Brett Anderson: Master of the 3-inning save

September 5, 2013

Houston Astros – The Astros are attempting to have every player in their bullpen blow a 9th inning lead at some point, and last night, it was long man Erik Bedard’s turn.  Bedard, who ended up getting the win after Houston rallied in the bottom half, isn’t likely to see many save opps going forward as he’ll usually be pitching multiple innings at a time.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/5/13

.
Oakland A’s – Brett Anderson picked up a three-inning save in a blowout yesterday.  Though he’s now picked up two long-relief saves in the past seven days, he doesn’t factor in to the usual late-inning plans in Oakland.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook9/5/13

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera has pitched in back to back games, including a 1.1-inning effort yesterday.

Jason Grilli back with Pittsburgh; Jordan Walden out another week

September 4, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates — Nearly eight years ago, Jason Grilli pitched 7.2 solid innings to lead the Toledo Mud Hens to their first AAA championship in 38 years. But his dream of recapturing Governors’ Cup glory was put on hold today when Pittsburgh summoned him to the big leagues for some boring old regular season action. Clint Hurdle confirmed that he will use Grilli in some non-save situations before transitioning him back into the closer role. Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up, Tony Watson to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconJason GrilliTony WatsonJason Grilli9/4/13

.

Atlanta Braves — Jordan Walden hasn’t pitched in two weeks, and after a five-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday, word is he’ll be out at least another week. Luis Ayala and Scott Downs are each getting a lot of late-inning work, but we think Ayala, as a righty, will be slightly more likely to grab any super-vulture saves down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Luis Ayala to 2nd in line, Jordan Walden to Set-up (INJ).

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelLuis AvilanLuis AyalaCraig Kimbrel9/4/13
Jordan Walden (INJ)

.

Philadelphia Phillies — After two straight poor outings, Justin De Fratus came on in the fifth inning of Tuesday’s loss to Washington. B.J. Rosenberg, who finished Tuesday’s game, has 10 straight scoreless appearances since coming up in mid-August, and several have come in close eighth innings. Hierarchy change: B.J. Rosenberg to Set-up, replacing Justin De Fratus.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonB.J. RosenbergJacob DiekmanJonathan Papelbon9/4/13

.

Cleveland Indians — On a night where Chris Perez gave up a three-run homer and barely held on for the victory, it was Cody Allen, not Bryan Shaw, who pitched the seventh in front of Joe Smith. Shaw has been pitching as early as the fifth inning in recent days. In other news, Vinnie Pestano was recalled from Columbus on Tuesday and could also get a shot at some high-leverage innings down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Cody Allen to 2nd in line, replacing Bryan Shaw.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez9/4/13

.

Houston Astros — The one positive story in Houston’s bullpen — Kevin Chapman beginning his career with a streak of no earned runs in 13 appearances — came to its eventual end on Tuesday night. As a competent lefty, Chapman likely has several good seasons ahead of him. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/4/13

.

Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins got within one out of collecting his 33rd save, but then put two men on and gave up a game-tying home run. Josh Roenicke eventually picked up the twelfth-inning save. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins9/4/13

.

Los Angeles Dodgers — With Kenley Jansen indeed unavailable on Tuesday, Don Mattingly used Paco Rodriguez up two in the eighth, presumably holding Ronald Belisario or Brian Wilson back for a save situation. When Rodriguez gave up a homer and a walk, Belisario entered and escaped further trouble — then stayed on for the ninth after LA’s lead grew to four. But Belisario gave up a run and put another guy on, so it was young Chris Withrow who got the call for his first major league save. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezBrian WilsonKenley Jansen9/4/13

.

Tampa Bay Rays — Starter Roberto Hernandez picked up the first save of his eight-year major league career with 3.2 scoreless innings in a 7-1 win. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney9/4/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has three saves in the last three days.
2. Matt Belisle, Colorado Rockies — Rex Brothers needed 30 pitches to get through the ninth on Tuesday, after throwing 21 on Sunday.

