Jeremy Affeldt on shaky ground; Scott Downs returns from DL

August 19, 2012

New York Mets – Over his last 21 appearances- a 15-inning stretch- Jon Rauch has only given up one earned run.  He finished off the 8th inning last night, and coupled with his two bail-out saves of Frank Francisco earlier this week, he’s moved past Bobby Parnell on the Mets depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Jon Rauch to Set-up, Bobby Parnell to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |8/19/12

 
San Francisco Giants – After Jeremy Affeldt gave up 2 runs while only recording 2 outs in the 9th inning on Saturday, he was yanked in favor of Clay Hensley, who got the last out for his 3rd save of the season.  Hensley doesn’t factor in to the usual late-inning plans for San Francisco, but with the Giants already using a committee of Affeldt, Sergio Romo, and Javier Lopez, this outing is enough to potentially cost Affeldt future save chances.  Jeremy Affeldt to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/19/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs was activated from the DL on Saturday.  Downs, who has 9 saves on the season, should return to his old set-up role and may occasionally see a save chance as he did before.  Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to Set-up, Kevin Jepsen to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Jepsen |Frieri |8/19/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has pitched in three straight games.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in back-to-back games.  The Reds have been trying to protect his arm and have only used him in three straight twice all season.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Clay Hensley bails out Santiago Casilla for second save of the season

June 24, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Clay Hensley picked up a one-out save after Santiago Casilla couldn’t close the door for the Giants on Saturday.  Casilla has been solid all season, with only one official blown, and his job will not be in jeopardy unless he has a few more poor outings.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |6/24/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde’s injury isn’t particularly serious, but he will be out through the weekend.  Joaquin Benoit will get save chances until he returns.

Jeremy Affeldt nabs a save; Jon Rauch struggles, may be hurt

June 5, 2012

New York Mets – Jon Rauch took the loss on Monday, surrendering a 2-run HR to Allen Craig, and after the game headed to the hospital for an elbow examination.  At minimum, he’s again fallen behind Bobby Parnell on the Mets depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Bobby Parnell to Set-up, Jon Rauch to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Parnell |Rauch |Francisco |6/5/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Ronald Belisario pitched the 8th inning in a tie game on Monday, eventually earning the win after the Dodgers broke through against Jonathon Papelbon.  Belisario (1.26 ERA) continues his quick ascent in the Dodgers’ pen, as he is now the primary set-up man for Kenley Jansen.  Hierarchy change: Ronald Belisario to Set-up, Josh Lindblom to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Jansen |Belisario |Lindblom |Jansen |6/5/12

 
San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla was held out again on Monday, and Jeremy Affeldt recorded a 2-inning save in his stead.  Affeldt and Clay Hensley have similar ERAs and strikeout ratios, but Affeldt currently has the edge on the San Francisco depth chart.  Casilla, as noted earlier, will not need a DL stint and remains day-to-day.  Hierarchy change: Jeremy Affeldt to 2nd in line, replacing Clay Hensley. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |6/5/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brandon League, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched 4.2 innings over the past three days, throwing 56 pitches in the process.
2. Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins – Matt Capps has pitched in three consecutive games.
3. Mitchell Boggs, St. Louis Cardinals – Jason Motte has pitched in two games in a row, including a multi-inning effort yesterday.
4. Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has gotten all of the save opportunities since Rafael Dolis’s demotion, but his usage over the past two days- he’s pitched in the 8th and then the 7th inning in games the Cubs were trailing- shows he’s not being used like a traditional closer yet.  Should the Cubs face a righty-heavy 9th inning, Shawn Camp could pick up a save.
5. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – If the Giants continue to hold out Santiago Casilla, then Sergio Romo or Javier Lopez could nab a save. Jeremy Affeldt pitched two innings yesterday and may need the night off tonight.

Brian Fuentes blows first save; Jon Rauch re-establishes himself

Oakland A’s – Brian Fuentes allowed a walkoff 3-run HR last night in what was his first blown save since he was named closer two and a half weeks ago.  But while Fuentes has been decent in his role as the A’s stopper, the A’s set-up men have been better.  Former closer Grant Balfour has held opponents scoreless in 8 of his last 9 appearances.  Ryan Cook, meanwhile, gave up his first runs of the season the other day, but still sports a 0.75 ERA.  If Fuentes falters again, the A’s could start thinking about making a move.  Brian Fuentes to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Fuentes |Cook |Balfour |Cook |5/30/12

 
New York Mets – After getting knocked around a bit in the middle of May, Jon Rauch has settled down, allowing just one run in his last six appearances.  He pitched the 8th inning ahead of Frank Francisco yesterday; Bobby Parnell was used in the 7th.  Hierarchy change: Jon Rauch to Set-up, Bobby Parnell to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |5/30/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched in three straight games.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has pitched in three straight.
3. Sergio Romo/Clay Hensley, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has pitched in three straight.
4. Edward Mujica/Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched in two straight, and in four of the last five.
5. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri will get the majority of opportunities, but Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.
6. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has gotten all three save opportunities since Henry Rodriguez was demoted, but Davey Johnson has said that Sean Burnett could still get opportunities based on match-ups.

Casey Coleman a darkhorse for saves in Chicago

May 29, 2012

San Francisco Giants – While Javier Lopez has gotten a handful of saves this season when the Giants are facing lefty-heavy lineups, he wouldn’t likely inherit the full time job even if Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo were both hurt.  Instead, the role would likely go to Clay Hensley, who pitched a scoreless 8th inning ahead of Casilla on Monday.  Hierarchy change: Clay Hensley to 2nd in line, replacing Javier Lopez. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Hensley |Wilson |5/29/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs – Casey Coleman pitched a clean 9th inning for the Cubs on Monday.  While it was not a save opportunity– the Cubs were up by 4– Coleman was briefly mentioned by Dale Sveum over the weekend as someone who could be a 9th inning option.  While Sveum strongly endorsed James Russell and Shawn Camp for the role, Coleman could be a dark horse for saves.  Hierarchy change: Casey Coleman to 2nd in line, replacing Rafael Dolis. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Russell |Camp |Coleman |Marmol |5/29/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri will get the majority of opportunities, but Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.
2. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has gotten all three save opportunities since Henry Rodriguez was demoted, but Davey Johnson has said that Sean Burnett could still get opportunities based on match-ups.