Scott Atchison quietly compiling a brilliant season

June 17, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Toiling in what’s generally been a mop-up role for much of the season, Scott Atchison has been nothing short of brilliant, pitching 35.1 innings– the most of anyone in the Red Sox bullpen– and compiling a 1.27 ERA in the process.  On Saturday, he earned his third hold of the season, finishing off the 7th inning, and it appears the Red Sox are finally ready to start using him in meaningful spots.  Hierarchy change: Scott Atchison to 2nd in line, replacing Andrew Miller.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Padilla |Atchison |Bailey |6/17/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
Cleveland Indians – Nick Hagadone’s ERA rose to 4.98 after he got knocked around by the Pirates on Saturday.  After Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano, the Indians bullpen has been shaky.  Only Joe Smith has been reliable in recent weeks, as he’s only allowed 1 run in his past 7.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to 2nd in line, replacing Nick Hagadone.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |Smith |C.Perez |6/17/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 6 of the last 9 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.

Carlos Marmol wins closer job back; Koji Uehara injured

June 16, 2012

Texas Rangers – The Rangers placed Koji Uehara on the disabled list yesterday.  Young lefty Robbie Ross is having an outstanding season and is the most likely candidate to inherit the 7th inning role.  Hierarchy change: Robbie Ross to 2nd in line, Koji Uehara to DL.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Adams |Ross |Nathan |6/16/12 |Uehara(DL) |

 
Oakland A’s – Evan Scribner earned a 3-inning save on Friday.  He does not factor in to the A’s normal late inning plans.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Fuentes |Cook |6/16/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Aaron Crow pitched the 8th inning on Friday, three days after being summoned in a close game in the 7th.  After Jonathon Broxton and Greg Holland, the Royals bullpen is pretty fluid, with Crow, Kelvin Herrera, and Tim Collins all being used in the 6th and 7th innings.  But recently, it’s been Crow who has seen the majority of the late-innings work.  Hierarchy change: Aaron Crow to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |6/16/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol on Friday got his first save since returning from the minors, and Dale Sveum said after the game that Marmol was his closer again. Marmol is immediately on the Hot Seat, as it’s easy to picture Sveum yanking him out of the role again if he blows his next couple opportunities (and his save on Friday was far from smooth).  But he’ll see the majority of save chances going forward. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to Closer, James Russell to Set-up, Shawn Camp to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Russell |Camp |Marmol |6/15/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in three games in a row.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has pitched in three straight.
3. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 6 of the last 9 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.

Carlos Marmol reinstated as closer for the Cubs

June 15, 2012

Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol got his first save since returning from the minors this afternoon, and he told WGN after the game that he was back in the closer’s role.  He’s immediately on the Hot Seat, as it’s easy to picture Dale Sveum yanking him out of the role again if he blows his next couple opportunities (and his save today was far from smooth).  But he’ll see the majority of save chances going forward.  Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to Closer, James Russell to Set-up, Shawn Camp to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Russell |Camp |Marmol |6/15/12

John Axford struggling; David Robertson returns

June 15, 2012

St. Louis Cardinals – Victor Marte pitched parts of the 7th and 8th innings on Thursday, earning his 9th hold of the season.  While Mark Rzepczynski generally pitches later in games than Marte, he’s struggled as of late and would likely remain in a specialist role even if Jason Motte and Mitchell Boggs both suffer injuries.  Hierarchy change: Victor Marte to 2nd in line, replacing Mark Rzepczynski. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Marte |Motte |6/15/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford blew his second save in two days on Thursday, and has seen his ERA jump to 5.55 after giving up 7 runs in his last three outings.  He would be in more danger if the Brewers had any lights-out middle relievers, but Francisco Rodriguez- the only real threat to Axford’s job- is also having a mediocre season.  Still, if Axford continues to pitch poorly, the Brewers might have to look elsewhere.  John Axford to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |6/15/12

 
New York Yankees – The Yankees activated David Robertson from the DL on Thursday.  Robertson is expected to return to a set-up role, but could challenge for the closer job if Rafael Soriano struggles.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to Set-up, Boone Logan to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Robertson |Logan |Robertson |6/15/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has registered 2 saves for the Cubs since the demotion of Rafael Dolis; Camp has gotten the other.  Matchups will likely determine who is used in the 9th today.
2. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 5 of the last 8 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.
3. Jose Veras, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has blown saves on back to back days, throwing 47 pitches in the process, and might be given a day off.  Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three in a row, and five of the last six, making Jose Veras the most likely candidate for a save opp.

Luke Gregerson moves to set-up role in San Diego

June 14, 2012

Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee pitched a perfect inning in a losing effort on Wednesday, lowering his ERA to 1.69.  JP Howell, meanwhile, has not rediscovered the velocity that made him such a dynamic reliever two years ago and has struggled, particularly in recent weeks.  Hierarchy change: Jake McGee to 2nd in line, replacing JP Howell. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |McGee |Farnsworth |6/14/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
San Diego Padres – Luke Gregerson picked up the 8th inning hold for the second straight day on Wednesday.  Dale Thayer, who flamed out spectacularly as the fill-in closer just as Huston Street was returning from the DL, has been used minimally since.  Hierarchy change: Luke Gregerson to Set-up, Dale Thayer to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Street |Gregerson |Thayer |Street |6/9/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has registered 2 saves for the Cubs since the demotion of Rafael Dolis; Camp has gotten the other.  Matchups will likely determine who is used in the 9th today.