Tommy Hunter’s reign as O’s closer appears over

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
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook8/29/13

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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
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/28/13

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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.

Jim Johnson likely returning to the closer role

August 28, 2013

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
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/28/13

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Still unsettled in the Angels ‘pen; Fernando Rodney to the Hot Seat

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
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaMichael KohnErnesto Frieri8/28/13

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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
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney8/28/13
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
ATLCraig KimbrelLuis AvilanJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel8/28/13

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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
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins8/28/13

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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.

More of the usual Astro madness

August 27, 2013

Houston Astros — With Josh Fields (three straight appearances) and Chia-Jen Lo (31 pitches) unavailable on Monday, Josh Zeid was first out of the bullpen in a save situation. Zeid was used ahead of Kevin Chapman, who is still being wielded mostly as a lefty matchup guy — which is precisely why he was summoned after Zeid put runners on second and third. Jordan Lyles, who threw 115 pitches against the Blue Jays just last Friday, wound up with the save after Chapman walked his man, but Chapman holds his spot in the Houston hierarchy: Astros relievers are likelier than most to need matchup help in save situations. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields8/27/13

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Kevin Jepsen and J.J. Putz return to the disabled list

August 26, 2013

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels’ struggling bullpen took another blow on Sunday, as Kevin Jepsen underwent appendix surgery and will likely miss the rest of the season.  Michael Kohn, who picked up his 6th hold of the season on Saturday, should see more high-leverage innings in Jepsen’s absence.  Hierarchy change: Michael Kohn to 2nd in line, replacing Kevin Jepsen.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaMichael KohnErnesto Frieri8/26/13

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Houston Astros – After picking up the save on Saturday, Chia-Jen Lo was summoned in the 9th inning on Sunday, ready to tighten his grip on the Houston closer role.  However, Lo had an absolutely miserable outing, as the first four hitters he faced reached base, including three by walk.  After walking in the game-tying run, Lo faced one more hitter, then was yanked, and eventually was saddled with the loss, as the Astros continue to look for someone to seize hold of the closer role.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields8/26/13

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Arizona Diamondbacks – J.J. Putz hit the disabled list again yesterday, which means — sorry, D-Backs fans — more high-leverage innings for Heath Bell.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Set-up, Joe Thatcher to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerHeath BellJoe ThatcherJ.J. Putz8/26/13
J.J. Putz (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chia-Jen Lo, Houston Astros – Josh Fields has pitched in three straight, so Lo will likely get the save chance tonight.
2. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Kevin Gregg has pitched in back to back games and three of the past four.