August 31, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Usually, your “closer” doesn’t pitch in the 8th inning of a game you’re losing by four runs. But that’s when the Tigers summoned Bruce Rondon yesterday, who responded by allowing 3 earned runs and getting yanked. Rondon’s FIP remains decent at 3.17, but his ERA is still more than double that mark, and you wonder how often the Tigers can keep using him in the 9th inning even with their season lost. Alex Wilson, meanwhile, didn’t help his own cause over the weekend, giving up two home runs on Saturday.
Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s – It was a good night for Sean Doolittle owners, as the lefty pitched his first clean inning since returning from the DL. Also in Doolittle’s favor: after departing with a 1-run lead, he watched as Drew Pomeranz coughed it up in the 9th. Pomeranz continues to look like the better pitcher, though, despite last night’s hiccup, and is worth holding on to if you have the roster space. He’s throwing hard and has earned the trust of Bob Melvin, while Doolittle’s velocity still hasn’t returned to pre-injury levels.
Hierarchy remains: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Venditte.
St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal, apparently the poster child for the wussification of America, was still out on paternity leave on Sunday, so Kevin Siegrist got the save in his place. Rosenthal is set to rejoin the team today after taking THREE WHOLE DAYS to be with his family after the birth of his child. WHAT A WUSS.
Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Broxton.
Boston Red Sox – Jean Machi successfully closed out the Mets on Saturday, and going forward, he’ll be the team’s primary closer. Torey Lovullo said that Junichi Tazawa will slide back to the set-up role.
Updated hierarchy: Machi | Tazawa | Ogando.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in back to back games and four of five.
2. Daniel Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks – Brad Ziegler allowed three runs in an ugly, 30-pitch appearance on Sunday and might need a day off.