Melancon could remain Pirates closer even after Grilli’s return

September 3, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon’s outstanding performance as the Bucs’ interim closer could give Clint Hurdle the luxury of easing Jason Grilli back into high-leverage use. Grilli struck out the side in his Monday rehab appearance with the Altoona Curve; he’s expected to make one last rehab appearance on Wednesday for AAA playoff team Indianapolis, unless the big club calls him up first. Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up (DL).

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconTony WatsonJustin WilsonJason Grilli9/3/13
Jason Grilli (DL)

.

Toronto Blue Jays — Steve Delabar returned from the disabled list after almost a month and jumped right back into the eighth inning, earning a hold on Monday. Toronto has been leaning on Sergio Santos more than Brett Cecil over the past two weeks, so Santos keeps his slot at #3 for the Jays. Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to Set-up, replacing Brett Cecil.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarSergio SantosSergio Santos9/3/13

.

Houston Astros — If you’re still chasing saves right now, you’re probably in your fantasy playoffs — and if you’re in your fantasy playoffs, you’ve probably stayed far away from the hellscape of the post-Veras Houston bullpen. The events of Labor Day won’t inspire you to change that sound plan: after a solid sixth and seventh from putative closer Josh Fields, Kevin Chapman let an inherited runner score to tie the game. Chia-Jen Lo came out for the ninth, which might have been enough to edge him past Fields in our hierarchy. If, that is, Lo hadn’t loaded the bases in time for a Chris Colabello grand slam. On the bright side, Houston’s minor league teams have the best combined record in baseball. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/3/13

.

Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, it was Jose Veras who earned the save by finishing off a shutout of Boston. Bet he’s glad he got out of Houston. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras9/3/13

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has three saves in the last three days.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has pitched on four of the last five days, and Ryan Cook has pitched in three of four himself. Doolittle had Labor Day off.
3. Sergio Santos/Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen has pitched in three of the last four games, and it may be too early for John Gibbons to use Steve Delabar on back-to-back days.

Aaron Crow falling out of favor in Kansas City; Tom Wilhelmsen called up

September 2, 2013

Kansas City Royals – Aaron Crow, who spent the better part of two months as a rock-solid 8th inning man, has fallen out of favor over the last few weeks in Kansas City.  He hasn’t been particularly awful — despite a few recent hiccups, he still sports a 3.09 ERA for the year — but he hasn’t gotten a hold in over two weeks, as the Royals have been more apt to use Kelvin Herrera and Luke Hochevar to bridge the gap to Greg Holland.  The flame throwing Herrera has long been the organizational favorite to hold the set-up role, while Hochevar has revitalized his career in the bullpen and got the call in the 8th last night.  Hierarchy change: Kelvin Herrera to Set-up, Luke Hochevar to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandKelvin HerreraLuke HochevarGreg Holland9/2/13

.
Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen was among Seattle’s September callups, and though The Bartender won’t be getting into any high-leverage spots right away, a few good outings could compel the Mariners to put him in to some tighter spots.  If he performs, it could raise his trade value prior to 2014, which is the last year before he is eligible for salary arbitration.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushDanny Farquhar9/2/13

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dane de la Rosa, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in back to back games and three of the last four days, pitching 3.1 innings and throwing 79 pitches in that span.  Dane de la Rosa also appeared in each of those games, but only logged 2.1 innings and 46 pitches; he’s more suited for the save opportunity today.
2. Jose Veras, Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit has pitched in back to back games and three of the last four, and yesterday’s outing was particularly ugly, as he gave up a grand slam and took the loss.  He might get the day off today.

Brian Wilson pitching well since his return

September 1, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers — Brian Wilson pitched a scoreless 8th inning in a tie game last night.  He ended up getting the win and now has made five scoreless appearances since joining the Dodgers.  Hierarchy change: Brian Wilson to 2nd in line, replacing Ronald Belisario.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezBrian WilsonKenley Jansen9/1/13

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has pitched in three straight.