June 11, 2012
Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day picked up his 4th win of the year on Sunday, pitching a scoreless frame in the 10th inning. The submariner now has a 1.78 ERA and has shown that he can consistently get both righties and lefties out. Hierarchy change: Darren O’Day to 2nd in line, replacing Luis Ayala.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |O'Day |Johnson |6/11/12
Seattle Mariners – Before Sunday’s game, Eric Wedge said that he’d likely put Brandon League back in the closer role “sooner rather than later.” Tom Wilhelmsen has performed well in the role since League’s demotion– and League got knocked around a bit on Sunday– but it sounds as if Wilhelmsen will inevitably move back to a set-up role once Wedge reinstalls his former closer. Tom Wilhelmsen to Hot Seat.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |League |Furbush |League |6/11/12
Pittsburgh Pirates – Up until Sunday, the Pirates had used Jason Grilli exclusively in the 8th inning, vaulting Juan Cruz from his 7th inning role into the closer role on nights when Joel Hanrahan was unavailable. But yesterday, with Hanrahan getting the night off, the Pirates finally gave Grilli a save opp, and he converted. Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up, Juan Cruz to 2nd in line.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Cruz |Hanrahan |6/11/12
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs picked up the save last night, but looked a bit shaky, giving up his first earned run of the season. Since Ernesto Frieri got his first opportunity, the Angels have given Downs three save chances, while Frieri has gotten four. While there’s no end in sight to the platoon, Frieri still stands to get a few more opportunities than Downs. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Walden |Walden |6/11/12
Milwaukee Brewers – After John Axford got in trouble in the 9th inning on Sunday, Jose Veras came on and got the last out, recording his first save of the season. Axford has struggled in non-save situations this year, but is 10/11 in save chances and is not in danger of losing his job. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |6/11/12
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Burnett/Brad Lidge, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched in three straight, and in five of the last six.
2. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 4 of the last 7 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.
