Cotts and Neshek record saves

September 14, 2014

Texas Rangers – The Rangers gave Neftali Feliz the night off after pitching two days in a row and Neal Cotts picked up his first save of the season.  Despite his recent struggles (and his 9 losses on the season), it looks like Cotts will get the first shot at saves when Feliz is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Cotts | Tolleson.

St. Louis Cardinals — Pat Neshek got the last two outs of the 9th inning for his 6th save of the season last night.  Manager Mike Matheny said that he does not want to use closer Trevor Rosenthal or Neshek on consecutive days if he can avoid it the rest of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Neshek | Martinez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees – David Robertson has pitched two days in a row, including a 5 out, 35 pitch outing on Friday.
2. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Joaquin Benoit is still out.

Sean Doolittle off DL, Uehara and Holland return

September 13, 2014

Oakland A’s – Closer Sean Doolittle returned from the DL yesterday.  Manager Bob Melvin said that everyone will return to their normal roles so it sounds like Doolittle will resume closing games immediately.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | O’Flaherty | Cook.

Boston Red Sox — Edward Mujica recorded another save on Friday night.  Meanwhile, Koji Uehara returned to throw a 1-2-3 8th inning.  It was Uehara’s first clean inning in almost a month.  Uehara will likely need a few more outings like that before he sees some save chances so Mujica should remain the closer for now.

Updated hierarchy: Mujica | Uehara | Tazawa.

Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland returned to the mound last night for the first time since September 3rd.  It was not a save situation but Holland did strike out the side.  Barring any setbacks with Holland’s triceps, he should immediately return to closing games.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Tampa Bay Rays — Grant Balfour pitched a perfect 9th inning last night to record his first save since July 1st.  Jake McGee threw a perfect 8th inning and should continue to see the majority of save chances.  However, with Joel Peralta giving up 5 runs in his past two outings, Balfour could see more time in the later innings.

Updated hierarchy: McGee | Boxberger | Balfour.

San Diego Padres — Kevin Quackenbush picked up his third save of the season yesterday.  Benoit still wants to pitch again this season and he is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Sunday.

Hierarchy remains: Benoit | Quackenbush | Thayer.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Koji Uehara/Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Edward Mujica has pitched three days in a row.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Milwaukee Brewers – K-Rod has appeared in four straight games.
3. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Quack got the save last night and Benoit is not expected to return until next week at the earliest.

Sean Doolittle expected to return today

September 12, 2014

Oakland A’s – All signs point towards Sean Doolittle’s activation today. Since we anticipate his immediate return to his old gig, expect a live alert if and when he is officially activated.

Hierarchy remains: O’Flaherty | Cook | Gregerson.

San Francisco Giants – Bruce Bochy said two weeks ago that both Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo would be used in the game’s final innings. Since then, Casilla has gotten both save chances, but has allowed a run in two of his last three appearances, including a solo shot last night in a non-save opp. Despite Romo’s lack of opportunity, this remains a somewhat volatile situation, and Romo may still be good for a few save opps down the stretch.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Affeldt.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three straight.
2. Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has gone three straight. None of the Reds relievers have distinguished themselves as the clear set-up man since Jonathan Broxton’s departure, so this is just our best guess; Manny Parra or Sam LeCure also could be tapped for the save.
3. Josh Fields, Houston Astros – If Chad Qualls is still unavailable, Fields is the best bet for a save chance.
4. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Joaquin Benoit is still out.
5. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – The Royals continue to be cautious with Greg Holland.

Joakim Soria and Rafael Soriano make their returns

September 11, 2014

Oakland A’s — After a successful outing on Wednesday, Sean Doolittle is on track to return from the DL on Friday.

Hierarchy remains: O’Flaherty | Cook | Gregerson.

Houston Astros — With a lefty-heavy Mariners lineup in the 9th, it was Tony Sipp (mentioned in Wednesday’s VSW) who earned the save last night. It’s Josh Fields who will get most of the save chances as long as Chad Qualls is hurt, however.

Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Fields | Sipp.

Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria returned from the DL on Wednesday, giving up one run in the ninth with the team behind. If Joe Nathan’s arm troubles worsen, Brad Ausmus could turn to the experienced Soria.

Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Chamberlain | Soria.

Washington Nationals — Rafael Soriano returned from a five-day hiatus to pitch in a low-leverage outing on Wednesday. Club brass hopes he’ll be willing to accept a set-up role as the postseason approaches.

Hierarchy remains: Storen | Clippard | Soriano.

Kansas City Royals — With Greg Holland remaining unavailable, Wade Davis picked up another save on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles led 10-1 entering the bottom of the ninth and somehow still managed to squeeze out a save for Darren O’Day. Joe Saunders gets credit for the assist; he gave up two more baserunners than starter Wei-Yin Chin, while recording only 20 fewer outs.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Miller.

NFL — After an anonymous law enforcement source claimed that he sent a copy of the damning Ray Rice video to NFL officials in April, commissioner Roger Goodell announced that former FBI director Robert Mueller will head up an investigation into the league’s handling of evidence in the case. As cries for his dismissal grow louder, Goodell should be looking over his shoulder at Condoleeza Rice, who combines impressive professional credentials with a deep love of football — and could allow the Ravens to repurpose all their now-worthless “RICE” jerseys. Also in the mix is the logorrheic choice of the football gods, Gregg “TMQ” Easterbrook, who has written more words about the NFL than you have ever said. About anything.

Updated hierarchy: Goodell | Rice | Easterbrook.
Roger Goodell to Hot Seat.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Josh Fields, Houston Astros — As noted, Chad Qualls remains unavailable.
2. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — As does Huston Street, until Friday.
3. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — No news yet on Joaquin Benoit’s return.
4. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland might still be hobbled.
5. Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers — K-Rod and Jonathan Broxton have been used a lot the last few days, and Wisconsin loves Pig Latin rap.