Tyler Clippard seizing 8th inning role in Washington; Santiago Casilla hurt

May 9, 2013

Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard picked up an 8th-inning hold ahead of Rafael Soriano, marking the 4th consecutive time he’s been used in this fashion.  He seems to have wrested the primary set-up job away from a struggling Drew Storen, and will likely be the first choice for vulture saves on nights when Soriano is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Tyler Clippard to Set-up, Drew Storen to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Soriano |Clippard |Storen |Soriano |5/9/13

 
San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla injured his right knee while covering first on Wednesday, and will undergo an MRI today.  If a DL trip is necessary, which seems likely at this point, then lefty Jeremy Affeldt is most likely to inherit the 8th inning role.  Hierarchy change: Jeremy Affeldt to Set-up, Santiago Casilla injured. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedSF |Romo |Affeldt |Kontos |Romo |5/9/13 |Casilla(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rex Brothers, Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt has pitched on back to back nights, and has yet to pitch on three straight days this season. Rex Brothers will likely get the save opp if Betancourt gets the afternoon off.

Santiago Casilla picks up first save since July

September 29, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo got a night off on Friday, so Javier Lopez and Santiago Casilla combined to get through the 9th inning.  Casilla got the last two outs and picked up his first save in several months.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Romo |Lopez |Casilla |Wilson |9/29/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
New York Mets – Bobby Parnell just picked up his 6th save of the season.  Earlier today, the Mets said that Parnell would close for the last week of the season, so he might be good for one or two more save chances.  Hierarchy change: Bobby Parnell to Closer, Jon Rauch to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rauch |Edgin |Francisco |9/28/12 |Francis(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jon Rauch, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell has pitched in two straight and five of the last six.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Giants gaining confidence again in Santiago Casilla

September 18, 2012

San Francisco Giants – On Monday, Santiago Casilla finished the 7th inning, pitched a clean 8th, then got the first out of the 9th with the Giants up by 1 run.  With Jeremy Affeldt going through some serious struggles over the past month or so, Casilla has been getting more usage in high-leverage situations.  Hierarchy change: Santiago Casilla to 2nd in line, replacing Jeremy Affeldt.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Romo |Lopez |Casilla |Wilson |9/18/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman’s fatigued arm means Jonathan Broxton should see the majority of Cincinnati save chances over the next week or so.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Josh Kinney takes on bigger role for Seattle, Lopez picks up save for SF

September 3, 2012

Seattle Mariners – Josh Kinney picked up the last two outs of the 8th in a 2 run game. While Luetge has been impressive, his role is more of a high leverage lefty specialist. If both Wilhelmsen and Furbush were unavailable, its likely that the 9th inning duties would fall to the right handed Kinney.  Hierarchy change: Josh Kinney to 2nd in line, replacing Lucas Luetge.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Furbush |Kinney |Wilhelmsen |9/3/12

 

San Francisco Giants – As predicted in the vulture save watch, Javier Lopez picked up the save yesterday. San Francisco continues to use a true committee in close games, so Romo, Lopez and Affeldt could all get teh call in the 9th inning.   No Hierarchy Change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Romo |Lopez |Affeldt |Wilson |9/3/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH

1. Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners –  Tom Wilhelmsen  has pitched in 2 straight games, throwing 44 pitches total.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Lopez picked up the save last night, and could get the call again in the Giants committee.

Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez splitting chances in San Francisco

August 31, 2012

Kansas City Royals – With Greg Holland getting the night off after two high-leverage saves in a row, the Royals went to flamethrower Kelvin Herrera for the save.  Herrera allowed two runners to reach, but got the job done and lowered his ERA to 2.49 on the year.  He’ll likely be the man the Royals turn to if Holland needs any time off in the future.  Hierarchy change: Kelvin Herrera to Set-up, Aaron Crow to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Herrera |Crow |Holland |8/31/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
San Francisco Giants – After Santiago Casilla was demoted, Jeremy Affeldt received the first two save opportunities.  With the ability to pitch to both lefties and righties (as opposed to Javier Lopez) and with the ability to pitch in multiple games in a row without injury concerns (as opposed to Sergio Romo), Affeldt looked like the best bet to seize the majority of the San Francisco committee’s saves.  But since blowing his second save chance, he hasn’t gotten another look.  Meanwhile, Lopez has nabbed four saves and Sergio Romo has picked up three, including one last night.  While Lopez is leading the committee in saves since Casilla’s demotion, most of them have been a bit fluky, as he’s induced several double plays to end games while other relievers were warming.  Romo will likely get the most chances from here on out.  Hierarchy change: Sergio Romo to Closer, Javier Lopez to Set-up, Jeremy Affeldt to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Romo |Lopez |Affeldt |Wilson |8/31/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren Oliver, Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen has pitched in two straight, and three of the last four.
2. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – It appears that the Padres will be splitting opportunities between Dale Thayer and Luke Gregerson until Huston Street returns.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.
4. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – With the Giants in full committee mode, Sergio Romo or Javier Lopez could get a save on any night.