Dale Thayer struggling; Jesse Crain, Francisco Cordero now setting up

May 31, 2012

San Diego Padres – Pitching in a tie game on Wednesday, Dale Thayer gave up a walk off home run to Darwin Barney.  In his last two outings, Thayer has given up 7 earned runs in just 1.2 innings.  Dale Thayer to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Thayer |Cashner |Gregerson |Street |5/31/12 |Street(DL) |

 
Chicago White Sox – Jesse Crain continues to dominate hitters, with a 1.26 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, and he picked up his second consecutive 8th inning hold last night.  Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to Set-up, Matt Thornton to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Crain |Thornton |Reed |5/31/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays – His ERA is still ugly due to some awful outings earlier in the year, but Francisco Cordero has been solid since being demoted from the closer role, holding the opposition scoreless in 10 out of 11 outings.  He pitched the 8th inning last night- setting up for Casey Janssen- his second such appearance in a row.  Hierarchy change: Francisco Cordero to Set-up, Jason Frasor to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Cordero |Frasor |Santos |5/31/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz arrived at the ballpark with a sore back yesterday and wasn’t able to pitch.  David Hernandez got the save in his place.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |5/31/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched in four straight games.
2. Jose Veras, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has pitched in four straight, and ace set-up man Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three straight. If the Brewers have a late lead, they’ll probably play match-ups, with Jose Veras having the best shot at nabbing the save.

Brian Fuentes blows first save; Jon Rauch re-establishes himself

Oakland A’s – Brian Fuentes allowed a walkoff 3-run HR last night in what was his first blown save since he was named closer two and a half weeks ago.  But while Fuentes has been decent in his role as the A’s stopper, the A’s set-up men have been better.  Former closer Grant Balfour has held opponents scoreless in 8 of his last 9 appearances.  Ryan Cook, meanwhile, gave up his first runs of the season the other day, but still sports a 0.75 ERA.  If Fuentes falters again, the A’s could start thinking about making a move.  Brian Fuentes to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Fuentes |Cook |Balfour |Cook |5/30/12

 
New York Mets – After getting knocked around a bit in the middle of May, Jon Rauch has settled down, allowing just one run in his last six appearances.  He pitched the 8th inning ahead of Frank Francisco yesterday; Bobby Parnell was used in the 7th.  Hierarchy change: Jon Rauch to Set-up, Bobby Parnell to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |5/30/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched in three straight games.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has pitched in three straight.
3. Sergio Romo/Clay Hensley, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has pitched in three straight.
4. Edward Mujica/Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched in two straight, and in four of the last five.
5. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri will get the majority of opportunities, but Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.
6. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has gotten all three save opportunities since Henry Rodriguez was demoted, but Davey Johnson has said that Sean Burnett could still get opportunities based on match-ups.

Casey Coleman a darkhorse for saves in Chicago

May 29, 2012

San Francisco Giants – While Javier Lopez has gotten a handful of saves this season when the Giants are facing lefty-heavy lineups, he wouldn’t likely inherit the full time job even if Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo were both hurt.  Instead, the role would likely go to Clay Hensley, who pitched a scoreless 8th inning ahead of Casilla on Monday.  Hierarchy change: Clay Hensley to 2nd in line, replacing Javier Lopez. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Hensley |Wilson |5/29/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs – Casey Coleman pitched a clean 9th inning for the Cubs on Monday.  While it was not a save opportunity– the Cubs were up by 4– Coleman was briefly mentioned by Dale Sveum over the weekend as someone who could be a 9th inning option.  While Sveum strongly endorsed James Russell and Shawn Camp for the role, Coleman could be a dark horse for saves.  Hierarchy change: Casey Coleman to 2nd in line, replacing Rafael Dolis. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Russell |Camp |Coleman |Marmol |5/29/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri will get the majority of opportunities, but Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.
2. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has gotten all three save opportunities since Henry Rodriguez was demoted, but Davey Johnson has said that Sean Burnett could still get opportunities based on match-ups.

James Russell, Shawn Camp to share closer role in Chicago

May 28, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels continue to employ a true platoon, with Scott Downs picking up the save last night against a lefty-heavy top of the lineup for the Mariners.  ”Right now, we’re going to just slot them in when they have a chance to get outs,” Mike Scioscia said to the Los Angeles Times.  As a righty, Ernesto Frieri still has the best shot to earn a save on any given night, but Downs has been just as reliable.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Walden |Walden |5/28/12 |Hawkins(DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs – Dale Sveum said before Sunday’s game that Rafael Dolis would be moved back to a middle relief role, and then followed through, using Dolis in the 6th inning.  Sveum said the Cubs would play match-ups in the 9th inning for the time being.  ”(James Russell) and (Shawn) Camp are our two viable options right now,” he said. Hierarchy change: James Russell to Closer, Shawn Camp to Set-up, Rafael Dolis to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Russell |Camp |Dolis |Marmol |5/28/12 |Marmol(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight games, and in five of the last six.
2. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in three straight games.
3. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has gotten all three save opportunities since Henry Rodriguez was demoted, but Davey Johnson continues to say that Sean Burnett could get opportunities based on match-ups.
4. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri will get the majority of opportunities, but Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.

Rafael Dolis removed from closer role, James Russell and Shawn Camp to share chances

Chicago Cubs – Dale Sveum told the Chicago Tribune before Sunday’s game that Rafael Dolis would be moved back to a middle relief role.  Sveum said that James Russell and Shawn Camp would share the closer role for now. Hierarchy change: James Russell to Closer, Shawn Camp to Set-up, Rafael Dolis to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Russell |Camp |Dolis |Marmol |5/27/12 |Marmol(DL) |