Tyler

Kinley

Kinley has mostly been very good in the second half, and he reemerged as the Rockies’ closer when Victor Vodnik was hurt, but he’s done for the year now after giving up three runs with the Rockies already losing Thursday. Vodnik will probably be the favorite for saves the rest of the way.

Vodnik surrendered a game-tying three-run homer, only to wind up with the victory after the Rockies scored four times in the bottom of the eighth. Vodnik is currently working in a setup role in front of Tyler Kinley, so there’s no sense in using him in mixed leagues right now. He should be unavailable Saturday after making his third appearance in four days tonight.

Kinley allowed a walk and an infield single before striking out Zach McKinstry to end the game. Viktor Vodnik, who was closing before getting hurt last month, pitched a scoreless seventh in this one. It’s still possible the Rockies could go back to Vodnik before the end of the month, but they don’t seem to be in any hurry to do so.

Kinley is suddenly on a nice little stretch. His slider forced five swings-and-misses in his lone inning of work and he hasn’t blown a save since August 12th. This is a great run, but the Rockies will return home next Friday for 12 of their final 15 games. Tread lightly.

Vodnik, who was out with biceps inflammation, made one rehab appearance, pitching a scoreless inning for Double-A Hartford on Friday. He’ll likely return to the closer’s role for the Rockies, though perhaps not for his first few days back. Tyler Kinley is 4-for-4 saving games in his place, but he did have a disastrous outing to blow a four-run lead against the Marlins on Aug. 27.

Kinley worked his way out of trouble when Brewer Hicklen (yes, that’s his real name) was thrown out trying to tag-up from second to third base after the second out was recorded. He had just stolen a base, but was trying to do too much. Kinley has saved three games over the last week and hasn’t allowed a run away from Coors Field since July 26th. Yet, as with any Rockies’ pitcher, proceed with caution.

Kinley’s save was his ninth of the year. He struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning. He has a 6.18 ERA on the season and isn’t a recommended fantasy option, but if you’re desperate for saves he’s the Rockies’ closer.

Kinley allowed a walk, but worked around that by either striking out the side or striking out a lot of people in one inning; depending on where you fall on that side of the debate. The 33-year-old has saved eight games for the Rockies, but he’s also allowed a ghastly 6.23 ERA in the process.

The Rockies were up by four runs in the ninth inning and decided to go to their closer despite him just pitching in a save situation on Monday. It did not go well. Two of the three hits he allowed went for extra bases, including a double by Jake Burger that drove in two runs. He left the game with a two-run lead and two runners on before Angel Chivilli allowed a game-winning home run to Jesus Sanchez. Kinley likely will remain the closer in Colorado, but he’s not a recommended add in fantasy leagues.

The save was Kinley’s seventh of the year and first since Victor Vodnik was placed on the injured list last week. Kinley has been scored on in only one of his last 13 appearances and has a 0.64 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 14 innings in that time. If you’re desperate for saves, he’s the guy in Colorado for now.