April 25, 2016
Chicago White Sox – Zach Duke had been used more like a LOOGY in the early going — he didn’t pitch a full inning in any of his first six outings — but he’s now had five straight outings where he’s gone an inning or more, including Sunday, when he pitched the 7th ahead of Nate Jones and David Robertson. Look to him as a possible source of holds going forward.
Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Jones | Duke.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Arquimedes Caminero picked up a save in the 13th inning on Sunday. Though he’s the reigning “best name in baseball” (having taken the title from Coco Crisp, who wrested it from Boof Bonser, who claimed it from Tim Spooneybarger, who won it from Quinton McCracken), Caminero does not factor in to the Pirates’ usual late inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Watson | Feliz.
Cincinnati Reds – Finally, a glimmer of hope for those who have stuck with J.J. Hoover this whole time: the embattled former closer says he’s been tipping his pitches, and thinks he’s corrected the problem. He backed this claim up with a scoreless outing on Sunday, and could re-enter the mix for 9th inning opportunities if he can post a few more zeroes.
Hierarchy remains: *Cingrani | Cotham | Ohlendorf.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pat Neshek, Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson threw 2 innings last night, while Ken Giles has pitched in back to back games (including a 33-pitch loss yesterday).
2. Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox – David Robertson, Nate Jones, and Zach Duke have all pitched in back to back games, meaning we have to reach all the way off of the hierarchy for this one. If Chicago’s top three get a rest, look for Petricka to get the save chance.
3. Joe Blanton, Los Angeles Dodgers – Another big reach here, but Kenley Jansen has gone four of five and so has Chris Hatcher, while Pedro Baez and Luis Avilan have pitched in three straight.