Ronald Belisario and Cody Allen moving up

May 21, 2014

Cleveland Indians — Bryan Shaw pitched the seventh and eighth innings up three runs, yielding to Cody Allen for the ninth — although by then the Indians had scored another run to eliminate the save situation. Without that run, this would have been the second straight save chance for Allen, who hit 100 mph on the radar gun on Tuesday. We interpret this as a sign that he’s the favored option in the committee. He’s pitched on three straight days, though, so don’t lose faith when he doesn’t get called on Wednesday.

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Shaw | Axford.

Chicago White Sox — After Jake Petricka pitched a solid seventh for the Sox, Chicago scored three runs in the top of the eighth — only to see Scott Downs and a horrid Frank Francisco give them right back. After Zach Putnam got out of the jam, it was indeed Ronald Belisario who got the first post-Lindstrom save chance. Belisario gave up one run (on a bizarre passed ball and a single through a shifted infield) before striking out Lorenzo Cain to clinch the win. He’s not likely to be able to go tomorrow, but he’s still our best bet for saves from this pen with Lindstrom out.

Hierarchy remains: Belisario | Webb | Petricka.

Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle’s first walk in nine months didn’t scare off Bob Melvin Tuesday night. After the lefty finished off the Rays, he was officially anointed Oakland’s closer. “It’s pretty cool, I guess,” was Doolittle’s response — fitting for a man who’s been known to dance like no one is watching to George Michael.

Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Gregerson | Johnson.

Colorado Rockies – LaTroy Hawkins blew his first save of the season on Sunday, and he followed it up by giving up the go-ahead run in a tied ninth last night. In his last nine appearances, Hawkins has given up seven earned runs in seven innings — and, more importantly, has surrendered 16 hits with only 2 strikeouts. With Adam Ottavino and Rex Brothers each pitching well, Hawkins might not have many more shots at the ninth.

LaTroy Hawkins to Hot Seat.

St. Louis Cardinals — Jason Motte, he of the beard and the cancer foundation, returned to the Cardinals roster on Tuesday after Tommy John surgery. Mike Matheny didn’t commit to a role for Motte apart from “right-handed pitcher,” but he also hinted that he wouldn’t be afraid to use Motte in a high-leverage spot right away.

Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Martinez | Motte.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. John Axford, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen has pitched in three straight games and Bryan Shaw threw two innings on Tuesday.
2. Daniel Webb, Chicago White Sox — Belisario has had two straight lengthy outings, while Webb has had two days off.
3. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles haven’t had many save chances lately, but as last night’s usage shows, they can go with either O’Day or Zach Britton in the ninth.

White Sox to use closer committee after Matt Lindstrom’s injury

May 20, 2014 (1:59 PM)

Chicago White Sox — Matt Lindstrom has been placed on the DL with an injured ankle; in his absence, the White Sox are likely to turn to a closer committee of Ronald Belisario (who hasn’t allowed a run in his last 12 outings), Daniel Webb (who has 17 walks in 17 games this year), and young Jake Petricka, who earned his first career save on Monday night. We like Belisario best going forward, but note that he did pitch two innings last night. If Robin Ventura is forced to use Frank Francisco in a high-leverage spot, he might wind up charging the mound again.

Updated hierarchy: Belisario | Webb | Petricka.

Lindstrom limps off field; Allen, Chapman blow saves

May 20, 2014

Chicago White Sox – Matt Lindstrom limped off the field in the ninth inning of Monday’s 7-6 win after he appeared to injure his left ankle. Scott Downs and Jake Petricka combined to close the game, with Petricka picking up his first career save. Sox manager Robin Ventura gave no specifics on the injury, but did say that it “didn’t look good.” We expect Belisario and Webb to form a committee if Lindstrom is indeed headed to the disabled list, with Webb getting the first crack at a save due to Belisario pitching two innings on Monday.

Hierarchy remains: Lindstrom | Belisario | Webb.

Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen blew the save on Monday, his first blown chance of the season. It marked his second straight bad outing, as he allowed three earned runs without recording an out on Sunday. Bryan Shaw should get the next save chance, while Allen may soon find himself below John Axford in the Indians’ committee.

Hierarchy remains: Shaw | Allen | Axford.

Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman suffered his first blown save of the season on Monday, but stayed in for a 1-2-3 10th inning in a 15-frame victory for the Reds. His job is not in jeopardy, though he is likely to get a night off after throwing 29 pitches. No hierarchy change.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Broxton | LeCure.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Daniel Webb, Chicago White Sox – Matt Lindstrom hobbled off the field on Monday after Ronald Belisario already threw two innings.
2. John Axford, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen has been bad in back-to-back games, so Axford is the likely committee member to get the nod if Bryan Shaw can’t pitch the ninth.
3. Sam LeCure, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman had a 29-pitch outing on Monday and Jonathan Broxton has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 27 pitches across two days.

Sean Doolittle looking like the leader of Oakland’s committee

May 19, 2014

Oakland A’s – A week ago today, Sean Doolittle got his second save of the season. Since then, the A’s haven’t had another save opportunity, but even before yesterday, it had started to appear that Doolittle was becoming the preferred option. Bob Melvin said on Wednesday that Doolittle would’ve gotten the save chance if there had been one that evening, and then Doolittle pitched the 9th inning in a 4-run game on Saturday. Meanwhile, Jim Johnson’s usage has been restricted to blowouts — the 9th inning of a 10-run game on Friday, and then the 6th inning of an 8-run game yesterday. In the latter appearance, Johnson walked 3 batters, hit a fourth, and then got yanked. Johnson appeared to be back on track earlier this month, but he’s fallen pretty far over the past week, and will probably have to string together a few strong appearances before he re-enters the conversation in Oakland. Look for Doolittle to be the main option for now, with Luke Gregerson getting the call if the A’s are facing a righty-heavy ninth inning.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Gregerson | Johnson

Cleveland Indians – Speculators have spent the better part of the last week arguing the merits of Bryan Shaw vs Cody Allen, but in the meantime, John Axford has been quietly turning things around. Yesterday, he struck out the only two hitters he faced, bringing him to 3.1 scoreless, hitless innings (4 Ks, 2 BBs) since his demotion. With both Tito Francona and the other Indians relievers pulling for Axford to win his job back, the recent stretch might put him in line for saves again relatively soon.

Updated hierarchy: Shaw | Allen | Axford

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cody Allen/John Axford, Cleveland Indians – Still a committee until further notice.

Mejia records save, Astros sign Farnsworth

May 18, 2014

New York Mets – Jenrry Mejia recorded his first career save yesterday, working around a leadoff single and striking out 2 batters.  The Mets are grooming Mejia to be their closer but they are still not sure that he can pitch on back to back days.  Until he proves he can, the Mets will have to use a committee to close out games when Mejia is unavailable.

Hierarchy remains: Mejia | Familia | Valverde.

Houston Astros — The Astros signed former Mets closer Kyle Farnsworth and immediately used him in the 8th inning with a 3-run lead.  He struggled, giving up 2 runs while only recording 2 outs, but the Astros don’t have much else, so Farnsworth should continue to see time in the later innings.  Chad Qualls pitched a perfect 9th inning for his 3rd save of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Sipp | Farnsworth.

Chicago Cubs – Neil Ramirez pitched a perfect 8th inning yesterday ahead of closer Hector Rondon, who also pitched a perfect 9th for his 4th save in 4 chances.  Ramirez struck out two more batters, bringing his total to 15 in just 9.1 innings, and should continue to see time in the 8th inning setting up Rondon.

Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Ramirez | Grimm.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Casey Fien, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in 3 straight
2. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has pitched in 3 straight including 1.2 innings on Thursday.
3. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles are using a committee so Britton or O’Day could be used.
4. Jeurys Familia/Jose Valverde, New York Mets – Mejia might not be available today after getting the save yesterday.
5. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen could get the call in the 9th on any given night.