August 7, 2013
Houston Astros — On Tuesday night, Jose Cisnero entered the game with two on and one out in the sixth inning, his team trailing by three — a vitally important spot in the game. Unfortunately for Cisnero and the Astros, he immediately surrendered a three-run homer, then scattered three walks and a solo shot among three retired batters. The Astros are still closing by committee, but we have to acknowledge that Josh Fields has the best shot at the next save opportunity, with Chia-Jen Lo also moving in front of the struggling Cisnero. Hierarchy change: Josh Fields to Closer, Chia-Jen Lo to Set-up, Jose Cisnero to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| HOU | Josh Fields | Chia-Jen Lo | Jose Cisnero | Josh Fields | 8/7/13 |
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New York Mets — Although LaTroy Hawkins is best-positioned to pick up saves in Bobby Parnell’s absence, Terry Collins plans to use a committee of sorts, which will apparently include every reliever on the team except Scott Atchison. The lefty most likely to pick up a matchup-based save is Scott Rice. Hierarchy change: Scott Rice to 2nd in line, replacing Scott Atchison.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| NYM | LaTroy Hawkins | David Aardsma | Scott Rice | Bobby Parnell | 8/7/13 | |||||
| Bobby Parnell (DL) |
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Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri’s struggles continue, this time to the tune of four straight two-out singles that turned a two-run deficit into a five-run hole. The Hot Seat in Anaheim blazes on, with 2-13 Joe Blanton somehow the Angels’ most effective reliever over the past two weeks. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| LAA | Ernesto Frieri | Dane de la Rosa | Kevin Jepsen | Ernesto Frieri | 8/7/13 |
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Cincinnati Reds — While J.J. Hoover has picked up three high-leverage eighth-inning holds over the past nine days, Sam LeCure has been consistently used with the team behind, including in a four-run, five-hit debacle on Sunday. Hierarchy change: J.J. Hoover to Set-up, replacing Sam LeCure.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CIN | Aroldis Chapman | J.J. Hoover | Manny Parra | Jonathan Broxton | 8/7/13 | |||||
| Jonathan Broxton (DL) |
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Seattle Mariners — Tom Wilhelmsen was sent down to AAA Tacoma on Tuesday, and should no longer be considered the favorite to close in Seattle next season. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| SEA | Danny Farquhar | Oliver Perez | Yoervis Medina | Danny Farquhar | 8/7/13 |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Justin De Fratus, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in three of four games, and threw 30 pitches on Tuesday, in a three-run outing complicated by a Domonic Brown error.
2. John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers — Jim Henderson got a four-out save on Tuesday and Brandon Kintzler has thrown on three straight days.
