Tyler

Kinley

The Rockies really wanted to get Vodnik into this one, apparently, because Halvorsen had gotten two outs and allowed only a soft single in a 3-3 game. Vodnik took over with the runner on second and gave up hits to both batters he faced, with the inning ending because a runner was thrown out on the bases. It resulted in a loss for Halvorsen, as the Rockies were defeated 5-3. Vodnik and Halvorsen could both be in the mix for saves in Colorado, though Tyler Kinley seems like the favored option. Kinley had easily the best spring, pitching 6 2/3 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts. Vodnik had a 4.91 ERA and an 8/1 K/BB in 7 1/3 innings. Halvorsen had a 6.75 ERA and a 10/5 K/BB in 9 1/3 innings.

Halvorsen has reeled off a pair of shutout frames to kick off Cactus League play. The hard-throwing 25-year-old righty represents a true dark horse saves candidate for fantasy purposes since Tyler Kinley represents the lone obstacle in Colorado’s high-leverage mix. He’ll have some fantasy appeal if he winds up wresting the job away at some point in the coming weeks.

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.