David Carpenter pitching well for Braves

September 15, 2013

Atlanta Braves — One night after Jordan Walden blew an 8th inning lead, the Braves went to David Carpenter ahead of Craig Kimbrel.  Jordan Walden has been battling injuries while David Carpenter lowered his ERA to 1.95 with last night’s outing.  Hierarchy change: David Carpenter to Set-up, Jordan Walden to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelDavid CarpenterJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel9/15/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Frank Francisco, New York Mets — LaTroy Hawkins has pitched in two straight and three of the past four.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour got the save last night but has a tired arm so Doolittle or Cook could be used tonight.

Sean Doolittle picks up save, Jason Grilli struggling

September 14, 2013

Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook came on with 2 outs in the 8th inning last night and proceeded to give up a walk and two hits while recording no outs.  Sean Doolittle got the last out of the 8th and stayed on for the 9th to pick up his 2nd save of the season.  Grant Balfour admitted recently that his arm is tired so Doolittle and Cook could see a few more save chances down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Sean Doolittle to Set-up,  Ryan Cook to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourSean DoolittleRyan CookRyan Cook9/14/13

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Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli blew a one run lead in the 7th inning last night.  He has now given up at least one run in his last three appearances and if he continues to pitch like this, Mark Melancon should continue as closer for the rest of the season. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconJason GrilliKyle FarnsworthJason Grilli9/14/13

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Boston Red Sox – Although it wasn’t a save opportunity on Friday night, the Red Sox used Koji Uehara in the 9th.  All Uehara did was pitch another perfect inning, and he has now gotten out the last 37 batters he has faced.  The MLB record for most consecutive perfect innings is 15.0 and now Uehara is three perfect innings away from breaking that record.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaCraig BreslowJunichi TazawaKoji Uehara9/14/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has a tired arm so Doolittle or Cook could be used on any night.

Brian Wilson continues to be effective since his return

September 13, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers – Six days ago, Brian Wilson allowed a walk, a stolen base, and a single in the 10th inning of a tied game against the Reds, counting for the only run he’s allowed since returning to the big leagues.  Last night, Wilson was on the better end of it, pitching a scoreless 10th after a Kenley Jansen blown save and earning the win when the Dodgers walked off.  Wilson now sports a 1.17 ERA, and though he hasn’t been getting used in any big set-up spots yet, we anticipate that this might be a scenario where a non-8th-inning guy jumps the set-up men to close.  Paco Rodriguez and Ronald Belisario continue to competently share that set-up role, but if Jansen goes down, Wilson’s experience makes him the best bet for saves.  Hierarchy change: Brian Wilson to Set-up, Paco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenBrian WilsonPaco RodriguezKenley Jansen9/13/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Robertson/Shawn Kelley, New York Yankees – Despite a heavy workload, Mariano Rivera pitched yet again yesterday; he’s now at 5.1 innings and 84 pitches over the last five days.  David Robertson recently returned from injury and has pitched in back to back games.  If he’s not ready to go three straight yet, Shawn Kelley might be the man who gets the save chance tonight.

Josh Zeid, David Hernandez rising

September 12, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates – Kyle Farnsworth picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday, on a night when Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli were unavailable.  Farnsworth would have been far from our first choice, as the 37-year-old righty was out of a job just a few weeks ago.  But his usage yesterday suggests Clint Hurdle will value his 9th inning experience on nights where his top two relievers can’t pitch.  Hierarchy change: Kyle Farnsworth to 2nd in line, replacing Tony Watson.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconJason GrilliKyle FarnsworthJason Grilli9/12/13

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Houston Astros – The ever-in-flux Astros bullpen went to Josh Zeid for the last out of the 8th inning on Wednesday, and then left him out there for the 9th, where he picked up his first career save.  After a rough stretch in August, Zeid has only allowed four earned runs in his last 13 innings, which is good enough for a prominent role in Houston.  Hierarchy change: Josh Zeid to Set-up, Kevin Chapman to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsJosh ZeidKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/12/13

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San Francisco Giants – With Sergio Romo unavailable, Santiago Casilla got the save in his absence, as mentioned in the Vulture Save Watch.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoSantiago CasillaJavier LopezSergio Romo9/12/13

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New York Yankees – David Robertson returned to action yesterday, pitching the 8th inning and picking up a win.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to Set-up, Shawn Kelley to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonShawn KelleyDavid Robertson9/12/13
Boone Logan (INJ)

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Arizona Diamondbacks – David Hernandez, who returned earlier this month after being sidelined for much of August, pitched the 8th inning ahead of Brad Ziegler on Wednesday.  With five scoreless outings since his return, Hernandez stands to see more high-leverage innings.  Hierarchy change: David Hernandez to Set-up, Heath Bell to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerDavid HernandezHeath BellJ.J. Putz9/12/13
J.J. Putz (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera has pitched in back to back games and three of four, throwing a total of 4.1 innings and 74 pitches.

More injuries in the Bronx

September 11, 2013

New York Yankees — David Robertson could return from his right shoulder tendinitis within the next few days, but it might be a few days longer for Boone Logan, who needed a cortisone shot in his left elbow over the weekend. Without their top set-up guys, New York is relying on Shawn Kelley and Adam Warren, and summoning Mariano Rivera for multi-inning save chances whenever necessary. Hierarchy change: Shawn Kelley to Set-up, Adam Warren to 2nd in line, David Robertson and Boone Logan injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraShawn KelleyAdam WarrenDavid Robertson9/11/13
David Robertson (INJ)Boone Logan (INJ)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Santiago Casilla, San Francisco Giants — Sergio Romo took the loss last night and has pitched in three straight games.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in three straight games.
3. Jason Grilli/Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon had an unusual two-run outing on Tuesday: two strikeouts, then four straight singles before a final strikeout. Because he needed 30 pitches on his second straight day of work, he might get Wednesday off.