Zach Britton pitching his way out of long relief

May 2, 2014

Los Angeles Dodgers – Chris Perez came on in a save spot in the 8th inning, and then stayed on for the 9th after the Dodgers stretched their lead for his first save of the year.  He’s entrenched as the Los Angeles set-up man and stands to inherit the job should anything happen to Kenley Jansen.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenChris PerezBrian WilsonKenley Jansen5/2/14

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Minnesota Twins – Coming in to 2014, Jared Burton had every reason to be given a long leash as the Twins primary set-up man, as he was the team’s steadiest and best middle reliever over the past two years.  But it’s been a different story for the righty this year, as he’s got an ERA of almost 9 and a 6/9 K/BB ratio through 10.1 innings thus far.  Despite the terrible numbers, he was still being used ahead of Glen Perkins — prior to Thursday, his last two outings were 8th inning holds.  But maybe Ron Gardenhire has finally realized that he’s actually got a great bullpen this year (Casey Fien, Brian Duensing, and Michael Tonkin have all been excellent), and yesterday, Burton was finally given a low-leverage inning to sort himself out.  We still get the feeling that Burton could be used as the backup closer if Perkins needs a night off, so we’ll monitor his usage closely over the weekend.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins5/2/14

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Toronto Blue Jays – Aaron Loup picked up a long relief save on Thursday, but he doesn’t factor in to the usual late-inning plans for Toronto.  No hierarchy change. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos5/2/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

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Baltimore Orioles – He started the season as a long reliever, but Zach Britton has been getting more high-leverage innings as of late.  In the first game of the Orioles’ doubleheader on Thursday, he pitched the 7th inning and earned his 4th hold of the year.  Hierarchy change: Zach Britton to 2nd in line, replacing Brian Matusz.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterDarren O’DayZach BrittonTommy Hunter5/2/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Grant Balfour picked up saves in both halves of Tampa’s doubleheader on Thursday and will likely be unavailable today.
2. Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles – Both Tommy Hunter and Darren O’Day pitched in both games of the Orioles’ doubleheader on Thursday.
3. Jim Johnson, Oakland A’s – As we’ve said for the past week, we think Jim Johnson gets the next save chance in Oakland, and we think the job is his again if he converts it.
4. Chad Qualls/Raul Valdes, Houston Astros – What would the Vulture Save Watch be without a couple of awesome Houston relievers on it?  (Answer: Shorter and less sarcastic.)

Jim Johnson still on the cusp of closing; Hector Rondon nearly official

May 1, 2014

Oakland A’s — Jim Johnson remains undefeated — for his career! — when protecting an 11-run lead. Luke Gregerson, who hadn’t pitched since Saturday, got the eighth inning in this laugher, and it seems all but official that JJ will claim the next high-leverage ninth. We’ll slide him up one slot, for now. Hierarchy change: Jim Johnson to Set-Up, Sean Doolittle to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKLuke GregersonJim JohnsonSean DoolittleSean Doolittle5/1/14

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Chicago Cubs — The Cubs had a save situation all lined up for our man Hector, but then double agent Sean Marshall boosted them into a five-run lead. Rondon was warming for the ninth, and although Renteria refuses to make a commitment, it appears that Hector has a corner on the closer market. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCHector RondonPedro StropJustin GrimmHector Rondon5/1/14

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Colorado Rockies – Rather than pitch LaTroy Hawkins on three straight days, Colorado called on Rex Brothers with a two-run lead. He couldn’t get the job done, sending the game into extra innings. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
COLLaTroy HawkinsAdam OttavinoRex BrothersRex Brothers5/1/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chris Perez, Los Angeles Dodgers — LA has a doubleheader tomorrow and might not wish to use Kenley Jansen in both games.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins — Same goes for Glen Perkins.
3-6. Darren O’Day, Junichi Tazawa, Joel Peralta, and Tony Watson — Their teams all got rained out on Wednesday, so they could pick up vulture saves in the nightcaps of tomorrow’s doubleheaders.