Joakim Soria going through odd stretch; Giants turn to committee

June 30, 2014

Chicago White Sox – We’re paying close attention to the White Sox, who on Sunday used Jake Petricka to protect a 4-run 9th inning lead. Robin Ventura keeps saying that he isn’t ready to name a new closer yet, but based on the last several days, Zach Putnam and Petricka continue to look like the two main options.

Hierarchy remains: Putnam | Petricka | Guerra.

Texas Rangers – Something odd is afoot with Joakim Soria. He didn’t pitch for 10 days from June 14 to June 24, and then, when Ron Washington finally decided to get him some work, Soria entered in the 9th inning of a blowout, threw 8 pitches, got 2 outs, and then was yanked for Scott Baker, who faced the final batter. Three days later, Soria had his worst outing of the year, blowing the save against the Twins. And then, two days after that — yesterday — he took the loss after allowing the tie breaking run in the 9th. He’s earned way too much trust to be placed on the Hot Seat just yet, but it’s certainly been a strange week for Soria, who has a troubled injury history. We’ll keep an eye on him in the coming days.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Frasor | Cotts.

Houston Astros – Chad Qualls has been nursing a minor groin injury, so rather than use him on three straight days, Bo Porter called for Tony Sipp in the 9th inning on Sunday. Qualls was warming up just in case and should be fine for the next save chance.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Veras.

Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle and Luke Gregerson had both pitched in two straight and three of four, so the A’s used Ryan Cook to get the last four outs of the game on Sunday. Cook, Dan Otero, and Fernando Abad will continue to jockey for 7th inning chances.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Gregerson | Cook.

San Francisco Giants — Bruce Bochy announced on Sunday that the struggling Sergio Romo would move into a setup role, and that closing duties would be handled by the newest rage: a committee, prominently featuring Santiago Casilla and lefthander Jeremy Affeldt. Romo himself could see work as part of the committee, depending on — say it with us now — matchups.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Affeldt | Romo.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox – Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka appear to be sharing save chances in Chicago.

Zach Putman moves to the top of White Sox closer committee, Sergio Romo blows save

June 29, 2014

Chicago White Sox – Zach Putnam recorded his first career save on Saturday.  He got the last out of the 8th inning and then came back out for the 9th to finish the game.  Putnam has been effective against both righties and lefties this season so we think he is the best option to close games.  However, Jake Petricka was warming up in the bullpen in the 9th inning yesterday and Robin Ventura has said they will mix and match so this is still very much a committee.  We will move Putnam to the top of the committee but it could be anybody getting the next save opportunity.

Updated hierarchy: Putnam | Petricka | Guerra.

San Francisco Giants — Sergio Romo blew his 5th save of the season last night, giving up a 2 run homer to Brandon Phillips.  After the game, manager Bruce Bochy said he wouldn’t answer questions about whether Romo would get the next save, but he did say it was something they would talk about.  Santiago Casilla has an ERA just over 1.00 and could be in line for some save opportunities if the Giants want to give Romo a break from closing.

Sergio Romo to Hot Seat.

Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee picked up his second save in two days on Saturday.  Grant Balfour worked the 8th inning ahead of McGee in game 1 of the doubleheader on Friday and did it again yesterday.  It is also worth noting that Joel Peralta gave up 2 runs in the 7th inning with the Rays losing in game 2 of the doubleheader on Friday.  McGee looks to be moving ahead of the other members of the Rays committee and could be establishing himself as the primary closer.

Hierarchy remains: McGee | Balfour | Peralta.

Oakland Athletics – Sean Doolittle’s scoreless inning streak ended at 26 yesterday, as he blew a one run lead in the 9th inning.  Jeff Francis ended up getting the save in the 14th inning, but he does not factor into the A’s normal late inning bullpen plans.

Hierarchy Remains: Doolittle | Gregerson | Otero.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox – The White Sox are using a committee and Zach Putnam has pitched in 2 straight and 3 of the last 4.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman blew the save yesterday and has pitched 4 games in a row.
3. Brandon Kintzler, Milwaukee Brewers – K-Rod and Will Smith have both appeared in 3 straight games.

Petricka picks up save, Jason Grilli and Ernesto Frieri traded

June 28, 2014

Chicago White Sox – Jake Petricka came on to get the last two outs of the 9th inning and preserve a White Sox win.  After the game Robin Ventura said they don’t have a closer right now.  He did mention that Petricka would be used in the later innings, but that this could be a tight spot in the 7th or 8th, and not always the 9th inning.  It sounds like a committee right now, but we will continue to monitor this to see if anybody emerges as the primary closer.

Updated hierarchy: Petricka | Putnam | Guerra.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Ernesto Frieri has been traded to the Pirates in a swap of former closers.  Mark Melancon just became the Pirates closer a week ago, and he should hang on to the job for now.  However, the Pirates like Frieri’s stuff, so if he can get back on track, he could challenge Melancon for saves.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Frieri | Watson.

Los Angeles Angels — The Angels have acquired former Pirates closer Jason Grilli.  Grilli has struggled recently, so it is unlikely that he will immediately take over as the closer for the Angels.  However, the Angels would prefer to have more flexibility in when they bring in Joe Smith, so if Grilli can string together a couple good outings, he could become the closer.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Grilli | Jepsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Zach Putnam/Javy Guerra, Chicago White Sox – For now it looks like a committee in Chicago, so anybody could get the call in the 9th.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in 3 straight.
3. Jeurys Familia, New York Mets – Jenrry Mejia pitched 2 innings last night.
4. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee recorded the save in the first game of the doubleheader yesterday so it could be Joel Peralta’s turn in the committee today.

Ronald Belisario out as closer for White Sox

June 27, 2014

Chicago White Sox – Ronald Belisario could only get 1 out in the 9th inning on Friday night and after the game, Robin Ventura finally pulled the plug on the laboring righty.  The only person mentioned specifically as being “in the mix” for save opportunities is Jake Petricka — the man who bailed Belisario out on Friday.  We like Zach Putnam’s ratios a lot better, while Javy Guerra has the most experience, and Daniel Webb has carried the “future closer” tag for a while.  But actually converting a save carries a lot of weight, so we’ll stick Petricka in the lead until we hear more.

Updated hierarchy: Petricka | Putnam | Guerra.