Tyler Clippard is clear-cut choice in Washington; Sergio Romo nabs a save

June 3, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla is day-to-day after hurting his knee in Friday’s game, so the Giants used Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo to get through a 1-run 9th inning on Saturday, with Romo earning his first save of the year.  Bruce Bochy told the San Francisco Chronicle that Casilla might be able to pitch today.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Hensley |Wilson |6/3/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Washington Nationals – The Nationals’ closer by committee– if there ever was one– appears to be finished.  Tyler Clippard has gotten all four save opportunities since Henry Rodriguez was demoted, and he’s converted all four.  During that span, Sean Burnett and Craig Stammen have been used exclusively as set-up men.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Burnett |Stammen |Storen |5/26/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
Seattle Mariners – Hisashi Iwakuma recorded the save on Saturday, and has picked up two saves in his last two outings. However, his save on May 30th was of the 3-inning variety in a 21-8 win over the Texas Rangers, and his save yesterday was in the 12th inning after Seattle had used most of their other relievers. Brandon League and Charlie Furbush were both used before the 9th inning, and Tom Wilhelmsen pitched 3 scoreless in picking up the win.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |League |Furbush |League |6/3/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs is still sporting a 0.00 ERA, but the Angels have been leaning on Ernesto Frieri more and more lately.  Since Frieri got his first save chance, he’s been given 4 save opportunities versus just 2 for Downs.
2. Brandon League, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen threw three innings in yesterday’s 12-inning affair.
3. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Bruce Bochy is hoping that Santiago Casilla can return to action today, but if he can’t, Sergio Romo or Javier Lopez is the likely beneficiary.

Javier Lopez gets a save, Ernesto Frieri continues to dominate

June 2, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Starter Madison Bumgarner pitched into the 9th but after a couple guys got on Santiago Casilla came on to finish it out.  Casilla gave up a 3 run homerun to the first batter he faced and gave up 2 more hits while only getting one out, also hurting his knee in the process– the Giants have yet to announce how severe the injury is, though initially it didn’t appear serious.  Javier Lopez came on with a lefty due up and got the last two outs for the save.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF  |Casilla |Romo |Hensley |Wilson |6/2/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Cincinnati Reds – Logan Ondrusek pitched the 8th setting up Aroldis Chapman for the save.  Ondrusek continues to have a solid season for the Reds and got the save the last time Chapman was unavailable.   Hierarchy change: Logan Ondrusek to 2nd in line, replacing Jose Arredondo.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Ondrusek |Madson |6/2/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs pitched the 8th and still has not given up a run for the Angels.  However Ernesto Frieri came on for the save in the 9th and has yet to give up a hit in 13 innings since coming over to the Angels.  Downs may still see some save opportunities based on match-ups but Frieri should see the majority of save opportunities going forward.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Walden |Walden |6/2/12 |Hawkins(DL) |

 
New York Yankees – David Robertson is still a few weeks away from returning but the Yankees have already said that Rafael Soriano will continue to close even after Robertson comes back.  Robertson will likely go back to his 8th inning duties once he is healthy.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to Set-up (DL).

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Logan |Wade |Robertson |6/2/12 |Robertson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon came on for a 5 out save yesterday.  Manager Charlie Manuel had said earlier in the week that he would not use Papelbon for more than a 3 out save until September so he may want to give him a night off after last night.
2. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Although Tyler Clippard will most likely get the call if there is a save opportunity on Saturday there is always a chance that Sean Burnett could get the chance if the match-ups are right.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Casey Coleman a darkhorse for saves in Chicago
 
 
May 29, 2012
San Francisco Giants – While Javier Lopez has gotten a handful of saves this season when the Giants are facing lefty-heavy lineups, he wouldn’t likely inherit the full time job even if Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo were both hurt.  Instead, the role would likely go to Clay Hensley, who pitched a scoreless 8th inning ahead of Casilla on Monday.  Hierarchy change: Clay Hensley to 2nd in line, replacing Javier Lopez. 
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Hensley |Wilson |5/29/12 |Wilson(DL) |
 
Chicago Cubs – Casey Coleman pitched a clean 9th inning for the Cubs on Monday.  While it was not a save opportunity– the Cubs were up by 4– Coleman was briefly mentioned by Dale Sveum over the weekend as someone who could be a 9th inning option.  While Sveum strongly endorsed James Russell and Shawn Camp for the role, Coleman could be a dark horse for saves.  Hierarchy change: Casey Coleman to 2nd in line, replacing Rafael Dolis. 
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Russell |Camp |Coleman |Marmol |5/29/12
 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri will get the majority of opportunities, but Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.
2. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has gotten all three save opportunities since Henry Rodriguez was demoted, but Davey Johnson has said that Sean Burnett could still get opportunities based on match-ups.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Henry Rodriguez inching ahead of Lidge for saves
 
