Junichi Tazawa continues to impress

September 15, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Up by a run in the 7th inning, the Red Sox turned to Junichi Tazawa, who pitched a scoreless inning.  Tazawa, who has a 1.47 ERA on the year, is earning the trust of Bobby Valentine and is being used in tight, late-game situations more frequently.  Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to 2nd in line, replacing Alfredo Aceves.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Padilla |Tazawa |Bailey |9/15/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman’s fatigued arm means Jonathan Broxton should see the majority of Cincinnati save chances over the next week or so.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Aumont takes over the 8th in Philly

September 14, 2012

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies went back to Phillippe Aumont yet again in a close 8th inning, this time after Antonio Bastardo had already pitched the 7th. Although Aumont struggled with his control and was tagged with the loss, all three runs were scored after he was relieved with two outs in favor of lefty Jake Diekman. All signs point to Aumont’s ascension in the Philadelphia pen. Hierarchy change: Phillippe Aumont to Set-up, Antonio Bastardo to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Aumont |Bastardo |Papelbon |9/14/12

 
Texas Rangers – On his third straight night of work, Joe Nathan was horrid, giving up three runs on four hits and blowing the save before being replaced by Koji Uehara. Nathan’s team-record 31 straight converted save chances have earned him some good will.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Ogando |Adams |Nathan |9/14/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers – As noted, Joe Nathan has pitched in three straight games for the Rangers, culminating in a blown save on Thursday night.
2. Pedro Strop, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has thrown over 20 pitches on two straight days and Strop got last night off.

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.