Joba rules the 7th once more; League edges ahead in Los Angeles

September 13, 2012

New York Yankees – For the second straight night, Boone Logan entered in the 7th and failed to retire the hitter he was summoned to face — and for the second straight night, it was Joba Chamberlain who relieved him and finished the inning. Hierarchy change: Joba Chamberlain to 2nd in line, replacing Boone Logan.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Robertson |Chamberlain |Robertson |9/13/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Ronald Belisario pitched the 8th inning with the Dodgers down a run last night. Although Don Mattingly has yet to commit to Brandon League as the interim closer, League’s experience seems to have given him the edge in the platoon. Hierarchy change: Brandon League to Closer, Ronald Belisario to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |League |Belisario |Guerrier |Jansen |9/13/12 |Jansen(INJ) |

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – With J.J. Putz out with an ailing back, David Hernandez picked up his second straight save. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Ziegler |Putz |9/13/12

 
Oakland A’s – As expected, Grant Balfour got the night off after three straight games of work, and it was Ryan Cook summoned for a one-out save. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Doolittle |Cook |9/13/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – Jonathan Broxton had pitched in four of the past five games, so the Reds used young J.J. Hoover in a one-run ninth. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |9/13/12

 
Washington Nationals – Drew Storen nabbed his second save last night, as we predicted, while Tyler Clippard enjoyed a restful evening. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Storen |Burnett |Storen |9/13/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in two straight games and three of the last four, and Philippe Aumont pitched the 8th last night.
2. Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – Two straight outings for Tom Wilhelmsen could give Furbush an opportunity on Thursday.

Jonathan Broxton to see a few save chances with Aroldis Chapman sidelined

September 12, 2012

Cincinnati Reds – After Aroldis Chapman’s last outing, when even his best fastball was clocked several miles per hour slower than it had been all year, the Reds became concerned that the flame throwing lefty may be injured. Fortunately, a scan revealed nothing serious, but Chapman will likely be shut down for a week or so to recover. Jonathan Broxton should see save opportunities in his place over the next few days; he picked up his first National League save of the year on Tuesday. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |9/12/12

 
Philadelphia Phillies – Phillippe Aumont pitched the 8th inning ahead of Jonathan Papelbon for the second time this week. Aumont, a 23-year-old prospect who was closing for the Phillies in AAA also picked up a save last week, and may get another chance or two down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Phillippe Aumont to 2nd in line, replacing Josh Lindblom.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Bastardo |Aumont |Papelbon |9/12/12

 
Houston Astros – Jose Valdez pitched a perfect 8th inning ahead of Wilton Lopez on Tuesday, earning his second hold of the season.  Valdez, a hard-throwing righty, was closing for Houston’s AAA team, where he amassed 66 Ks in 48.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Jose Valdez to 2nd in line, replacing Fernando Rodriguez.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Lopez |Wright |Valdez |Lopez |9/12/12

 
Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour got into trouble in the 9th inning on Tuesday, and Jerry Blevins bailed him out for his first save of the season.  Balfour has been pitching well since returning to the closer role and it’s unlikely that his job is in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Doolittle |Cook |9/12/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman is likely to be sidelined for a week while he regains his arm strength, and Jonathan Broxton should see the majority of save chances in the interim.
2. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has pitched in three straight games.
3. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.  Storen has also appeared in each of those same games, but has thrown far fewer pitches.
4. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League is sharing save chances with Ronald Belisario.
5. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Antonio Bastardo picks up first save of the year

September 11, 2012

Philadelphia Phillies – Antonio Bastardo picked up his first save of the season on Monday.  As mentioned in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Jonathan Papelbon had pitched in both games of Sunday’s doubleheader.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Bastardo |Lindblom |Papelbon |9/11/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
2. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League is sharing save chances with Ronald Belisario.
3. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Peter Moylan picks up a random save

September 10, 2012

Atlanta Braves – Peter Moylan picked up his first save of the season in a 10-inning game on Sunday.  Craig Kimbrel and Eric O’Flaherty had already been used earlier on.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedATL |Kimbrel |O'Flaherty |Durbin |Kimbrel |9/10/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon pitched in both games of yesterday’s doubleheader.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Brandon League sharing closer duties in Los Angeles

September 9, 2012

Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League on Saturday picked up his second save since joining the Dodgers, pitching a clean 9th inning.  League, who altered his delivery after joining Los Angeles, has been pitching spectacularly lately, and is sharing opportunities with Ronald Belisario until Kenley Jansen returns in about two weeks.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Belisario |League |Guerrier |Jansen |9/9/12 |Jansen(INJ) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brett Myers, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has racked up a lot of pitches thrown in the last few days, having pitched twice in a row and in three of the last four.
2. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League is sharing save chances with Ronald Belisario.
3. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.