Josh Kinney, Junichi Tazawa ascending

September 23, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa pitched the 9th inning in a tie game on Saturday.  He’s been the most reliable Boston reliever over the last few weeks, including Andrew Bailey, and has earned the trust of Bobby Valentine.  Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Set-up, Vicente Padilla to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Tazawa |Padilla |Bailey |9/23/12

 
New York Mets – Jon Rauch picked up a save on Saturday.  Frank Francisco was reportedly available, but the Mets left Rauch in even after he allowed a HR.  Francisco remains on the Hot Seat, which has basically been a second home for the Mets closer this year, but he hasn’t lost the job yet, as the Mets were probably just giving him an extra day to recover from a nagging injury that kept him out of a few games earlier this week.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |9/23/12

 
Seattle Mariners – Josh Kinney pitched the 8th inning ahead of Tom Wilhelmsen on Saturday.  Charlie Furbush, one of the most consistent relievers in the Seattle bullpen earlier this year, hasn’t seen much action as of late.  Hierarchy change: Josh Kinney to Set-up, Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Kinney |Furbush |Wilhelmsen |9/23/12

 
Kansas City Royals – As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Kelvin Herrera got the save for the Royals on Saturday.  Greg Holland had pitched in three straight and got the night off.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Herrera |Crow |Holland |9/23/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.
2. Josh Kinney, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched in two straight, and has thrown 6 innings over the past five days.
3. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Alburquerque could be key for Tigers down the stretch

September 21, 2012

Detroit Tigers – Al Alburquerque was extraordinary for the Tigers last season, but a stress fracture in his throwing elbow required offseason surgery, sidelining him for much of this year. In the four outings since his recall on September 2, Alburquerque has allowed only one hit against nine strikeouts; this includes a sparkling 2.1 innings yesterday against Oakland. His return will ease any Tiger concern about Octavio Dotel’s recent struggles. Hierarchy change: Al Alburquerque to 2nd in line, replacing Octavio Dotel.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Alburquerque|Valverde |9/21/12

 
San Diego Padres – Given a one-run lead, Luke Gregerson put two men on to start the ninth — so Bud Black played the platoon advantage for the rest of the inning, using five different pitchers who loaded the bases with no outs, only to escape unscathed. Anthony Bass was the last man standing, striking out Aaron Hill for his first career save.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Gregerson |Thayer |Layne |Street |9/21/12 |Street(DL) |

 
Cincinnati Reds – As predicted, the Reds gave Jonathan Broxton the night off — but it was Alfredo Simon who picked up the save in Aroldis Chapman’s continued absence. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |9/21/12

 
Washington Nationals – After pitching in both ends of Wednesday’s doubleheader, Tyler Clippard was rested on Thursday in favor of Drew Storen. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Storen |Burnett |Storen |9/21/12

 
New York Yankees – The Yankees did indeed rest Rafael Soriano, but it was David Robertson who collected the save in his absence, striking out the side. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Robertson |Chamberlain |Robertson |9/21/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has thrown 42 pitches in the last two days.
2. Fernando Salas, St. Louis Cardinals – Jason Motte has pitched in three straight games and on five of the last six days; Mitchell Boggs and Edward Mujica have also seen heavy recent use.
3. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman might be a few more days away from returning.
4. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.
5. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Andrew Bailey blew a save on Thursday in a brutal 28-pitch outing. His job is safe, but he might need a day off.

Ronald Belisario to close; Kenley Jansen’s season in jeopardy

August 30, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves returns from a team-imposed suspension on Tuesday.  While Bobby Valentine said on Monday that he wasn’t sure what role the righty would assume upon returning, Aceves’s usage yesterday suggests he’s definitely no longer the team’s closer.  With the Red Sox down by 7, Aceves was summoned for two innings of mop-up relief.  He’d still likely assume the closer role again if Andrew Bailey struggles, but he’s no longer the man in Boston.  Hierarchy change: Alfredo Aceves to Set-up, Vicente Padilla to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Aceves |Padilla |Bailey |8/30/12

 
Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook got the last out of the 8th inning in a close game on Wednesday, then stayed on for the 9th after the A’s tacked on a few runs.  Cook has been pitching quite well as of late, but unfortunately for him, so has Grant Balfour, who will probably hold on to the role unless he starts to struggle.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Doolittle |Cook |8/30/12

 
San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez picked up his 5th save of the season on Wednesday, inducing a double play ground out from the only hitter he faced.  The Giants are still in full platoon mode.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/30/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Ronald Belisario picked up the save on Wednesday, throwing 1.2 innings with the Dodgers up by two runs.  After the game, the Dodgers revealed that Kenley Jansen is battling a heart condition that kept him out for a month last year.  Seemingly out of nowhere, his season is in jeopardy.  Belisario should close, but behind him, there are few sure things.  Deadline acquisition Brandon League is the best bet to move in to the set-up role.  Hierarchy change: Ronald Belisario to Closer, Brandon League to Set-up, Jamey Wright to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Belisario |League |Wright |Jansen |8/30/12 |Jansen(INJ) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. 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.
2. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – With the Giants in full committee mode, Sergio Romo or Javier Lopez could get a save on any night.

Andrew Bailey takes over as closer with Alfredo Aceves suspended

August 26, 2012

Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle pitched the 8th inning ahead of Grant Balfour on Saturday, striking out 2 in a perfect inning for his 9th hold of the year.  The A’s have gone back and forth between Doolittle and Jerry Blevins over the past month or so, using whoever is pitching better as their go-to lefty.  Lately, that’s been Doolittle, who over his last 7 innings pitched has allowed 0 runs while striking out 13.  Hierarchy change: Sean Doolittle to 2nd in line, replacing Jerry Blevins.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Doolittle |Cook |8/26/12

 
Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has been suspended for three games for conduct detrimental to the team.  At the moment, it is unclear whether he was suspended for his expletive-laden media comment after his last blown save, or due to an explosive meeting he had with Bobby Valentine after being bypassed for the save yesterday.  Either way, this might be it for the mercurial righty, as Bailey, barring any slip-ups, should take the job and run with it from here.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Bailey to Closer, Vicente Padilla to Set-up, Craig Breslow to 2nd in line, Alfredo Aceves suspended.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Padilla |Breslow |Bailey |8/25/12 |Aceves(SUSP)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in three straight games.
2. Craig Breslow, Boston Red Sox – Both Andrew Bailey and Vicente Padilla have pitched in three straight.
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.
4. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – With the Giants in full committee mode, Sergio Romo or Javier Lopez could get a save on any night.

Alfredo Aceves suspended; Andrew Bailey to take over, possibly for good

August 25, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has been suspended for three games for conduct detrimental to the team.  At the moment, it is unclear whether he was suspended for his expletive-laden media comment after his last blown save, or due to an explosive meeting he had with Bobby Valentine after being bypassed for the save yesterday.  Either way, this might be it for the mercurial righty, as Bailey, barring any slip-ups, should take the job and run with it from here.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Bailey to Closer, Vicente Padilla to Set-up, Craig Breslow to 2nd in line, Alfredo Aceves suspended.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Padilla |Breslow |Bailey |8/25/12 |Aceves(SUSP)|