia has pitched in back-to-back games and three of four.

Tomorrow
1. George Kontos – Felipe Vazquez threw 24 pitches on Tuesday. He may get Thursday off if he has a busy Wednesday.
2. Craig Stammen – If Brad Hand goes tonight, that will be three straight.
3. Tony Watson – If Hunter Strickland pitches tonight, that will be two straight and four of the last five.

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.

 

Jacob Barnes get first save chance since Knebel injury…and promptly blows it.

April 8, 2018

Milwaukee Brewers — The Brewers had their first save chance since Corey Knebel hit the DL, and Jacob Barnes got the call.  Unfortunately for Brewers’ fans (and fantasy owners who just picked him up), Barnes was unable to convert the save.  He was charged with 4 runs, although only two were earned.  Barnes gave up a couple infield singles and was hurt by an error, so it wasn’t quite as bad as the final line made it look.  Matt Albers and Josh Hader were unavailable, and this will likely continue to be a committee based on matchups and availability.

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

St. Louis Cardinals – Bud Norris struck out the side yesterday to record the first save of the season for the Cardinals.  Greg Holland will close as soon as he gets to St. Louis, but Norris was brought in this off-season to help the bullpen and could see a few more save chances before Holland gets called up.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Norris | Hicks.

New York Yankees — David Robertson, not to be confused with INF/P Daniel Robertson, came on in a tight spot in the seventh inning yesterday.  He struck out both batters he faced to protect the Yankees two-run lead.  He also came back out for the eighth and retired the side in order with two more strikeouts.  Robertson had one bad outing this season, but the Yankees still seem to trust him more than Dellin Betances right now.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Robertson | Betances.

Chicago Cubs – It took nine games, but Brandon Morrow finally recorded his first out as a Cub (and also made his first appearance prior to the 17th inning).  Morrow struck out a pair en route to his first save of the season.  There was some concern from Cubs’ fans after Morrow had only thrown two pitches this season, but he looked great on Saturday, hitting 97 mph with his fastball.

Hierarchy remains: Morrow | Cishek | Edwards.

Chicago White Sox – Juan Minaya walked all four batters he faced on Saturday and got sent down after the game.  Veteran Danny Farquhar should take over the seventh inning duties ahead of Nate Jones and Joakim Soria.

Updated hierarchy: *Soria | Jones | Farquhar.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – Kirby Yates left the game after just one pitch last night.  Yates is hoping to avoid a trip to the disabled list, but if he does miss an extended period of time, Kazuhisa Makita could see more time in the later innings.

Hierarchy remains: Hand | Yates | Stammen.

Los Angeles Angels — Blake Parker pitched yesterday with the Angels losing and gave up two runs.  It’s still very early, but Parker’s ERA is over 7.00 and Mike Scioscia is not shy about trying different guys in the ninth inning.  We would not be surprised if Keynan Middleton got the next save chance, but we also wouldn’t be surprised if he still gave Parker a shot (and because it’s Scioscia, I guess we shouldn’t be surprised by whatever happens).  Jim Johnson is another guy who could get a shot as he has pitched well to start the season, while Cam Bedrosian has probably worked himself out of the conversation with an ERA north of 7.00 to start the season.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Albers – Jacob Barnes threw 24 pitches in the blown save yesterday so Albers could get the call today.
2. Liam Hendriks – Blake Treinen has pitched in two in a row, including 2 innings yesterday, and thrown a total of 40 pitches.

Monday
1. Chris Devenski – It will be three in a row for Ken Giles if he pitches Sunday
2. AJ Ramos – Jeurys Familia pitched 1.2 innings Saturday so he is needed again on Sunday, he will likely be rested on Monday.
3. Darren O’Day – Brad Brach got Saturday off, but if he pitches Sunday, that will make four of the past five.
4. Jake McGee – If Wade Davis pitches Sunday, that will be two in a row, and four of five.
5. AJ Minter – Arodys Vizcaino threw 23 pitches yesterday and if pitches again on Sunday, he will likely get Monday off.