June 26, 2013
Los Angeles Dodgers — As predicted, the Dodgers gave Kenley Jansen the night off and went to Brandon League with a three-run lead in the ninth — but League gave up three straight hits to quickly make it a one-run game. Paco Rodriguez took over and allowed another single before retiring the next three hitters to earn his first career save. This outing will almost certainly end League’s reign of terror in late/close situations; Don Mattingly says he will use League in easier spots until and unless he improves. Hierarchy change: Paco Rodriguez to Set-Up, Ronald Belisario to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| LAD | Kenley Jansen | Paco Rodriguez | Ronald Belisario | Kenley Jansen | 6/26/13 |
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Chicago Cubs — 23 revelers were arrested Tuesday in Wrigleyville; we assume their riotous celebration was inspired by early word of Carlos Marmol’s demotion. With James Russell still the only lefty in the Cubs pen and Dale Sveum loath to use him in the ninth, we’re ready to predict that Blake Parker — with seven saves at AAA Iowa and great numbers in eight June appearances with the big club — takes on a larger role. Hierarchy change: Blake Parker to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CHC | Kevin Gregg | Blake Parker | James Russell | Kevin Gregg | 6/26/13 |
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Los Angeles Angels — Garrett Richards has not collected a hold in the month of June, and he’s allowed eight earned runs over his last five outings (10.1 IP). Scott Downs has 14 holds and saved nine games for the Angels last year; he’s been facing more than just lefties too, although his splits against right-handed hitters are unimpressive. Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to 2nd in line, replacing Garrett Richards.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| LAA | Ernesto Frieri | Kevin Jepsen | Scott Downs | Ernesto Frieri | 6/26/13 | |||||
| Ryan Madson (DL) |
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Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera was sent to Omaha on Tuesday; fans of the mercurial righthander are advised to turn their tickets in and get their money back at the door. Ned Yost says that Herrera will pitch in a starting role at the AAA club, in the hope that he can “slow the game down” and start threading the needle again with all of his pitches. Yost added that Herrera’s eighth-inning role, truly the heart of matters, would be filled by Aaron Crow and lefty Tim Collins going forward. Hierarchy change: Tim Collins to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| KC | Greg Holland | Aaron Crow | Tim Collins | Greg Holland | 6/26/13 |
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Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez pitched a scoreless fourth inning for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday night, and a return to the Indians should follow very shortly. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CLE | Vinnie Pestano | Joe Smith | Cody Allen | Chris Perez | 6/26/13 | |||||
| Chris Perez (DL) |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tommy Hunter/Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight games, throwing 23 pitches in each of them.
