August 29, 2015
Boston Red Sox — Junichi Tazawa is not making things comfortable in Boston. Up three in the tenth, Tazawa gave up a single, induced a double play, then walked one guy after another after another after another. Craig Breslow (the last guy left in the bullpen) bailed him out and earned a save for his trouble. Because a trainer came out to examine Tazawa after the double play, many speculated that his back was bothering him, but after the game, he claimed that he simply lost his release point. Red Sox fans wish Torey Lovullo would lose his phone number. In August, Tazawa has a 9.31 ERA, 2.28 WHIP, and only 3 Ks in 10 appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Tazawa | Machi | Ogando.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Kevin Jepsen did indeed get the save on Friday, but Glen Perkins returned from his back spasms to pitch a scoreless seventh, and will return to the closer role going forward.
Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May.
Colorado Rockies — John Axford has pitched well since regaining the closer role, but the rest of the Colorado bullpen continues to stink. Friday, the team sent Tommy Kahnle down to Albuquerque, leaving Scott Oberg as the only remaining pedigreed reliever — and he celebrated by giving up two runs in a tied eighth to pick up the loss. With no hope of playoff baseball, the Rockies are trying some new guys in the ‘pen, including big-armed Venezuelan Jairo Diaz, who has a 100+ MPH fastball and a plus slider.
Updated hierarchy: Axford | Oberg | Diaz.
Philadelphia Phillies — Jerome Williams, by all accounts a friendly guy, is nonetheless the very worst pitcher on the very worst team in baseball. On Friday, demoted from the rotation, Jerome pitched a high-leverage eighth to give his beleaguered bullpen a rest, then headed back out for a pressure-free save, newly staked to a six-run lead. That strange feeling, Philadelphia? It’s joy. It’ll pass. Eat Arby’s.
Hierarchy remains: Giles | Garcia | Gomez.
Atlanta Braves — Left fielder Jonny Gomes was a more effective pitcher than Andrew McKirahan on Friday night, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the rookie sent down before Saturday’s game. There isn’t much else to choose from for the Braves right now, so by default we must turn to Peter Moylan, in honor of his Rec Specs and his relief dominance (okay, competence) back in ’07, ’09, and ’10.
Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Jackson | Moylan.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jean Machi, Boston Red Sox — Junichi Tazawa needed 28 pitches on Friday and looked so bad that he probably won’t get the next save chance.
2. Seth Maness/Steve Cishek, St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal is out all weekend on paternity leave, and Kevin Siegrist struggled immensely on Friday night. Jonathan Broxton threw 27 pitches himself, so Maness and Cishek are the best-rested options.
3. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has gone in two straight and is pitching through arm stiffness.
4. Sam Dyson/Keone Kela, Texas Rangers — Shawn Tolleson has pitched on three of the last four days (56 pitches), and six of the last eight! Maybe Lucille Fleming, who throws at 103, is available.
5. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen has pitched in three of four and four of six.
