Craig Kimbrel: human after all

September 18, 2013

Atlanta Braves — A blown save on Tuesday and three earned runs in his last two appearances should eliminate Craig Kimbrel from any misguided Cy Young consideration. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelDavid CarpenterJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel9/18/13

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San Diego Padres — With Huston Street on bereavement leave, Luke Gregerson picked up the save. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDHuston StreetLuke GregersonNick VincentHuston Street9/18/13

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Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, Joaquin Benoit was unavailable — but Carter Capps’s ineffectiveness for Seattle robbed Jose Veras of his vulture save opportunity. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras9/18/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. B.J. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon needed 32 pitches to get Tuesday’s save.

Josh Fields is officially Houston’s closer, for whatever that’s worth

September 17, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks — David Hernandez and Brad Ziegler ably finished Monday night’s one-run win over the Dodgers, but lurking in the background is the newly healthy J.J. Putz. Kirk Gibson intends to use him in very brief outings at first, but if, as we suspect, the D-Backs intend to use him as their closer next year, he might get some higher-leverage opportunities before long. Hierarchy change: J.J. Putz to Set-Up, David Hernandez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerJ.J. PutzDavid HernandezJ.J. Putz9/17/13

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Houston Astros — It was a slow night for closer news, so we’ll take the time to point out that, over the weekend, Bo Porter confirmed what we’d suspected for weeks: Josh Fields is officially the Astros closer. We forecast him to earn precisely one more save than your mother over the next two weeks, and she might be easier on your WHIP. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsJosh ZeidKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/17/13

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Cincinnati Reds — Sean Marshall returned to Cincinnati on Monday, but after four months off, he’ll be the third lefty out of the Reds’ pen. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanJ.J. HooverSam LeCureJonathan Broxton9/17/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres — Huston Street is off for another day to attend his grandmother’s funeral.
2. Jose Veras, Detroit Tigers — Although Joaquin Benoit hasn’t had to throw many pitches lately, he has appeared on three of the last four days.

Nick Vincent earning some bigger innings

September 16, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Carter Capps was summoned in the 5th inning on Sunday and has been knocked around in his last few outings.  After a short time when Capps was getting some higher-leverage innings, Charlie Furbush has resumed to his role as a dual set-up man with Yoervis Medina.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line, replacing Carter Capps.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushDanny Farquhar9/16/13

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San Diego Padres – Nick Vincent pitched the 8th inning ahead of Huston Street on Sunday, and has been getting some important innings as of late.  Dale Thayer, meanwhile, has been going through a rough stretch, having allowed 6 earned runs in his last 4.1 innings.  Hierarchy change: Nick Vincent to 2nd in line, replacing Dale Thayer.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDHuston StreetLuke GregersonNick VincentHuston Street9/16/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour got the save last night but has a tired arm so Doolittle or Cook could be used tonight.
3. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Huston Street will miss a few games due to the death of his grandmother.

David Carpenter pitching well for Braves

September 15, 2013

Atlanta Braves — One night after Jordan Walden blew an 8th inning lead, the Braves went to David Carpenter ahead of Craig Kimbrel.  Jordan Walden has been battling injuries while David Carpenter lowered his ERA to 1.95 with last night’s outing.  Hierarchy change: David Carpenter to Set-up, Jordan Walden to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelDavid CarpenterJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel9/15/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Frank Francisco, New York Mets — LaTroy Hawkins has pitched in two straight and three of the past four.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour got the save last night but has a tired arm so Doolittle or Cook could be used tonight.

Sean Doolittle picks up save, Jason Grilli struggling

September 14, 2013

Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook came on with 2 outs in the 8th inning last night and proceeded to give up a walk and two hits while recording no outs.  Sean Doolittle got the last out of the 8th and stayed on for the 9th to pick up his 2nd save of the season.  Grant Balfour admitted recently that his arm is tired so Doolittle and Cook could see a few more save chances down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Sean Doolittle to Set-up,  Ryan Cook to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourSean DoolittleRyan CookRyan Cook9/14/13

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Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli blew a one run lead in the 7th inning last night.  He has now given up at least one run in his last three appearances and if he continues to pitch like this, Mark Melancon should continue as closer for the rest of the season. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconJason GrilliKyle FarnsworthJason Grilli9/14/13

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Boston Red Sox – Although it wasn’t a save opportunity on Friday night, the Red Sox used Koji Uehara in the 9th.  All Uehara did was pitch another perfect inning, and he has now gotten out the last 37 batters he has faced.  The MLB record for most consecutive perfect innings is 15.0 and now Uehara is three perfect innings away from breaking that record.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaCraig BreslowJunichi TazawaKoji Uehara9/14/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has a tired arm so Doolittle or Cook could be used on any night.