April 9, 2013
St. Louis Cardinals – Mitchell Boggs had what he described as “the worst outing of my career” on Monday, as he turned a tie game into an eventual 9-run loss for the Cardinals. Skipper Mike Matheny suggested after the game that Boggs, despite also blowing a save last week, would still be his closer, but it might not be for long. Edward Mujica may get a shot to close games, as could youngster Trevor Rosenthal, who has been pitching the 8th inning (albeit poorly) for the past week. Hierarchy change: Trevor Rosenthal to 2nd in line, replacing Mark Rzepczynski. Mitchell Boggs to Hot Seat.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Boggs |Mujica |Rzepczynski |Motte |4/9/13 |Motte(DL) |
Texas Rangers – Before the season, Ron Washington tabbed Robbie Ross and Michael Kirkman as his set-up men. Ross has been solid, but thus far, Kirkman is sporting a 13.50 ERA and has mostly been used as a match-up guy. Hard-throwing righty Tanner Scheppers has been the one throwing meaningful innings for the Rangers, and he hasn’t allowed a run through 4.2 innings thus far. Hierarchy change: Tanner Scheppers to 2nd in line, replacing Michael Kirkman.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Ross |Scheppers |Nathan |4/9/13
Kansas City Royals – Aaron Crow picked up a save on Monday, pitching a clean 9th inning. Greg Holland and Kelvin Herrera had both pitched on back to back days and three of the past four, and were both getting a night off. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Herrera |Crow |Holland |4/9/13
Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford got a vote of confidence from manager Ron Roenicke after a rough outing on Wednesday, but after taking the loss in an extra-inning game over the weekend, it appears that Roenicke is ready to make a move. In a save situation this afternoon against the Cubs, it was Jim Henderson who emerged from the Milwaukee bullpen, not Axford. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had speculated on such a move Monday morning, and Henderson got the job done, striking out two while only allowing one hit. Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Closer, John Axford to Set-up.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Gonzalez |Axford |4/8/13
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Robbie Ross/Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
2. John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson has pitched in two in a row, throwing 30 pitches last night.
