Chia: the ERA that grows!

September 10, 2013

Houston Astros — Chia-Jen Lo entered with a one-run lead in the seventh and exited with a one-run deficit. Lo has been pretty bad over the last three weeks (9 ER, 8 H, 7 BB, 7 K, 7.2 IP), and lefty Kevin Chapman — who earned the win with a clean eighth on Monday — has to have passed him for vice-president of the Astros’ putative closer committee. Josh Fields still holds the top job, although his latest save included a solo home run by former Sacramento Kings center Mariners shortstop Brad Miller. Hierarchy change: Kevin Chapman to Set-up, Chia-Jen Lo to 2nd in line.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOU Josh Fields Kevin Chapman Chia-Jen Lo Josh Fields 9/10/13

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Cincinnati Reds — Lefty Sean Marshall, on the DL since late May with shoulder trouble, will pitch a simulated game on Tuesday and could be back with the Reds this week. No hierarchy change.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CIN Aroldis Chapman J.J. Hoover Sam LeCure Jonathan Broxton 9/10/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Yoervis Medina, Seattle Mariners — Danny Farquhar has pitched in three of the last four games, including a 26-pitch blown save last night.
2. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez threw 27 pitches on Monday after 19 on Sunday.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins has thrown 22 pitches on consecutive days.

Frank Francisco returns, disappoints fans by not throwing any chairs

September 9, 2013

New York Mets – Frank Francisco, written off by the Mets earlier this year, actually got healthy enough to make a return to the bigs, just in time to try and prove to everyone that he can still get a few outs so he can get a new contract somewhere this offseason.  The Mets are likely determined to get at least a few innings out of the expensive, chair-throwing, would-be closer, and they actually sent him out in his first outing to get the last 2 outs of the 8th inning in a one run game.  With Gonzalez Germen struggling in recent weeks, Francisco might actually be the best bet for saves on nights when LaTroy Hawkins is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Frank Francisco to Set-up, Gonzalez Germen to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsFrank FranciscoGonzalez GermenBobby Parnell9/9/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Oakland A’s – The fantasy managers out there that picked up Brett Anderson two weeks ago (no one) have now gotten three saves out of the converted perfect gamer.  At this point, it doesn’t seem that outlandish to suggest that Anderson might get another long-relief save or two before the season ends, as the A’s might continue to use him in this fashion going forward.  In the deepest of leagues, he might be worth an add if you’re in a very tight race for saves.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook9/9/13

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Philadelphia Phillies – Despite his relative inexperience, we boldly decided to list B.J. Rosenberg as the Philadelphia set-up man last week, but then got timid after he was given five straight days off, promoting Jacob Diekman after Rosenberg was absent on several nights where an 8th-inning hold was available.  So, of course, with Jonathan Papelbon unavailable yesterday, it was Rosenberg who got the 9th inning vulture save chance.  He converted for his first major league save.  Stick to your guns next time, Monkey!  Hierarchy change: B.J. Rosenberg to Set-up, Jacob Diekman to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonB.J. RosenbergJacob DiekmanJonathan Papelbon9/9/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Kelley, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera threw two innings last night, while David Robertson and Boone Logan are dealing with lingering injuries. Shawn Kelley got the 8th on Sunday and pitched well, and could get the call tonight.
2. Luke Hochevar/Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has pitched in two straight, three of four, and six of eight. The overworked closer might get Monday off.
3. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in five of the last six.

Luke Hochevar: Crummy starter, ace reliever

September 8, 2013

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour threw 37 pitches in his Friday outing, so the A’s went to Sean Doolittle in the 9th on Saturday, and the lefty picked up his first save.  Doolittle continues to share the 8th inning role with Ryan Cook.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook9/8/13

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Philadelphia Phillies – Jacob Diekman finished the 8th inning ahead of Jonathan Papelbon on Saturday.  After a tough stretch in late July and early August, the lefty has only allowed one run in his last 11.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Jacob Diekman to Set-up, B.J. Rosenberg to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonJacob DiekmanB.J. RosenbergJonathan Papelbon9/4/13

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Kansas City Royals – Luke Hochevar got the call in the 7th inning yesterday, and stayed on to finish off the 8th.  In recent weeks, the converted starter has seized control of the 8th-inning job in Kansas City, as he’s been more consistent than Kelvin Herrera.  Also seeing late-game innings lately for the Royals is Will Smith, who picked up his 4th hold yesterday, but the lefty hasn’t cracked our hierarchy yet.  Hierarchy change: Luke Hochevar to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandLuke HochevarKelvin HerreraGreg Holland9/8/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman pitched in four straight games from Tuesday to Friday, and might need a second day off today to recover.
2. Jacob Diekman, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in back to back games and three of four, and blew a save yesterday afternoon.  He might get the day off today.

David Robertson hurting, Carter Capps gets the call in late innings

September 7, 2013

New York Yankees – The Yankees bullpen gave up 9 runs in a loss last night.  More bad news for the Yankees as David Robertson is expected to miss 5-6 days with a sore shoulder.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonBoone LoganDavid Robertson9/7/13

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Seattle Mariners – Carter Capps got the call in the 8th inning last night with the Mariners protecting a one run lead.  Capps ended up giving up the game tying run but prior to last night he had a 7.2 inning scoreless streak.   The young hard throwing righty has the stuff to close and should continue to be used in the later innings for the Mariners.  Hierarchy change: Carter Capps to 2nd in line, replacing Charlie Furbush.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharYoervis MedinaCarter CappsDanny Farquhar9/7/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in four straight.

Craig Breslow continues to impress; Josh Fields more than just a cursory “closer”

September 6, 2013

Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa had a terrible outing on Thursday, allowing two inherited runners to score and then giving up two more runs of his own.  Craig Breslow, meanwhile, logged two spotless innings and picked up the win.  Breslow had basically been splitting the 8th inning role with Tazawa — the lefty got the 8th inning hold on Monday — and after last night, he stands to get a larger share of the big late-game innings.  Hierarchy change: Craig Breslow to Set-up, Junichi Tazawa to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaCraig BreslowJunichi TazawaKoji Uehara9/6/13

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Houston Astros – Josh Fields picked up a four-out save on Thursday night.  Though we’ve listed him as our “closer” for the past month, regular readers of this page know that he’s rarely been actually used in that fashion — there was just no one else who was pitching well enough to be promoted on our hierarchy, so Fields remained at the top of the pecking order by default.  Given the general ineptitude displayed by almost everyone else given a crack at the 9th, however, the Astros finally turned back to Fields, and the righty delivered.  Last night’s successful outing will probably earn him the chance to take the job and run with it.  No hierarchy change. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/6/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in three straight.
2. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera has pitched in three straight.