August 28, 2013
Los Angeles Angels — Mike Scioscia is not helping our trust issues. Every time we think we can relax and open up a little, the guy goes back on his word. Take last night, for instance! Just a few days after he said he could be ready to settle down and commit to Ernesto Frieri as closer again, he goes and sends Frieri out to pitch the eighth — in a game the Angels trailed! — because he “needed work.” And then OF COURSE Fernando Rodney blows the save, and out trots that Dane de la Rosa for the save again just like a few weeks ago, and Scioscia’s all like, “I told you this could happen. Don’t blame me.” We don’t, Mike. We blame ourselves. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| LAA | Ernesto Frieri | Dane de la Rosa | Michael Kohn | Ernesto Frieri | 8/28/13 |
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Tampa Bay Rays — After Joel Peralta struck out the side in the eighth inning, Fernando Rodney entered and blew his eighth save of the season. The Rays fell to 3-12 in games where they have blown leads in the seventh inning or later. With the Rays in the heart of a pennant race, they can’t afford to keep losing this way. Fernando Rodney to Hot Seat.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| TB | Fernando Rodney | Joel Peralta | Jake McGee | Fernando Rodney | 8/28/13 | |||||
| Jesse Crain (DL) |
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Atlanta Braves — Jordan Walden hasn’t pitched in a week, and Luis Avilan and Scott Downs have been working late in games for Atlanta. We don’t think Walden is out of the picture yet, but the Braves are being careful with him for some reason — possibly connected to the line drive he took off his pitching hand on August 10th. Hierarchy change: Luis Avilan to Set-up, Jordan Walden to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| ATL | Craig Kimbrel | Luis Avilan | Jordan Walden | Craig Kimbrel | 8/28/13 |
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Minnesota Twins — Jared Burton picked up his second straight loss and eighth of the season by entering a tied game and surrendering three singles and a walk. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| MIN | Glen Perkins | Jared Burton | Casey Fien | Glen Perkins | 8/28/13 |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney needed 31 pitches in a blown save on Monday, and has thrown on three of the last four days.
2. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox — Addison Reed has pitched in three straight games.
3. Dane de la Rosa, Los Angeles Angels — You just never know with this Scioscia character.
