July 3, 2012
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol was unavailable on Monday, but it was James Russell who got the call in the 9th inning, not Shawn Camp. This came as a bit of a surprise, since Camp had pitched as a set-up man in the 8th inning in the previous two games. But it worked out for the Cubs, as Camp again pitched the 8th and allowed only one hit in his inning of work, leaving a lefty-heavy 9th inning for Russell, who earned the save. Camp, who now has 9 straight scoreless outings, is still the most likely candidate for a save on nights when Marmol is unavailable. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Camp |Russell |Marmol |7/3/12
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs cleaned up Jered Weaver’s mess in the 8th inning of a 3-0 game on Monday, and then stayed on for the lefty-heavy ninth to earn his 7th save. Downs remains arguably the best set-up man in baseball, but will only see occasional save opportunities if Ernesto Frieri’s dominance continues. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Hawkins |Walden |7/3/12
Miami Marlins – The Marlins placed Edward Mujica on the DL over the weekend. Mike Dunn has pitched in the 8th inning in each of the last three games, and slides up to take his place. Hierarchy change: Mike Dunn to 2nd in line, Edward Mujica to DL.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |7/3/12 |Mujica(DL) |
San Diego Padres – Clayton Richard couldn’t quite close out a complete game on Monday, as Joe Thatcher was summoned to record the final out in a 6-2 game. There were a couple men on base, so Thatcher earned his first save of the season. The lefty is unlikely to get many save chances going forward, even if Huston Street is dealt. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Street |Gregerson |Thayer |Street |7/3/12
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brandon League, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched 4 innings over the last three games.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – With with the Twins employing a true platoon, Jared Burton could get the save opp on any night, but that’s especially true tonight, as Glen Perkins has pitched three games in a row.
