Alfredo Aceves has terrible outing; Giants closer role still muddled

August 24, 2012

Colorado Rockies – Matt Belisle picked up the save on Thursday, as Rafael Betancourt was given the night off after pitching in three of the previous four games.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Belisle |Brothers |Betancourt |8/24/12

 
San Francisco Giants – The Giants used three relievers to get through the 9th inning on Thursday, and Sergio Romo was the last, as he picked up a two-out save after Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez had both pitched.  Affeldt had a bad outing, failing to retire either hitter he faced.  He remains on the Hot Seat, and there’s no prohibitive favorite to get saves in the Giants bullpen on any given night any more.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/24/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves had one of his worst outings of the season yesterday, surrendering 5 runs in one inning.  He now has a 4.60 ERA, and with Andrew Bailey looming, another blown save or two could cost him his job.  Alfredo Aceves to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Bailey |Padilla |Bailey |8/24/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in three consecutive games, including a marathon 43-pitch inning last night.  He’ll need at least one day off to recover.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

John Axford back in as closer; Brad Ziegler, Tom Layne rising

August 23, 2012

Arizona Diamondbacks – Brad Ziegler finished off the 7th inning in the first game of Arizona’s doubleheader on Wednesday, earning his 9th hold of the year.  Ziegler is having a solid season, and with 19 career saves, he has some experience as a closer.  He could get an odd save chance on nights when JJ Putz and David Hernandez are not available.  Hierarchy change: Brad Ziegler to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Albers.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Ziegler |Putz |8/23/12

 
San Diego Padres – Tom Layne, who coming into the game had 3.1 career major league innings, picked up the save on Wednesday, throwing a perfect 9th inning with the Padres up by 2 runs.  After blowing a save on Tuesday, Dale Thayer was given the night off, but Layne suddenly becomes a pitcher to watch in San Diego.  Hierarchy change: Tom Layne to 2nd in line, replacing Brad Brach.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Thayer |Gregerson |Layne |Street |8/23/12 |Street(DL) |

 
(UPDATED 8/22 6:15 PM EDT) Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has apparently regained his job as Milwaukee closer, striking out three of the four Cubs he faced in today’s ninth. “He came in and talked to me,” Roenicke said. “I don’t want to say what went on, but he’s in a place where he should be.”  Brewers fans will be forgiven for wondering just how long he can stay there. Hierarchy change: John Axford to Closer, Jim Henderson to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Loe |Axford |8/22/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight, and five of the last six.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Axford back atop the revolving Brewers bullpen

August 22, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has apparently regained his job as Milwaukee closer, striking out three of the four Cubs he faced in today’s ninth. “He came in and talked to me,” Roenicke said. “I don’t want to say what went on, but he’s in a place where he should be.”  Brewers fans will be forgiven for wondering just how long he can stay there. Hierarchy change: John Axford to Closer, Jim Henderson to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Loe |Axford |8/22/12

Dale Thayer shaky; random saves for Axford, Luetge, Lopez

August 22, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford earned a one-out save on Tuesday, as the Brewers used three relievers- Axford, Jim Henderson, and Manny Parra- to get through the 9th inning.  Milwaukee’s big messy committee forges on, with Henderson still the most likely to get the save on any given night.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Loe |Axford |8/22/12

 
Seattle Mariners – Lucas Luetge got out of a jam in the 8th inning on Tuesday, then stayed on for the 9th in a four-run game.  Luetge earned his 2nd save of the season because there were several runners on when he was summoned in the 8th– Tom Wilhelmsen’s job remains extremely safe.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Furbush |Luetge |Wilhelmsen |8/22/12

 
San Diego Padres – Dale Thayer blew the save last night, and has now allowed runs in 2 of his 4 appearances since Huston Street hit the disabled list.  If he blows another game, the Padres might give Luke Gregerson a shot at closing until Street returns.  Dale Thayer to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Thayer |Gregerson |Brach |Street |8/22/12 |Street(DL) |

 
San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez picked up his second save in as many days, as the Giants again used him and Sergio Romo to get through the 9th.  Jeremy Affeldt was warming in the bullpen and likely would’ve been summoned had Lopez not induced a double play to end the game.  With the Giants still using a committee, any one of these three could get a save on any given night, though Affeldt remains the best bet.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/22/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched in three straight games.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Giants continue to use committee; Charlie Furbush climbing in Seattle

August 21, 2012

Seattle Mariners – Charlie Furbush, who came off the DL last week, pitched the 7th inning in a tie game on Monday, then stayed on for the 8th after the Mariners took the lead.  Seattle has struggled to find a consistent 8th inning man ahead of Tom Wilhelmsen, but Furbush could become that guy.  When healthy, he’s been very solid, posting a 2.03 ERA and 0.78 WHIP.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to Set-up, Lucas Luetge to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Furbush |Luetge |Wilhelmsen |8/21/12

 
San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez picked up a one-out save on Monday after Sergio Romo got the first two outs in the 9th.  The Giants continue to use a closer-by-committee, with Jeremy Affeldt still the most likely candidate to get a save on any given night.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/21/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.