Junichi Tazawa off to sparkling start; Joaquin Benoit finally notches a save

April 18, 2013

Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa pitched two sterling innings last night, striking out 4 in the process, as he bridged the gap between starter and 8th inning man Koji Uehara.  Tazawa has allowed only 1 run in 8 innings this season, and has a K/BB ratio of 8/0 thus far.  Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to 2nd in line, replacing Andrew Miller.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Uehara |Tazawa |Hanrahan |4/18/13 |Hanrahan(DL)|

 
Detroit Tigers – About a week ago, Jim Leyland said Joaquin Benoit would be his closer in most situations, and like all things Leyland, we thought we’d believe it when we saw it.  Early this morning, we finally saw it, as the Tigers went to the veteran righty after finally inching ahead of the Mariners in the 14th inning.  Benoit allowed two hits but picked up his first save of the year, and likely will lead the Detroit save chase for the foreseeable future.  Hierarchy change: Joaquin Benoit to Closer, Phil Coke to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Benoit |Coke |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/18/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Phil Coke, Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit has pitched on back to back nights, and Jim Leyland said earlier this year that Benoit would not be pitching in three straight.
2. Tom Gorzelanny/Burke Badenhop, Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.

Joaquin Benoit now the reliever to own in Detroit

April 18, 2013

Detroit Tigers – About a week ago, Jim Leyland said Joaquin Benoit would be his closer in most situations, and like all things Leyland, we thought we’d believe it when we saw it.  Early this morning, we finally saw it, as the Tigers went to the veteran righty after finally inching ahead of the Mariners in the 14th inning.  Benoit allowed two hits but picked up his first save of the year, and likely will lead the Detroit save chase for the foreseeable future.  Hierarchy change: Joaquin Benoit to Closer, Phil Coke to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Benoit |Coke |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/18/13

 

Atchison giving the Mets some quality innings

April 17, 2013

New York Mets – Josh Edgin was bombed in the fifth inning of yesterday’s nightcap, while Scott Atchison was quite effective in the seventh and eighth, and has allowed only one run in 7 1/3 innings this year. Hierarchy change: Scott Atchison to 2nd in line, replacing Josh Edgin.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Lyon |Atchison |Parnell |4/17/13 |Francis(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rex Brothers/Wilton Lopez, Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt pitched in both ends of yesterday’s doubleheader, and Brothers and Lopez had easier workloads.
2. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has pitched in two straight games.

Shawn Camp melts down again; James Russell and Carlos Marmol now leading Chicago save chase

April 16, 2013

Chicago Cubs – Another Shawn Camp meltdown tonight — this time in the 8th inning of a one-run game the Cubs were losing — means the weathered righthander is almost certainly finished as the Chicago closer.  James Russell still has a 0.00 ERA on the season, and is the fan favorite to inherit the role, but somewhat surprisingly, Carlos Marmol is also in the mix once again.  Two days after saying that Marmol wouldn’t be part of any 9th-inning platoon, Dale Sveum said Tuesday morning that Marmol was “working his way back into” the closer role.  Russell and Marmol are now the two men to watch for Chicago saves until Kyuji Fujikawa returns.  Hierarchy change: James Russell to Closer, Carlos Marmol to Set-up, Shawn Camp to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Russell |Marmol |Camp |Fujikawa |4/16/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

Joel Hanrahan placed on disabled list; Andrew Bailey to close

April 16, 2013

Boston Red Sox – Joel Hanrahan is being placed on the DL with hamstring soreness.  Andrew Bailey will close in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Bailey to Closer, Koji Uehara to Set-up, Andrew Miller to 2nd in line, Joel Hanrahan to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Uehara |Miller |Hanrahan |4/16/13 |Hanrahan(DL)|