May 9, 2014
Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox were idle on Thursday, but with set-up man Junichi Tazawa struggling, they’re talking about an increased role for hard-throwing lefty Andrew Miller. Miller, once a megaprospect with the Tigers, had a great 2013 in relief for Boston and has been even better this year, posting a 1.84 ERA thus far with 20 strikeouts in just 14.2 innings. Until Tazawa figures stuff out, it sounds as if John Farrell will start using Miller as his 8th inning guy, and possibly as a fill-in closer when Koji Uehara needs a night off.
Hierarchy change: Uehara | Miller | Tazawa.
Baltimore Orioles – Tommy Hunter got the night off on Thursday after two rather challenging saves on each of the previous two days, and Zach Britton was also unavailable, having thrown 3.1 innings over the previous four games. That left Darren O’Day to pick up a vulture save; the submariner will continue sharing set-up duties with Britton going forward.
Hierarchy remains: Hunter | Britton | O’Day.
Texas Rangers – Alexi Ogando’s ugly 2014 continued earlier this week, as he was given a low-leverage 6th inning to sort himself out and responded by giving up 4 ERs. Last night, it was Jason Frasor who got the 8th inning ahead of Joakim Soria, and Frasor pitched a perfect inning to lower his ERA to 1.50. On nights when Soria is unavailable, it seems much more likely that Frasor would get a save opp than Ogando at this point. Ogando, who currently has an ERA over 8, needs to improve quickly or he could fall off the Texas hierarchy entirely.
Hierarchy change: Soria | Frasor | Ogando.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Danny Farquhar, Seattle Mariners – Fernando Rodney has pitched in back to back games and three of four.
2. AJ Ramos/Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has pitched on back to back days and three of four (and five of seven).
3. Steve Delabar/Aaron Loup, Toronto Blue Jays – We expect Brett Cecil to get the majority of save opps until Casey Janssen’s return, but Steve Delabar and Aaron Loup could get chances, too.
4. Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – Chad Qualls and Anthony Bass are sharing the late innings in Houston.