Pedro Strop now closing for the Cubs

September 19, 2013

Chicago Cubs – Although the Kevin Gregg era was astonishingly successful in Chicago, the Cubs are looking ahead to next season and have announced that Pedro Strop will close over the last 10 games. Hierarchy change: Pedro Strop to Closer, Kevin Gregg to Set-Up.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHC Pedro Strop Kevin Gregg Blake Parker Pedro Strop 9/19/13

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Disappointing season for Wilton Lopez

September 19, 2013

Colorado Rockies – With the game still close in the 8th inning yesterday, the Rockies went to lefty Adam Ottavino, who pitched a clean inning to lower his ERA to 2.77, nearly a point and a half lower than Wilton Lopez.  Lopez, the former closer for the Astros, never really got it together this year and has been a disappointment for Colorado all year long.  Hierarchy change: Adam Ottavino to 2nd in line, replacing Wilton Lopez.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleAdam OttavinoRex Brothers9/19/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Francisco Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles – The Baltimore bullpen has been heavily taxed as of late, with Jim Johnson having pitched in two straight and five of the last seven, and Tommy Hunter accumulating 5.2 innings in the last six games. In the wild race for the AL wild card, the O’s will probably throw their top guys if they’ve got anything left, but if not, Francisco Rodriguez is the best bet for the save opp.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has a tired arm and has pitched in back to back games.
3. Santiago Casilla, San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo has pitched in two straight and four of six, throwing 98 pitches in that span.

Craig Kimbrel: human after all

September 18, 2013

Atlanta Braves — A blown save on Tuesday and three earned runs in his last two appearances should eliminate Craig Kimbrel from any misguided Cy Young consideration. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelDavid CarpenterJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel9/18/13

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San Diego Padres — With Huston Street on bereavement leave, Luke Gregerson picked up the save. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDHuston StreetLuke GregersonNick VincentHuston Street9/18/13

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Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, Joaquin Benoit was unavailable — but Carter Capps’s ineffectiveness for Seattle robbed Jose Veras of his vulture save opportunity. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras9/18/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. B.J. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon needed 32 pitches to get Tuesday’s save.

Josh Fields is officially Houston’s closer, for whatever that’s worth

September 17, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks — David Hernandez and Brad Ziegler ably finished Monday night’s one-run win over the Dodgers, but lurking in the background is the newly healthy J.J. Putz. Kirk Gibson intends to use him in very brief outings at first, but if, as we suspect, the D-Backs intend to use him as their closer next year, he might get some higher-leverage opportunities before long. Hierarchy change: J.J. Putz to Set-Up, David Hernandez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerJ.J. PutzDavid HernandezJ.J. Putz9/17/13

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Houston Astros — It was a slow night for closer news, so we’ll take the time to point out that, over the weekend, Bo Porter confirmed what we’d suspected for weeks: Josh Fields is officially the Astros closer. We forecast him to earn precisely one more save than your mother over the next two weeks, and she might be easier on your WHIP. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsJosh ZeidKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/17/13

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Cincinnati Reds — Sean Marshall returned to Cincinnati on Monday, but after four months off, he’ll be the third lefty out of the Reds’ pen. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanJ.J. HooverSam LeCureJonathan Broxton9/17/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres — Huston Street is off for another day to attend his grandmother’s funeral.
2. Jose Veras, Detroit Tigers — Although Joaquin Benoit hasn’t had to throw many pitches lately, he has appeared on three of the last four days.

Nick Vincent earning some bigger innings

September 16, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Carter Capps was summoned in the 5th inning on Sunday and has been knocked around in his last few outings.  After a short time when Capps was getting some higher-leverage innings, Charlie Furbush has resumed to his role as a dual set-up man with Yoervis Medina.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line, replacing Carter Capps.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushDanny Farquhar9/16/13

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San Diego Padres – Nick Vincent pitched the 8th inning ahead of Huston Street on Sunday, and has been getting some important innings as of late.  Dale Thayer, meanwhile, has been going through a rough stretch, having allowed 6 earned runs in his last 4.1 innings.  Hierarchy change: Nick Vincent to 2nd in line, replacing Dale Thayer.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDHuston StreetLuke GregersonNick VincentHuston Street9/16/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour got the save last night but has a tired arm so Doolittle or Cook could be used tonight.
3. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Huston Street will miss a few games due to the death of his grandmother.