September 13, 2020

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies summoned their closer, Brandon Workman, in the 7th inning last night and you don’t need a monkey to tell you that’s not normally when a closer is used. Manager Joe Girardi said he might switch things up in the late innings and he held true to his word yesterday. Fantasy owners will hope this was just a temporary thing, but it will be worth monitoring to see if this turns into a committee.

Hierarchy remains: Workman | Neris | Phelps.

Toronto Blue Jays — Rafael Dolis picked up his fourth save of the season yesterday and has recorded the last three saves for the Blue Jays. Dolis has also made 12 straight scoreless appearances. We will move him to the head of this committee for now but we will also keep an eye on how the Blue Jays use Giles over the next couple weeks.

Updated hierarchy: *Dolis | Bass | Giles.

* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — The Royals again went with Greg Holland in a save situation yesterday and he pitched a scoreless 9th for his fifth save of the season. Holland has recorded the last three Royals’ saves and also has not allowed an earned run in his last ten appearances. Those two stats are enough for us to remove his asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Barlow | Hahn.

Chicago Cubs – Jeremy Jeffress and Rowan Wick got the day off yesterday as predicted by the vulture save watch and Craig Kimbrel was able to convert the save chance after the Cubs took the lead in the top of the 9th. This was Kimbrel’s first save of the season and he hasn’t allowed a run yet in September.

Hierarchy remains: Jeffress | Wick | Kimbrel.



Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers activated Pedro Baez before yesterday’s game and immediately used him in the 7th inning of a tight game. Baez threw a scoreless inning and should continue to work in a set-up role ahead of closer Kenley Jansen.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Treinen | Baez.

Tampa Bay Rays — Diego Castillo pitched a scoreless 9th to pick up his fourth save of the season yesterday. Nick Anderson, who also has four saves, pitched a scoreless 8th inning and still has yet to allow a run this season. This will likely continue to be a committee because that’s what the Rays do. Do you know what else the Rays do? They start nine left-handed hitters for the first time in modern MLB history. Keep doing what you do.

Hierarchy remains: *Anderson | Castillo | Fairbanks.

* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies – Wade Davis has been activated from the injured list. Daniel Bard has been solid as the closer, converting all six of his chances, and Davis will not take his job at this point. However, the Rockies bullpen as a whole has struggled this year so Davis could see some late-inning action pretty quickly if he can pitch well.

Updated hierarchy: Bard | Givens | Davis.

Los Angeles Angels — Matt Andriese recorded an extra-innings save for the Angels yesterday. The entire Angels’ hierarchy had pitched earlier in the game and Ty Buttrey recorded the win with a scoreless 10th inning. Andriese does not factor into the Angels’ normal late-inning bullpen plans.

Hierarchy remains: *Buttrey | Pena | Mayers.

* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH

Today

1. Will Smith/Chris Martin – Mark Melancon and Shane Greene have both pitched in three in a row. Will Smith has gone in two in a row and the Braves might be cautious with him since he missed the start of the season with an injury

2. Mychal Givens – Daniel Bard has pitched in two straight, throwing a total of 36 pitches.

3. Jesse Hahn – Greg Holland has appeared in two straight and four of five. Scott Barlow has also appeared in two straight, throwing a total of 46 pitches. Hahn has appeared in two straight also but only threw 5 pitches yesterday.

4. Felix Pena – Ty Buttrey has pitched in three games in a row.

5. Devin Williams/Alex Claudio – Josh Hader has pitched in two straight, including a 26 pitch blown save yesterday. Devin Williams has also pitched in two straight but has thrown fewer pitches so he might be available.

Monday

1. Blake Treinen – Kenley Jansen threw 21 pitches yesterday (while recorded zero outs) and if he pitches again on Sunday, he will likely get Monday off.

2. Sergio Romo – If Taylor Rogers pitches on Sunday, it will be three straight.

3. Hector Neris – If Brandon Workman pitches on Sunday, it would be two straight and three of four.