April 24, 2012
St. Louis Cardinals — For the second straight night, and third in the last four, Mitchell Boggs pitched the 8th in a tight game; he has clearly passed Fernando Salas as the Cards’ top set-up option. Hierarchy change: Mitchell Boggs to Set-up, Fernando Salas to 2nd in line.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Salas |Motte |4/24/12
Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen hasn’t pitched since he blew a save on April 14, and Jason Frasor has been idle since a 3-run outing on April 19. In the meantime, Luis Perez and Darren Oliver have been getting more work, including high-leverage outings by Perez on April 20 and last night. With Sergio Santos out, the bullpen situation in Toronto remains quite fluid. Hierarchy change: Luis Perez to Set-up, Jason Frasor to 2nd in Line.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Cordero |Perez |Frasor |Santos |4/24/12 |Santos (DL) |
Houston Astros — Brandon Lyon has been slipping behind Fernando Rodriguez on the Astros’ depth chart, a fact that was made clearer last night when Brad Mills called upon Lyon to pitch the sixth inning, down three runs. Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodriguez to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in Line.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |F.Rodriguez |Lyon |Myers |4/24/12
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays — Francisco Cordero has now pitched on two straight nights, and in three of the last four games. If the Blue Jays need to protect a close lead against the Orioles again on Tuesday, John Farrell will almost certainly go in another direction.
2. Fernando Salas, St. Louis Cardinals — Jason Motte threw 31 pitches before blowing the save last night against the Cubs, and Mitchell Boggs has been getting regular work in the set-up role. Salas is positioned well to steal a save.
