Blake Parker struggles; Jordan Hicks is awesome

April 2, 2018

Toronto Blue Jays – Seung Hwan Oh picked up his first save of the season on Sunday, pitching a clean 9th inning after Tyler Clippard handled the 8th. Roberto Osuna pitched on Friday and Saturday, so he was given the night off, as was Ryan Tepera, who we currently have at the 1st in line spot. Given his past experience, though — as well as his good start to the season so far — Oh might be the guy to get save chances even when Tepera is available. We’ll monitor those two going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Tepera | Oh.

Boston Red Sox – Two straight appearances for Craig Kimbrel on Friday and Saturday meant a day off Sunday, which allowed Joe Kelly to pick up his first save of the season. Kelly is the best handcuff to own at the moment; Matt Barnes and Carson Smith also figure to be in the mix on nights when Kimbrel isn’t available.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Kelly | Barnes.

St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals hierarchy is suddenly a very crowded place. We’ve opted to keep Greg Holland in the closer spot even though he won’t be up for another week or two, and we’d also like to keep Leone and Lyons on our chart, as they’re still the duo likely to get save chances in his absence. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the head-turning stuff possessed by Jordan Hicks. Last night, Hicks and his 102-mph fastball handled the 8th inning with the Cardinals up four runs; look for him to get more chances for holds as he continues to prove himself.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Leone | Lyons.

Los Angeles Angels – Keynan Middleton remains behind Blake Parker and Cam Bedrosian — and possibly Jim Johnson, too — in the Angels hierarchy, but last night, he still managed to get his first save of the season. Bedrosian had already pitched earlier in the night, while Johnson had thrown 29 pitches the night before, so when Parker got into trouble in the 9th inning, it was Middleton who was summoned to bail him out. The quick hook on Parker suggests that he’s still got a ways to go to earn Mike Scioscia’s trust this season, and this bullpen continues to be worth a discerning eye as April progresses.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. George Kontos – Felipe Rivero pitched both games of yesterday’s doubleheader and likely can’t go today.

Tomorrow
1. Ryan Madson – If Doolittle goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. Alex Wilson – If Greene goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
3. Darren O’Day – If Brach goes tonight, it’ll be two straight.
4. Jared Hughes – If Iglesias goes tonight, it’ll be two straight.
5. Chris Devenski – If Giles goes tonight, it’ll be two straight.

Jeurys Familia returns, Alex Wilson only pitcher suspended

August 26, 2017

New York Mets — The Mets got Jeurys Familia back on Friday, and although Terry Collins mentioned that he wanted to get Familia in the game on Friday, he ended up using Blevins for the last out in the eighth and then A.J. Ramos for the save.  Ramos gave up a run on two hits and two walks last night, and while he will continue to close for now, Familia could work his way back into the closer’s role once he gets comfortable.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Blevins | Familia.

Detroit Tigers – Of all the pitchers involved in Thrusday’s melee, Alex Wilson took the hardest fall, picking up a 4 game suspension after admitting that he intentionally threw at Todd Frazier.  Wilson threw a scoreless inning last night, and will appeal the suspension.  Expect Joe Jimenez to get some higher leverage looks, and Daniel Stumpf may vulture a couple holds, while Wilson is out.

Hierarchy remains: Greene | Wilson | Jimenez.

Atlanta Braves – Sam Freemen picked up the last two outs of the 8th inning ahead of Arodys Vizcaino. Freeman has found himself in high leverage spots throughout August and has responded by not giving up a single run. He’s a lefty but has mostly seen full innings as of late, while Jim Johnson has had a rough stretch, giving up 11 runs over his last 4 appearances.

Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Ramirez | Freeman.

Houston Astros – Joe Musgrove pitched the 8th inning ahead of Ken Giles last night to pick up his 3rd hold of the year. Musgrove had a miserable run as a starting pitcher before being moved to the bullpen in mid-July. He has responded by only giving up 1 run in his 12 relief appearances, and hasn’t giving up a single run in August. While this isn’t enough to crack the hierarchy just yet, Musgrove appears to be on the rise in Houston and should continue to see hold opportunities.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Devenski | Clippard.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
Today
1. David Hernandez – Fernando Rodney has pitched in two straight and four of the past five.  Archie Bradley has also pitched in two straight, including a 2 inning, 36 pitch outing on Thursday.
2. Michael Lorenzen – Raisel Iglesias has pitched in three straight.
3. Drew Steckenrider – Brad Ziegler and Kyle Barraclough have both pitched in two straight and three of the past four.
4. Tommy Hunter – Alex Colome has pitched back to back and three of four as well.

