Carlos Carrasco, Trevor May save the day

September 21, 2019

Cleveland Indians – With Brad Hand still working back from arm fatigue, Cleveland turned to an unlikely player to close out a three-run game last night. Carlos Carrasco, who earlier this month returned from a leukemia diagnosis, got the last out of the eighth and stuck around for the ninth to earn the save. Carrasco has been pitching out of the bullpen since his return with somewhat mixed results, but with Cleveland in the middle of the playoff hunt, they may try to repeat last night’s performance in higher leverage spots. Hand is available to pitch this series, but manager Terry Francona has said they want to deploy him strategically, not only to avoid injury but also to maximize his value during games. Cleveland is facing must-win games night in and night out, so expect some flux from the Indians bullpen over the last week of the season. 

Hierarchy remains: Hand | Goody | Clippard.

Minnesota Twins — As the Vulture Save Watch noted, Taylor Rogers needed some rest. The same could also be said for the rest of the Twins hierarchy, which left Trevor May to pitch the ninth inning last night for Minnesota. May, who is former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway’s spirit animal, locked in his second save of the year thanks to three strikeouts. May had a spectacular August, but hasn’t worked himself into the regular rotation of late-inning arms. However, with a high strikeout rate and Minnesota likely resting its top arms for the playoffs once it clinches the division, May could see some additional chances over the final few games.

Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | Romo | Duffey.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros — The Astros activated Ryan Pressly from the IL on Friday and he earned a seventh-inning hold in his return. Manager A.J. Hinch said that he has predetermined days and spots in which he wants Pressly to pitch, but he did not disclose those to anyone. Normally Pressly would be the handcuff to Roberto Osuna, but given Hinch’s comments, Will Harris may be the most likely reliever to vulture a save if Osuna needs some rest.  

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Harris | Pressly.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Nick Goody – Brad Hand may not get the ninth inning yet and Goody is fully rested. 
2. Will Harris – Roberto Osuna has pitched in three of four and may get the night off. 
3. Giovanny Gallegos – Carlos Martinez and Andrew Miller have both pitched three in a row while Gallegos was held out last night. 

Sunday:
1. Nick Anderson/Oliver Drake – Today would be back to back and three of four for Emilio Pagan, but Anderson and Drake have similar usage. Whoever is held out today will likely pitch on Sunday. 
2. Hunter Strickland – Daniel Hudson threw 28 pitches last night, so any appearance today would earn him some rest on Sunday. 

Marlins could have a new closer in September

August 25, 2019

Miami Marlins – The Marlins, who haven’t recorded a save since July 24th, could have a new closer in September.  Their opening day starter Jose Urena will likely be used as closer when he returns from the IL.   Urena throws hard and could do well in the closer’s role, but don’t expect many saves out of a team who hasn’t converted one in over a month.

Hierarchy remains: *Garcia | Quijada | Stanek.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Derek Law picked up a five out save last night.  Ken Giles is expected to rejoin the team on Sunday after the birth of his son but his time away has confirmed that Law is certainly the handcuff at this point.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Law | Shafer.

Houston Astros — Roberto Osuna got a much needed day off on Saturday after pitching in five of the previous six days and Will Harris converted the vulture save chance.  Harris should continue to see save chances when Osuna is unavailable.  

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Harris | Rondon.

Cleveland Indians – Brad Hand converted his second straight save chance yesterday with a scoreless ninth inning.  Meanwhile in the minor leagues, perhaps the Indians’ closer of the future, James Karinchak, is striking out batters at a ridiculous rate.  Fantasy owners will want to keep an eye on Karinchak in the future.

Hierarchy remains: Hand | Wittgren | Goody.

Minnesota Twins — Taylor Rogers retired all five batters that he faced, including three strikeouts, to close out a Twins 8-5 victory yesterday.  Rogers has now recorded the last two saves for the Twins after Sergio Romo got the prior two saves.  This will likely continue as a committee through the rest of the season with Rogers getting a few more save chances that Romo. 

Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | Romo | Dyson.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Nick Wittgren – Brad Hand has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Matt Barnes – Brandon Workman has pitched in three of the past four, throwing a total of 61 pitches.

Monday
1. Shane Greene – If Mark Melancon pitches on Sunday, it will be his third appearance in four days.

Sergio Romo dealt as trade deadline nears

July 28, 2019

Miami Marlins — As we mentioned yesterday, Sergio Romo has been traded to the Twins, and Nick Anderson is expected to close.  There is a chance that Anderson gets traded as well, and it’s less clear who is behind him.  One option is Jose Quijada, as he picked up a save earlier this season.  Another sleeper is Jarlin Garcia, who has not allowed an earned run in his last sixteen appearances.  We will slot these two lefties behind Anderson for now.  Tayron Guerrero is a hard-throwing righty who profiles more like a traditional closer, but he has struggled since returning from the IL (4 ER in 4 IP) and his high walk rate (28 BBs in 35 IP) might prevent him from being used in the later innings.

Updated hierarchy: Anderson | Quijada| Garcia.

Minnesota Twins — The Twins bolstered their bullpen yesterday by acquiring Marlins’ closer, Sergio Romo.  Taylor Rogers has been fantastic this year and should continue to see the most save opps.  However, Sergio Romo is a veteran closer and the Twins have not been shy about using Taylor Rogers earlier in games or for multiple innings, which should leave save chances for Sergio Romo as well.  We will put this in a committee for now and see how things play out.

Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | Romo | May.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – Raisel Iglesias struck out a pair in a perfect ninth inning yesterday for his 18th save of the season.  The Reds are willing to listen to offers for Iglesias so he will be a name to watch as the trade deadline approaches this week.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.

Houston Astros — All-Star reliever Ryan Pressly is battling soreness in his right knee and the Astros are considering placing him on the IL.  Roberto Osuna has been a little shaky recently, giving up an earned run in his last three appearances, and five of his last seven.  If Pressly misses time, the Astros may be more aggressive in acquiring bullpen help at the deadline.  

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Pressly | Harris.

Kansas City Royals — Jake Diekman has been traded to the A’s.  Fellow lefty Tim Hill should take Diekman’s place in the later innings for the Royals.

Updated hierarchy: Kennedy | Barlow | Hill.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Shawn Armstrong – Mychal Givens has pitched in two of three, throwing a total of 51 pitches.

Shawn Kelley secures third straight save since returning from injured list

May 25, 2019

Texas Rangers — For the third straight game, it was Shawn Kelley and not Jose Leclerc who got the ninth inning for the Rangers. Chris Martin pitched a clean eighth inning ahead of Kelley. Manager Chris Woodward had recently said that he wanted Leclerc to take over the closer role again, and we still think the Rangers’ long-term plan is to use have Leclerc close, but Kelley’s usage the past four days has been enough to move him up to the top of the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: *Kelley | Martin | Leclerc.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – Pat Neshek will go on the IL today because of a sore shoulder. The Phillies got an impressive effort from their bullpen last night, including lefty Adam Morgan, who pitched the eighth inning ahead of Hector Neris.

Updated hierarchy: *Neris | Dominguez | Morgan.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – As was predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Craig Stammen got the call to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning. He closed out the Blue Jays to earn his second save of the year. Kirby Yates should be available now after two days of rest.

Hierarchy remains: Yates | Stammen | Warren.

Baltimore Orioles — Mychal Givens entered a 6-6 game in the ninth inning and promptly gave up a two-run walk-off bomb. This is Givens’ third straight appearance where he took the loss, ballooning his ERA to 5.64. Givens still has some job security mostly due to how bad the rest of Baltimore’s bullpen is, but three losses in a row is cause for concern. 

Hierarchy remains: Givens | Fry | Armstrong.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Arizona cruised to a large lead last night and turned to Zack Godley to pitch the final three innings. Godley didn’t give up a run to secure his second save of the year. Godley’s only other save came in the 13th inning, and he is more of a long reliever than a high-leverage option.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Bradley | Lopez.

Houston Astros — The scoreless streak is over. Ryan Pressly gave up a leadoff homer to stop his record streak at 40 consecutive appearances. Pressly still earned his 11th hold on the year, while Roberto Osuna closed it out for his 13th save. There isn’t a better 1-2 punch in the majors right now than Pressly and Osuna. 

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Pressly | Rondon.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Shawn Armstrong — The struggling Mychal Givens has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 44 pitches in that time. Meanwhile, Paul Fry has gone in three straight. 
2. Victor Alcantara — Both Shane Greene and Joe Jimenez have pitched in two straight and three of four. 
3. Seranthony Dominguez — Hector Neris has thrown 45 pitches over the past two days. 

Sunday:
1. Sean Newcomb — Luke Jackson was rested last night, but he had pitched in two of three prior to that throwing 62(!!) pitches in that span. 
2. Brandon Kintzler — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Steve Cishek.
3. Nick Wittgren — Although he has kept his pitch count low, today would be three straight for Brad Hand. 
4. Lou Trivino — Blake Treinen threw 27 pitches last night, so a long outing today would make him unavailable on Sunday.

Seranthony Dominguez finishing strong with save

September 30, 2018

Philadelphia Phillies — Seranthony Dominguez pitched a scoreless 9th for his 15th save of the season.  The rookie right-hander had an up and down season but is finishing strong with five straight scoreless appearances and will likely be in the mix for saves in 2019 for the Phillies.

Updated hierarchy: *Dominguez | Neris | Neshek.
* = closer-by-committee


New York Yankees – The Yankees were up five heading into the bottom of the 9th inning, but after Jonathan Holder gave up a two-run homer and allowed another baserunner to reach, the Yankees called on closer Aroldis Chapman.  Chapman struck out two, with a walk sandwiched in between, to record his first save since returning from the DL.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Robertson. 

Houston Astros – The Astros swept their doubleheader with the Orioles yesterday, and they rested closer Roberto Osuna in both games in an effort to get everyone innings before their days off.  Hector Rondon picked up his 15th save of the season in game 1 while Ryan Pressly picked up his 2nd save of the season in game 2.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Rondon | McHugh.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Yoshihisa Hirano picked up the save with a perfect inning on Saturday.  Hirano has had a successful first season in MLB finishing with an ERA under 2.5, over 30 holds and 3 saves down the stretch.

Hierarchy remains: *Hirano | Ziegler | Bradley.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners – Edwin Diaz continued his incredible season on Saturday.  He recorded his 57th save of the season, which ties him for second most in MLB history.  He also has 124 strikeouts versus only 17 walks and an ERA under 2.00.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Colome | Vincent.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dellin Betances – Aroldis Chapman picked up a save yesterday and the Yankees may choose to rest him on Sunday.
2. Jose Alvarado – Sergio Romo has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Trevor Bauer – Bauer will pitch out of the bullpen on Sunday and could potentially pick up a 3 inning save.