May 16, 2014
Baltimore Orioles – Two days after Tommy Hunter blew his second straight save chance, Buck Showalter summoned lefty Zach Britton to get the final three outs of a 2-1 game. Britton needed only 12 pitches to convert, registering his first career save. After the game, Showalter was noncommittal about the closer role going forward, complimenting Britton’s work but also offering high praise to Darren O’Day. It looks like this could develop into a committee, but for now, we’ll take the guy with the 95 mph sinker.
Updated hierarchy: Britton | O’Day | Hunter.
New York Mets – After several beat writers suggested that his repertoire would be perfect for the 9th inning, Jenrry Mejia was moved to the bullpen last week. But when the Mets transitioned to a closer by committee, Terry Collins named nearly everyone in the bullpen except Mejia as potential 9th inning options. However, an impressive appearance in Yankee Stadium seems to have changed Collins’s mind, and before Thursday’s game, he declared that Mejia would be his closer for the evening, emphasizing that the role would change on a nightly basis. (Someone different will likely be the closer tonight, as Mejia isn’t conditioned to pitch in back to back games yet, said Collins.) Still, this is a good development for the New York bullpen, as Mejia is one of the few pitchers back there — along with Jeurys Familia — who has good enough raw stuff to seize the 9th inning role for himself. On the merits of Collins’s comments yesterday, we’ll bump Mejia to the top of the hierarchy, with the understanding that this is still very much a committee.
Updated hierarchy: Mejia | Familia | Valverde
Chicago Cubs – The Cubs were trying to stay close to the Cardinals on Thursday afternoon, and sent Neil Ramirez to the mound in the 8th inning down by 2 runs. Ramirez responded by doing the same thing he’s done since being called up in late April — overwhelm hitters with 96 mph fastballs and hard sliders — and with the scoreless inning, the righty lowered his ERA to 1.08. Through 8.1 innings so far, Ramirez now has 13 strikeouts against just 2 walks, and seems poised to start collecting a few late-inning holds if the Cubs can ever manage to get a lead. (In less relevant Cubs news on Thursday, Jose Veras returned from the DL. Yippee.)
Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Grimm | Ramirez
Tampa Bay Rays – Summoned to protect a three-run lead, Grant Balfour walked the first two batters he faced (the 8 and 9 hitters) before allowing an RBI single. Balfour was then yanked by Joe Maddon, and watched from the clubhouse as Brad Boxberger gave up a walk off 3-run HR to Mike Trout. Balfour wasn’t happy about being removed, but the quick hook shows how little trust Maddon has in him at this point. Already on our Hot Seat, Balfour (15.1 IPs, 6.46 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 11 Ks, 14 BBs) is probably just one more blown save from losing his job — if he hasn’t done so already.
Hierarchy remains: Balfour | Peralta | McGee.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – See above.
2. Jeurys Familia/Jose Valverde, New York Mets – See above.
3. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – If Grant Balfour has indeed lost his job, Joel Peralta would likely take over.
4. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen is likely sharing save chances with our listed closer, Bryan Shaw.