Jake Petricka blows save while Matt Lindstrom works his way back from injury

August 3, 2014

Chicago White Sox — The White Sox had to call on Jake Petricka in the 8th inning last night trying to hold on to a one run lead.  He came on with two runners on and got the first man to ground out before giving up a go-ahead two run double.  Petricka was charged with a blown save but before the game Robin Ventura said that he has been impressed with Petricka in the closer’s role.  Matt Lindstrom, or Linstrom as the Charlotte Knights like to call him, threw an inning on Friday night and is expected to pitch every other day and could return to the White Sox as early as Thursday.

Hierarchy remains: Petricka | Belisario | Guerra.

Kansas City Royals — Since picking up a save a little over a week ago, Aaron Crow has given up 5 runs (4 earned) in 2.2 innings and the Royals used him in the 5th yesterday in a game they were losing.  Meanwhile, Kelvin Herrera pitched the 7th inning ahead of Wade Davis and Greg Holland on Wednesday and Friday nights and seems to has re-established himself as the best option behind those two guys.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ronald Belisario/Javy Guerra, Chicago White Sox – Jake Petricka has pitched in three straight.

Chicago committee comes through on Monday

July 22, 2014

Chicago White Sox – Chicago’s closer committee continued to chug along on Monday, as Jake Petricka got the save after Zach Putnam had converted the previous two chances. Additionally, displaced closer Ronald Belisario has shined since the All-Star break, having picked up three holds in three opportunities, including one on Monday night. All three holds have come in the eighth inning, and he’s pitched his way back into the conversation should Petricka and Putnam be unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Putnam | Petricka | Belisario.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Al Albuquerque, Detroit Tigers – Both Joe Nathan and Joba Chamberlain have pitched in three straight games.
2. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen and Brian Wilson have both appeared in back-to-back contests.

Petricka picks up save, Jason Grilli and Ernesto Frieri traded

June 28, 2014

Chicago White Sox – Jake Petricka came on to get the last two outs of the 9th inning and preserve a White Sox win.  After the game Robin Ventura said they don’t have a closer right now.  He did mention that Petricka would be used in the later innings, but that this could be a tight spot in the 7th or 8th, and not always the 9th inning.  It sounds like a committee right now, but we will continue to monitor this to see if anybody emerges as the primary closer.

Updated hierarchy: Petricka | Putnam | Guerra.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Ernesto Frieri has been traded to the Pirates in a swap of former closers.  Mark Melancon just became the Pirates closer a week ago, and he should hang on to the job for now.  However, the Pirates like Frieri’s stuff, so if he can get back on track, he could challenge Melancon for saves.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Frieri | Watson.

Los Angeles Angels — The Angels have acquired former Pirates closer Jason Grilli.  Grilli has struggled recently, so it is unlikely that he will immediately take over as the closer for the Angels.  However, the Angels would prefer to have more flexibility in when they bring in Joe Smith, so if Grilli can string together a couple good outings, he could become the closer.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Grilli | Jepsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Zach Putnam/Javy Guerra, Chicago White Sox – For now it looks like a committee in Chicago, so anybody could get the call in the 9th.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in 3 straight.
3. Jeurys Familia, New York Mets – Jenrry Mejia pitched 2 innings last night.
4. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee recorded the save in the first game of the doubleheader yesterday so it could be Joel Peralta’s turn in the committee today.

Ronald Belisario out as closer for White Sox

June 27, 2014

Chicago White Sox – Ronald Belisario could only get 1 out in the 9th inning on Friday night and after the game, Robin Ventura finally pulled the plug on the laboring righty.  The only person mentioned specifically as being “in the mix” for save opportunities is Jake Petricka — the man who bailed Belisario out on Friday.  We like Zach Putnam’s ratios a lot better, while Javy Guerra has the most experience, and Daniel Webb has carried the “future closer” tag for a while.  But actually converting a save carries a lot of weight, so we’ll stick Petricka in the lead until we hear more.

Updated hierarchy: Petricka | Putnam | Guerra.

Ronald Belisario gets vote of confidence; Angels going full-on committee

June 25, 2014

Chicago White Sox — Robin Ventura announced on Tuesday that he was sticking with Ronald Belisario as the White Sox closer despite his troubles — which include 11 earned runs over 11 IP in his 13 appearances in the role. Although Belisario’s peripherals strongly suggest that he’s pitched better than his stats, general manager Rick Hahn made a point of telling the Chicago Tribune that Ventura is free to be “more flexible” in his approach to the ninth, mentioning Zach Putnam, Javy Guerra, and Daniel Webb as options.

Hierarchy remains: Belisario | Putnam | Petricka.

Los Angeles Angels — Mike Scioscia is serious about this committee thing; the last three LA save chances have gone to Cam Bedrosian, Kevin Jepsen, and now Joe Smith. Putative closer Ernesto Frieri worked a clean eighth. We’re keeping things as they have been until we hear something more solid from the Angels brass.

Hierarchy remains: Frieri | Smith | Jepsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson/Justin Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon struggled through a 25-pitch save on Tuesday night and has pitched on three of four days. Watson has had a similar workload, but Wilson hasn’t pitched since last Friday.
2. Brian Wilson, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has pitched on four of the last five days.
3. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals — Rafael Soriano has pitched on four of the last five (and six of the last eight) days, and Tyler Clippard has gone in three straight.