Sunday
1. Aaron Bummer/Gregory Infante – If Juan Minaya pitches on Saturday, that will be three in a row.  The White Sox could play matchups and use either the lefty Bummer or righty Infante if there is a save opportunity on Sunday.
2. Chris Devenski – Ken Giles has pitched in two straight.
3. David Robertson –  Dellin Betances managed to avoid a suspension, and pitched a scoreless 9th inning last night to preserve a tie, but has now gone back to back and could get Sunday off.
4. Nick Vincent/David Phelps – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for any of the Seattle Hierarchy. Expect anyone that pitches today to get a rest on Sunday

Betances records save after Chapman is demoted

August 20, 2017

New York Yankees — Dellin Betances struck out two batters in a scoreless inning yesterday against the Red Sox for his ninth save of the season.  Betances has been dominant against the Red Sox this season and should continue to see save chances while former closer Aroldis Chapman figures things out.  David Robertson will also be in the mix for saves, and Joe Girardi thinks Chapman could reclaim the role.

Updated hierarchy: *Betances | Robertson | Chapman.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Ken Giles got the night off after a five out save on Friday night and the Astros went with newly acquired Tyler Clippard in the ninth inning.  Clippard converted the save chance, and now has recorded saves for three different teams this season.  After a really rough stretch at the end of June and beginning of July, Clippard has settled in and not allowed any earned runs in August.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Devenski | Clippard.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Justin Wilson – Wade Davis has gone in two straight, and three of four.
2. Pat Neshek – Greg Holland has pitched in two straight, throwing a total of 43 pitches.
3. Tony Watson – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight and has yet to pitch in three straight this season.

Monday
1. Aaron Bummer – If Juan Minaya pitches Sunday, it will be two of three and four of six.  Also the White Sox have a doubleheader on Monday.

 

Tyler Clippard traded to Astros

August 13, 2017

Chicago White Sox — The White Sox traded Tyler Clippard to the Astros late Sunday night, further depleting an already barren bullpen. It will be a fluid situation that we’ll continue to monitor, but for now we like Juan Minaya to head a committee that also includes Jake Petricka and Aaron Bummer.

Updated hierarchy: *Minaya | Petricka | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee

Shane Greene closing after Justin Wilson trade; Jim Johnson moved to committee

July 31, 2017

Atlanta Braves – Jim Johnson has lost his position at the top of the Atlanta bullpen, and will now share duties with a handful of other relievers. Arodys Vizcaino is the best reliever to own right now, as he would’ve gotten the save chance last night, had the Braves taken the lead. (Johnson was used in a tie game in the 8th.) Rex Brothers, who closed for a spell in Colorado earlier in his career, could also get a look when matchups are right.

Updated hierarchy: *Vizcaino | Johnson | Brothers.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – Taylor Rogers had another bad outing yesterday, and has now allowed runs in five straight appearances. This is huge fantasy news, as the lefty had seemed like a lock to take over in the event of a Brandon Kintzler trade. But now, our money is on veteran Matt Belisle, who has been one of the only consisent arms in the Twins bullpen as of late. Check out our Trade Deadline Preview for relievers like Belisle who are worth adding before 4 p.m. today.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Belisle | Rogers.

St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal bagged his sixth save of the season last night, and has been an absolute hoss lately. In his last 11.2 innings: 4 hits, 1 BB, 1 ER, 19 Ks. Between those numbers, and the fact that he’s gotten the last two save chances, we’ll kick his asterisk. Welcome back to the 9th, Trevor.

Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Oh | Cecil.

Chicago White Sox – Jake Petricka and Tyler Clippard had solid outings yesterday in a tie game, which is probably enough to cement them as the top two relievers in the White Sox bullpen right now. We’ll move Petricka up to right behind Clippard in the committee; keep an eye on Greg Infante and Juan Minaya to also pitch in.

Updated hierarchy: *Clippard | Petricka | Minaya.
* = closer-by-committee

Detroit Tigers – The Tigers shipped Justin Wilson to the Cubs on Sunday night, pending a medical review. Shane Greene should be the first choice for saves now in Detroit, with Bruce Rondon and Alex Wilson behind him.

Updated hierarchy: Greene | Rondon | A. Wilson.

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs bolstered their bullpen Sunday night when they acquired Justin Wilson from the Tigers, pending a medical review. Wilson should become the primary setup man, with Koji Uehara and C.J. Edwards still in the mix for holds.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Wilson | Uehara.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Luis Garcia – Hector Neris has pitched three innings over the last two days. Garcia has also gone back to back but is better rested.
2. Brad Brach – Zach Britton has pitched in two straight; we’re not sure if he’s going three in a row yet.

Tomorrow
1. Juan Minaya/Greg Infante – If Tyler Clippard and/or Jake Petricka go today, it’ll be three straight.
2. Brad Brach – See above. If Britton does pitch again tonight, he’ll be off tomorrow.