August 29, 2013
Oakland A’s – Brett Anderson picked up a three-inning save on Wednesday. The former starter does not factor in to the A’s usual late-inning plans. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| OAK | Grant Balfour | Ryan Cook | Sean Doolittle | Ryan Cook | 8/29/13 |
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Baltimore Orioles – Though Jim Johnson made a strong case for reclaiming his closer job in his last outing, it took five days before either he or Tommy Hunter appeared in a game again. It finally happened tonight, with Hunter being summoned in the middle of the 8th inning, whereupon he promptly gave up the go-ahead run and took the loss. Though Buck Showalter was far from supportive of Johnson a week ago (on the night that he used Hunter to get the save), the Orioles former closer appears to have won his old job back. He does, however, immediately land on the Hot Seat, and will need a few saves in a row to get off of it. Hierarchy change: Jim Johnson to Closer, Tommy Hunter to Set-up.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| BAL | Jim Johnson | Tommy Hunter | Francisco Rodriguez | Jim Johnson | 8/28/13 |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays – Both Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta have pitched in back-to-back games, and four of the last five.
2. Scott Downs, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in two straight games and three of the last four; Luis Avilan has pitched in two straight and four of five; and Jordan Walden is dealing with a lingering leg issue. If they’re all unavailable, Downs would likely be the next man up for the save opp.
