July 26, 2019
New York Mets — Edwin Diaz’s rough season continued Thursday when he was struck in the left foot by a line drive off the bat of Manny Machado. X-rays after the game were negative, but for now consider Diaz day to day. If he has to miss any time, we expect Seth Lugo to fill in.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Familia.
Baltimore Orioles — For the first time since the invention of the save, a position player has earned one, making a mockery of highly-paid closers and, frankly, rendering this entire website obsolete. Center fielder Stevie Wilkerson and his 55 MPH cheese retired Albert Pujols in the sixteenth inning to do the honors. With an ERA (2.25) more impressive than his batting average (.227), Wilkerson might have an outside chance at cracking this hierarchy.
Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Armstrong | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Speaking of position players pitching! In the greatest triumph of all time for the Vulture Save Position Player Pitching Watch, catcher Austin Romine indeed wrapped up a blowout for the Yankees Thursday night. Romine was more of a Mychal Givens than a Stevie Wilkerson, though, with a few pitches in the 80s and three runs allowed on two home runs.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.
Colorado Rockies — Wade Davis has struggled recently, but he looked sharp Thursday against the Nationals in DC, striking out the side while allowing a lone walk to record the save. It’s very simple for fantasy owners: start Davis on the road (0.68 ERA, .178 BAA, 7 saves) and absolutely avoid him at Coors Field (0-4, 9.53 ERA, .301 BAA). Scott Oberg (1.65 ERA, 1.00 WHIP), who has been good everywhere, looms as a viable replacement for Davis in the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Oberg | Shaw.
Cleveland Indians – A.J. Cole picked up a 14th-inning save Thursday, allowing one run. He does not typically factor into the late-inning plans for Cleveland.
Hierarchy remains: Hand | Wittgren | Cimber.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Nick Wittgren — Brad Hand threw 34 pitches Thursday and has pitched in three of five.
2. Ty Buttrey — Hansel Robles has pitched in three straight.
Saturday:
1. Jake Diekman — A Friday appearance would be three of four for Ian Kennedy.
2. Zack Britton — If Aroldis Chapman pitches Friday, that would be four of six.