Erik Miller earns second save in four days

It sounds like Chapman is getting close to being available again after missing time with lat tightness that cropped up last Thursday. The 38-year-old southpaw’s unbelievable late-career renaissance has resulted in back-to-back 30-save campaigns for the Red Sox. It’ll likely be Erik Miller or Garrett Whitlock handling a potential save chance during Tuesday’s series opener against the Guardians.

Miller was summoned to protect a three-run lead with Aroldis Chapman presumably unavailable due to an ongoing lat issue. Things got interesting after Victor Mesa Jr. reached on an infield single and Yandy Díaz drew a one-out walk to bring the potential tying run to the plate. A ground out by ensuing batter Jonathan Aranda brought a run home before Miller wisely elected to walk red-hot Junior Caminero. A wild pitch enabled Ryan Vilade to reach base safely after striking out before Miller got speedster Chandler Simpson to ground out to end the contest. Miller has been phenomenal as a setup specialist since coming over from the Giants at the trade deadline, but there’s a chance he picks up a few more saves down the home stretch depending on Chapman’s health and availability, which gives him some short-term fantasy appeal.

It’s a tough break for Miller’s immediate fantasy outlook as he’ll be stuck behind Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock in Boston’s high-leverage mix. However, he provides the Red Sox with another reliable late-inning option as they attempt to make a real playoff push following the best month in franchise history. The 28-year-old lefty boasts a strong 2.76 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 45/22 K/BB ratio across 32 2/3 innings this season. His departure obviously leaves San Francisco’s closing situation in flux.

The Red Sox sure are burning a lot of talent here. Miller is quite good and under control for three years after this one, but giving up a long-term regular for a left-handed reliever is quite a loss of value. Mayer is currently on the shelf with an arm injury and might not be much of a factor this year, but he should be the Giants’ second baseman next year and he remains very much an option at short if the club could find a taker for Willy Adames. Miller’s fantasy value disappears with the deal, since he won’t be a candidate for saves in Boston. With the Giants shedding both he and Caleb Kilian, Dylan Smith is probably their favorite for saves at the moment.

Kilian missed all of last season with a labrum strain, and he returned this season as a full-time reliever. He has posted a 4.26 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 53/20 K/BB ratio in 44 1/3 innings for the Giants. He’s been mostly better than those numbers would indicate, but a few bad appearances have dragged the surface-level stats down. He’s an interesting add for the middle of the Phillies’ bullpen. Erik Miller will likely continue to get the save chances in San Francisco.

Even though he’s walked 22 in 31 1/3 innings, Miller is pretty clearly manager Tony Vitello’s most trusted reliever at the moment. That doesn’t mean he’ll get all of the save chances, since it will make sense to play matchups with him at time. Still, he’s probably a better use of a roster spot than Caleb Kilian in fantasy leagues right now.

Miller replaced Keaton Winn in a tie game in the eighth and remained in after the Giants scored twice in the bottom of the inning, as Caleb Kilian was left in the pen after blowing his last save chance on Friday. Miller gave up a leadoff single, but he retired three in a row afterwards, winning an 11-pitch battle with Cole Carrigg to end the game. Miller could be a possibility to pick up some saves after the break. He could also be a candidate to be traded if the Giants decide to sell, but since he’s not going to be a free agent until after 2029, the team would demand a significant return.

Erik Miller and Caleb Kilian combined to turn a five-run lead into a two-run lead in the eighth, setting up the save chance for Gage in the ninth. Gage wound up retiring all three batters he faced for an easy save in a two-run game. Kilian, Miller and Keaton Winn are probably all still ahead of him in line for saves in San Francisco.

Miller returns after missing just the minimum 15 days while dealing with a lower back strain. The 28-year-old should be a mid-to-late inning option for the Giants now that he’s healthy enough to operate in said role.

Miller was just placed on the injured list on Monday with a lower back strain, but he is already throwing and will be out on a rehab assignment quickly. He should return to the Giants when first eligible next week, which may put a little bit of a damper on the excitement about Caleb Kilian in fantasy leagues. Those two could share saves as part of a committee in San Francisco.