May 20, 2021
Cleveland Indians — Make it two straight saves for James Karinchak, this one coming after Emmanuel Clase pitched the eighth. After the game, Terry Francona said that he was playing matchups and Clase was still the closer, but we’re bringing the asterisk back in the meantime. Cleveland’s bullpen has been so good that both these guys are almost universally owned anyway.
Updated hierarchy: *Clase | Karinchak | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants — A few rough outings for Camilo Doval have seen him moved into a lower-leverage role, and Zack Littell has been the beneficiary. Last night, in a one-run game, he pitched the seventh, Jake McGee the eighth, and Tyler Rogers the ninth — after San Francisco had put a few more runs on the board.
Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | McGee | Littell.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — With a three-run lead, Tampa used Diego Castillo in the eighth and Pete Fairbanks in the ninth. Fairbanks put three men on, yielding a run, but picked up his first save of the season. Ryan Thompson struck out three in the seventh, earning a win and the chance to reenter a hierarchy that basically rolls five-deep at this point.
Updated hierarchy: *Castillo | Fairbanks | Thompson.
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres — It’s Craig Stammen who’s been getting the late-inning work in Drew Pomeranz’s absence, pitching ahead of Emilio Pagan twice over the weekend and then getting the eighth inning with a three-run lead on Wednesday.
Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Pagan | Stammen.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jake McGee (SF) — Even with a four-run lead, Tyler Rogers had a stressful ninth on Wednesday, and he’s gone in three of four. McGee has pitched back-to-back, but hasn’t thrown many pitches.
2. Mike Mayers (LAA) — The Angels have a doubleheader today…
3. Taylor Rogers (MIN) — …against the Twins.
Friday:
1. Dylan Floro (MIA) — Yimi Garcia threw 22 pitches in a four-out save on Wednesday. He probably won’t go in three straight.
2. Chris Martin (ATL) — Will Smith has pitched in two straight.
3. Blake Treinen (LAD) — Kenley Jansen has gone in two of three.