July 11, 2014
Milwaukee Brewers – Outside of closer Francisco Rodriguez, the Brewers bullpen has gone from sturdy to unwatchable over the past 30 days. The ERAs of their top three middle relievers on June 11: Will Smith, 0.91; Rob Wooten, 2.91; Brandon Kintzler, 3.38. Today? Smith, 3.24; Wooten, 4.20; Kintzler, 3.86. Smith’s decline has been especially troubling, as the lefty was among the top middle relievers in the game over the first two months of the season. But his last 8 appearances have yielded 11 ERs in just 6.2 innings, including an absolute shellacking last night (5 ERs, 0 outs recorded). As it stands now, we don’t think the Brewers would hand the ball to Smith if K-Rod needed a night off. We’re not sure who would get the chance, actually, but we’ll give the nod to Kintzler for now, as a prize for regressing the least over the past month.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Kintzler | Smith.
Seattle Mariners – Though he’s rarely been used as the 8th inning man, Lloyd McLendon tabbed Danny Farquhar as his backup closer as recently as two weeks ago. And it sure is strange see a backup closer pitching in the THIRD inning of a game, as Farquhar did last night. We’ve been perpetually befuddled by this bullpen all season, mostly because it’s been very good top to bottom — McLendon hasn’t really needed to designate specific roles for his more effective pitchers, because they’ve all been quite effective. So we’re still going to trust that Farquhar truly would be the guy to take over should something happen to Fernando Rodney. But still, you’re sending your supposed 2nd-best reliever out there in the third inning? Really? This one bears continued watching, as Yoervis Medina has continued to pitch well.
Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Farquhar | Medina.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton/Sam LeCure, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in three straight and will likely get the night off. Jonathan Broxton might be able to go, but he’s pitched in back to back games and four of five, so a Cincinnati save opp tonight could fall to Sam LeCure, or maybe Manny Parra.