 
April 21, 2012
Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez got another save on Friday, and now has four this season to Brad Lidge’s two.  Lidge has also been suffering from vertigo which has limited his availability in recent days, and while Davey Johnson continues to maintain that he’ll use both pitchers in the 9th inning, Rodriguez is now the preferable guy to own, if you only have room for one.  Hierarchy change: Henry Rodriguez to Closer, Brad Lidge to Set-up.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Rodriguez |Lidge |Clippard |Storen |4/21/12 |Storen(DL) |
 
San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla only pitched to one batter in the 9th on Friday, giving up a single before giving way to Javier Lopez, who faced the next two batters (both lefties).  The duo combined to blow the save, which was eventually recorded by Clay Hensley in the bottom of the 10th.  Bruce Bochy has said that he would use a committee to close games, and he proved his statement true on Friday.  Casilla will be a short leash in the future.  Santiago Casilla to Hot Seat.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |4/21/12 |Wilson(DL) |
 
Philadelphia Phillies – Jose Contreras returned from the disabled list yesterday, pitching the 7th inning ahead of Chad Qualls and Jonathan Papelbon.  Contreras should continue to be used in this role, as Antonio Bastardo has settled into a LOOGY role as of late.  Hierarchy change: Jose Contreras to 2nd in line, replacing Antonio Bastardo.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Qualls |Contreras |Papelbon |4/21/12
 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brad Lidge, Washington Nationals – With Henry Rodriguez now the listed closer, it’s Brad Lidge’s turn to headline the Vulture Save Watch regularly. Rodriguez got the save yesterday, so if Lidge has kicked his vertigo, it’ll be his turn.
2. Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez has pitched on two consecutive days, and in three of the last four.
3. Mike Adams/Alexi Ogando, Texas Rangers – The Rangers and Tigers play a doubleheader today, and while Jose Valverde should close both games for the Tigers if necessary, Joe Nathan may not be able to, giving Adams or Ogando a possible opportunity if the Rangers sweep in two close games.
4. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Jordan Walden pitched yesterday, throwing 27 pitches, two days after throwing 31 pitches on Wednesday.  He could get the night off.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Santiago Casilla to close for Giants; Joel Hanrahan day-to-day
 
 
April 18, 2012
San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla recorded the save for the Giants on Tuesday night, and Bruce Bochy indicated that he will get the majority of San Francisco’s save opportunities for the time being.  ”We have confidence in Casilla.  He’s another guy who throws 95 and gets it done like he did tonight,” said Bochy.  While Sergio Romo was, by all measures, one of the best relievers in all of baseball last year, he was hurt late in the season and Bochy may have concerns about his arm strength and ability to pitch on back-to-back nights.  The Giants skipper said before the game that this was still a platoon, but that Casilla will get the most save chances at the outset.  Hierarchy change: Santiago Casilla to Closer; Sergio Romo to Set-up.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |4/18/12 |Wilson(DL) |
 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan has sustained a mild hamstring injury, and Juan Cruz picked up the save in his absence last night.  Hanrahan’s job is not in jeopardy and he is considered day to day, but Cruz has been solid this season, having not allowed any runs through 5 innings so far.  Hierarchy change: Juan Cruz to 2nd in line, replacing Evan Meek.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Cruz |Hanrahan |4/18/12
 
Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook was brought in for the 8th inning, the second consecutive game that he has been used over Brian Fuentes to bridge the gap to Grant Balfour.  Cook has yet to allow a run in 5.1 innings so far this season.  Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to Set-up, Brian Fuentes to 2nd in line. 
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Fuentes |Balfour |4/18/12
 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals – Brad Lidge, our listed closer, got the save on Tuesday.  That means Henry Rodriguez will get the next opportunity.  Davey Johnson’s strict back-and-forth platoon will only be affected if one of the two righties falters, and so far, neither of them have.
2. Juan Cruz/Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan could be out as much as three more days with a balky hamstring. Cruz, who got the save Tuesday, and Grilli, the Pirates 8th inning man all year, are candidates for save opps in his absence.
3. Rex Brothers, Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt threw 20 pitches in recording the save last night, and has pitched on 4 of the last 6 days.