Glover dealing with back discomfort, Rivero records save

June 11, 2017

Washington Nationals – Koda Glover blew the save last night, but the bigger concern is his back.  Glover tweaked his back yesterday before the game, but tried to pitch through the injury.  It is unclear if Glover will miss time, but if he does, it could be Matt Albers taking over.  Albers threw two scoreless innings yesterday with four strikeouts.  Shawn Kelley on the other hand, gave up three more runs last night and saw his ERA jump over 7.00 for the season.  We will continue to monitor Glover’s status.

Updated hierarchy: Glover | Albers | Kelley.

Pittsburgh Pirates — The first save opportunity since Tony Watson lost his job went to Felipe Rivero.  He struck out three batters in 1.1 innings on his way to his first save with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Rivero’s stuff is nasty (just ask Dee Gordon), and the only thing keeping him from being the full time closer is the possibility that the Pirates decide to use him like the Indians use Andrew Miller.  We will slide Rivero to the top of the committee for now, and if he reels of  a couple more saves in a row, the job will likely be his for the rest of the season.

Updated hierarchy : *Rivero | Nicasio | Hudson.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle returned last night with a perfect eighth inning ahead of closer Santiago Casilla.  Prior to Doolittle’s injury in April, the A’s were employing a semi-committee approach with Doolittle and Casilla getting saves.  Casilla was fine in the closer’s role by himself while Doolittle was out, but he certainly didn’t run away with the job.  Doolittle could work his way back to some chances if he continues to pitch like he did last night.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Doolittle | Madson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Albers/Shawn Kelley – If Koda Glover can’t go today because of his back, Matt Albers could get the call.  However, Albers threw 29 pitches in a two inning outing yesterday so if he also gets the day off, they could go to Shawn Kelley.

Monday
1. Tommy Kahnle – David Robertson threw 29 pitches in two innings yesterday so if he pitches again on Sunday, he could get Monday off.
2. Taylor Rogers –  If Brandon Kintzler pitches on Sunday, that will be two straight and four of the previous five games.

 

Koji Uehara vultures a save; Koda Glover gets bombed

June 5, 2017

Chicago Cubs – After pitching Friday and Saturday, Wade Davis got the night off on Sunday. What was a bit surprising was that CJ Edwards stayed in his usual 8th inning slot, while Koji Uehara stepped in to fill the 9th. Uehara, of course, has the edge in terms of experience, but it’s unclear if this is a situation where Uehara would jump Edwards to fill the role long-term, should anything happen to Davis. We will monitor their usage going forward, but you could make an argument for either player as the handcuff right now.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Edwards | Uehara.

Washington Nationals – Koda Glover came on to get the last out of the 8th, but he melted down in the 9th, allowing the first five hitters to reach base (4 singles and a walk). Shawn Kelley came on and gave up a grand slam, scoring all the inherited runners, but then settled down and got the last two outs to pick up his fourth save. Glover has been great, and had a decent excuse for last night in that the Nationals had a very long turn at bat in the top of the 9th, so he probably got a bit cold. His job should be safe for now.

Hierarchy remains: Glover | Kelley | Albers.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jacob Barnes – Corey Knebel threw 25 pitches yesterday, and has pitched in four of the last six.

Tomorrow
1. Carlos Torres/Neftali Feliz – If Corey Knebel and Jacob Barnes both go tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five with pretty heavy workloads; it’s possible neither will be available tomorrow.
2. Pat Neshek/Jeanmar Gomez – If Hector Neris and Pat Neshek go tonight, it’ll be three straight. Monitor who pitches to see who would get Tuesday’s chance.

Felipe Rivero breathing down Tony Watson’s neck

May 30, 2017

New York Mets – Up by 2 runs in the 8th, the Mets summoned Paul Sewald to bridge the gap to Addison Reed, and Sewald responded with a perfect inning that included two strikeouts. Terry Collins had Jerry Blevins and Fernando Salas warming in case Sewald (20.1 IP, 24 Ks/4 BBs, 2.21 ERA) got into trouble, but the young righty may have seized the 8th inning with the strong outing.

Updated hierarchy: Reed | Sewald | Blevins.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Watson blew his third save of the year on Monday, earning the win when Andrew McCutchen hit a walkoff homer in the bottom half of the inning. Watson’s ERA is now 4.03, and he should be looking over his shoulder at Felipe Rivero, Pittsburgh’s prize acquisition in the Mark Melancon deal last year. Rivero, who earned his 12th hold of the season on Monday with a scoreless 8th inning, throws 100 mph and has an ERA of 0.68. That groan you heard just now was from the fans in Washington.

Hierarchy remains: Watson | Rivero | Nicasio.

San Diego Padres – After two straight saves for Brad Hand last week, Brandon Maurer has gotten two straight chances for the Padres this week, converting them both. We’ll leave Hand at the top of the committee for now, as he actually had the tougher assignment on Monday, entering with the bases loaded and one out in the 7th. He induced a double play ball, then stayed on for a clean 8th.

Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Maurer | Buchter.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Danny Farquhar – Alex Colome has gone in back to back and three of four (4.1 total IP).
2. Tommy Kahnle/Anthony Swarzak – David Robertson has pitched in three straight. Tommy Kahnle can probably go, but he’s also had a heavy workload, having pitched yesterday and in five of the last seven.
3. Kyle Barraclough – AJ Ramos has gone back to back and three of four.

