July 23, 2015
Philadelphia Phillies – ESPN’s Jayson Stark is reporting that trade talks about closer Jonathan Papelbon have stalled with the three most likely landing spots (Cubs, Dodgers, Blue Jays). This is bad news for anyone that was speculating on this trade. Ken Giles won’t get a shot while Papelbon is still around, and Papelbon would see more save opportunities with a contender. Philadelphia will still be shopping Papelbon around, and Papelbon himself is still clamoring to get out, but if these reports are true he may be stuck with the Phillies for the rest of the year. At least he got the win yesterday.
Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Giles | Gomez.
Texas Rangers – Tanner Scheppers really worked for the win yesterday, giving up four runs in the 8th and ballooning his ERA to 5.63. He was bailed out when John Axford gave up a pair of runs to take the loss, but Scheppers has had a miserable run lately. Manager Jeff Banister gave him a vote of confidence, saying he has electric stuff and that he will still get the 8th, and sometimes the 7th, inning. Meanwhile, Keone Kela has gone three straight appearances without giving up a hit, and has only given up a single run in his last 10 outings. If Scheppers’ bad run continues, look for Spencer Patton to find his way into the late-inning mix as well.
Updated hierarchy: Tolleson | Kela | Scheppers.
Chicago Cubs – Jason Motte got the call in the second game of a doubleheader and locked down his sixth save of the year. He’s been outstanding since taking the lead of the committee, so much so that it’s time to kick the asterisk and call him the outright closer in Chicago (at least the North Side). Rafael Soriano is still lurking as a potential challenger, but it appears that the job is Motte’s to lose at this point.
Hierarchy remains: Motte | Rondon | Soriano.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bruce Rondon, Detroit Tigers – Joakim Soria needed 30 pitches to pick up the save yesterday and may need the afternoon off.
2. Steve Delabar/Bo Schultz, Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna threw 32 pitches and took the loss in extra innings on Wednesday.
3. Edward Mujica, Oakland Athletics – Tyler Clippard hurled 40 pitches and blew the save yesterday.
4. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has required 28 pitches in back-to-back appearances and may get a rest.
5. Carter Capps, Miami Marlins – AJ Ramos has thrown 37 pitches over the past two days.