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April 6, 2017
Texas Rangers — Last season, Sam Dyson gave up 19 earned runs in 73 appearances. In his first two games of this season, he’s almost halfway there (8 ER, 1 IP), with the latest blow a go-ahead grand slam by Francisco Lindor. The Rangers have fired their closer each of the last two Mays, but so far Jeff Banister is a lot calmer than Rangers media (“Is it time for full-fledged panic?”). The Rangers have tomorrow off, so we expect Dyson to get the next save chance — although speculators should give Matt Bush a slight edge over Jeremy Jeffress.
Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Bush | Jeffress.
Tampa Bay Rays — Kevin Cash is weird. He pulled starter Alex Cobb in the sixth after just 90 pitches, then yanked putative setup guy Xavier Cedeno after only one batter, who got an infield single. Jumbo Diaz escaped the jam, allowing Cash to get two scoreless innings from Erasmo Ramirez. Alex Colome earned the save despite two hits that bounced off him at high velocity. We won’t mess with the Rays’ hierarchy yet, but changes could be coming.
Hierarchy remains: Colome | Cedeno | Ramirez.
Cleveland Indians — In the first success for the long-range Vulture Save Watch, Bryan Shaw picked up a save while Cody Allen and Andrew Miller rested after pitching in two straight.
Hierarchy remains: Allen | Miller | Shaw.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Arodys Vizcaino, Atlanta Braves — Jim Johnson went two innings on Wednesday; he might rest tomorrow.
2. Dan Altavilla, Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz can probably pitch on Thursday after going two innings, but if not, Altavilla is best rested.
Friday (new feature):
1. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals — If Blake Treinen goes in three of four, we’ll find out who’s second in line in Washington. Our guess is Kelley.
2. Arodys Vizcaino, Atlanta Braves — If Johnson does pitch Thursday, he’ll get Friday off.
3. Nick Vincent, Seattle Mariners — Vincent shouldn’t pitch tomorrow, so if Diaz does, look for Nick on Friday.
4. Joe Kelly, Boston Red Sox — Pitching tomorrow would mean three outings in four days for Craig Kimbrel.
5. Drew Storen, Cincinnati Reds — The same applies to Raisel Iglesias.
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