Tomorrow
1. Kyle Barraclough – If AJ Ramos is able to go tonight, he’ll surely have tomorrow off.
2. Nick Vincent – If Edwin Diaz goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
3. Ryan Buchter – If Brad Hand and Brandon Maurer go tonight, it’ll be three straight for both of them.
4. Shawn Kelley – If Koda Glover goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
5. Paul Sewald/Jerry Blevins – If Addison Reed goes tonight, it’ll be back to back, three of four, and five of seven.
6. Felipe Rivero – If Tony Watson goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
7. Alex Wilson – If Justin Wilson goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.

Koda Glover cementing himself at the top of the Nationals’ committee

May 22, 2017

Texas Rangers – Matt Bush’s 33-pitch outing on Friday — his third appearance in four days at the time — was apparently tiring enough that the Rangers wanted to give him a second day off on Sunday. So Keone Kela picked up the save, firing a perfect 9th inning with two strikeouts. Kela’s appearance followed another encouraging outing from former closer Sam Dyson, who struck out three in 1.2 clean innings.

Hierarchy remains: Bush | Kela | Dyson.

Washington Nationals – Koda Glover entered Sunday’s game with two outs in the 8th and the tying run on second base, striking out Nick Markakis to maintain the Nationals’ slim lead. He then stayed on for the 9th, wrapping up the 3-2 victory and taking a step towards kicking his asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: *Glover | Kelley | Albers.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Felipe Rivero – Tony Watson has gone three straight.

Tomorrow
1. Tyler Clippard – Dellin Betances went 1.1 innings yesterday, so if he goes today, he’ll probably need Tuesday off.
2. Joakim Soria – If Kelvin Herrera goes today, it’ll be back to back and four of five.

Steve Cishek struggles after Edwin Diaz is demoted

May 17, 2017

Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz was demoted from the closer role Tuesday, replaced by a committee that will include Nick Vincent, Tony Zych, newly returned Steve Cishek, and Mark Rzepczynski. Two of those guys – Vincent and Zych – were unavailable for Tuesday night’s game, having pitched both three straight. That left former closer Steve Cishek, fresh off the DL, to try and close out the 9th. Cishek was not good, allowing a single and a two-run homer to blow a 5-4 lead. Cishek was one of just two righties available to pitch last night as part of a depleted bullpen and may eventually get a chance at the 9th again, but expect one of the other committee members to get the next save chance depending on matchups.

Updated hierarchy: *Vincent | Zych | Cishek.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals – Koda Glover got the 9th inning on Tuesday with a four-run lead, though he was warming in the 8th with the Nats ahead by two. Glover got two quick outs before laboring a bit, but he eventually closed out the win after 29 pitches. When asked after the game if Glover was the closer, Dusty Baker said, “We’ll see.” We’ll move Glover to the top of the committee given tonight’s events, though don’t be surprised if Kelley gets a look on Wednesday thanks to Glover’s lengthy outing.

Updated hierarchy: *Glover | Kelley | Albers. 
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles — Brad Brach’s struggles continued on Tuesday as he gave up a grand slam in the 7th inning to blow a 7-4 lead. It was the biggest moment of the game at the time, so Brach’s usage there makes sense, but what does Buck Showalter do now with a closer that saw his ERA move to 4.05 after allowing an earned run in a third straight appearance? Showalter was mum on the situation after Tuesday’s 13-inning win, but don’t be shocked if Darren O’Day gets a turn as closer soon with Brach faltering.

Hierarchy remains: Brach | O’Day | Givens.

San Francisco Giants — Derek Law cruised to another save and he looks like a lock to be the closer until Mark Melancon returns from the DL. The good news for the Giants is that Bruce Bochy announced Tuesday that Melancon will be activated on Friday.

Hierarchy remains: Law | Strickland | Osich.

Oakland A’s — Oakland’s bullpen struggles continued on Tuesday, but some good news came before the game as Bob Melvin said that John Axford, who began the season on the DL, could be back by Sunday’s series finale with the Red Sox. Sean Doolittle, meanwhile, is still about a month away from returning.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Madson | Dull.

Tampa Bay Rays — Jose Alvarado pitched two 1-2-3 innings over the 7th and 8th frames, including a clean trip through the heart of Cleveland’s order, to help maintain a 6-4 lead on Tuesday. It was his second straight hold, and Kevin Cash praised the 21-year-old lefty after the game. Alvarado has not allowed a run since a rough debut on May 3, allowing just two hits and zero walks over his last 6.2 innings. He does only have two strikeouts during that span, but he will be worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses and his confidence grows.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Farquhar | Ramirez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Anthony Swarzak – After two days off, David Robertson threw 32 pitches over two innings yesterday, blowing a save in the 11th after pitching a clean 10th. Bad teammate Tommy Kahnle has pitched in two straight and three of four, so Swarzak, who had last night off, may get Wednesday’s save chance.

Tomorrow
1. Tommy Kahnle/Anthony Swarzak – If Robertson does pitch today, it will be doubtful that he pitches Thursday.
2. Ryan Madson/Ryan Dull – Both Madson and Santiago Casilla threw 20 pitches on Tuesday. If Casilla has another lengthy outing and Madson doesn’t, then Madson may get the 9th on Thursday.
3. Hector Rondon –  Wade Davis hasn’t pitched in awhile, but he did throw 21 pitches on Tuesday and the Cubs may avoid going to him on Thursday if he has another long outing Wednesday.