Rafael Betancourt could be on a short leash; Tommy Hunter picks up save

August 22, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt’s third outing since returning from the DL ended in a blown save.  Betancourt has been reliable all year, and had posted two scoreless appearances since his return.  But he’s also 38 years old, and the Rockies are well out of the playoff race.  With Rex Brothers flourishing in Betancourt’s absence, the Rockies might not need much incentive to turn the keys over to their future closer.  Rafael Betancourt to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRafael BetancourtRex BrothersMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt8/22/13

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Detroit Tigers – Jose Veras got the last out of the 8th inning in a three-run game on Wednesday, then stayed on for the 9th after the Tigers put the game out of reach.  He picked up his 20th save of the season in the process, but is not a threat to Joaquin Benoit.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras8/22/13

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Baltimore Orioles – In a wild 9th inning, Buck Showalter first left Darren O’Day on the mound to try to get the first out, and then yanked him in favor of Brian Matusz after the submariner allowed the first runner to reach.  Matusz walked the only hitter he faced before being pulled in favor of Tommy Hunter, who worked his way through the remainder of the inning to earn the save.  Postgame, Showalter gave no endorsement to embattled closer Jim Johnson, saying the Orioles would do what they could to win the rest of the way.  Given Hunter’s successful outing tonight, he’s probably the best player to add, though Francisco Rodriguez, Matusz, O’Day, and Johnson could all be in the mix.  Hierarchy change: Tommy Hunter to Closer, Jim Johnson to Set-up, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterJim JohnsonFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/21/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched in back to back games and on five of the last six days.
2. J.J. Hoover/Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman threw 35 pitches in a two-inning appearance last night.
3. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera pitched in both ends of Tuesday’s doubleheader, and also picked up a save last night.

Tommy Hunter gets save as Jim Johnson looks on from bench

August 21, 2013

Baltimore Orioles – In a wild 9th inning, Buck Showalter first left Darren O’Day on the mound to try to get the first out, and then yanked him in favor of Brian Matusz after the submariner allowed the first runner to reach.  Matusz walked the only hitter he faced before being pulled in favor of Tommy Hunter, who worked his way through the remainder of the inning to earn the save.  Postgame, Showalter gave no endorsement to embattled closer Jim Johnson, saying the Orioles would do what they could to win the rest of the way.  Given Hunter’s successful outing tonight, he’s probably the best player to add, though Francisco Rodriguez, Matusz, O’Day, and Johnson could all be in the mix.  Hierarchy change: Tommy Hunter to Closer, Jim Johnson to Set-up, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterJim JohnsonFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/21/13

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The Angels bullpen still looks like a platoon

August 21, 2013

Los Angeles Angels — True to his word, Mike Scioscia used Dane de la Rosa before Ernesto Frieri in a tied game on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see who gets the next save opportunity. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAADane de la RosaErnesto FrieriKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/21/13

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Texas Rangers — Although Joakim Soria is not being used in a conventional set-up role, we think he still has the best shot at saves if something happens to Joe Nathan. Meanwhile, Neftali Feliz is back to his Triple-A rehab assignment. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TEXJoe NathanJoakim SoriaTanner ScheppersJoe Nathan8/21/13

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Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt got his first save since his emergency appendectomy in a 1-2-3 ninth. No hierarchy change. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRafael BetancourtRex BrothersMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt8/21/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Robertson, New York Yankees — 43-year-old Mariano Rivera pitched in both ends of Tuesday’s doubleheader, and Toronto has lost 7 of their last 10, by an average of two runs per loss.
2. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — It’s been three straight outings for Fernando Rodney, and four days out of five.
3. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox — Addison Reed has also pitched on four of the last five days, with his only day off coming on Monday, when Chicago didn’t play.

Bryan Shaw moving up in Cleveland, and welcome back, Brian Wilson!

August 20, 2013

Cleveland Indians — Bryan Shaw finished the seventh to pick up his ninth hold of the year, and third in his last eight appearances. Cody Allen, on the other hand, has only one hold in his last 16 games. Hierarchy change: Bryan Shaw to 2nd in line, replacing Cody Allen.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithBryan ShawChris Perez8/20/13

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Los Angeles Dodgers — Brian Wilson joined the crowded Dodgers bullpen on Monday, where he will wear #00 and battle Carlos Marmol and Brandon League to be king of the disgraced former closers. He may yet do so without his famed beard, if an upstart razor company has its way. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezRonald BelisarioKenley Jansen8/20/13

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Milwaukee Brewers — Brandon Kintzler had a very bad night on Monday, giving up six singles and four runs on his way to a blown save. This is merely an aberration in a very good season; hitters had managed only a .202 average against him before last night. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonBrandon KintzlerRob WootenJim Henderson8/20/13

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Houston Astros — Infielder Jake Elmore pitched the eighth inning of an 11-run blowout last night, retiring three Rangers in order and quite possibly earning the next shot at an Astros save. Hierarchy change: Jake Elmore to 2nd in line, replacing Kevin Chapman. Okay, just kidding. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields8/20/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ernesto Frieri, Los Angeles Angels – Dane de la Rosa and Ernesto Frieri are sharing the closing duties; Frieri could get the call on any night.

Kevin Chapman and JJ Putz record saves, Frieri pitching better

August 19, 2013

Houston Astros — Kevin Chapman got the last two outs on Sunday to pick up the save for the Astros.  Chapman is a left- hander who has only pitched a full inning once in his seven appearances since getting called up.  He is not a threat to take the job full time but he could see an occasional save opportunity based on match-ups. Hierarchy change: Kevin Chapman to 2nd in line, replacing Josh Zeid.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields8/19/13

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Los Angeles Angels – Manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday that both Dane de la Rosa and Ernesto Frieri will get save opportunities moving forward.  De la Rosa has not allowed a run yet in August but if Frieri continues to pitch well he could take the job back full time. Hierarchy change: Ernesto Frieri to Set-up, Kevin Jepsen to 2nd in line. Dane de la Rosa to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAADane de la RosaErnesto FrieriKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/19/13

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Arizona Diamondbacks – J.J. Putz recorded the save in the 16th inning yesterday after closer Brad Ziegler threw two scoreless innings for the win. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerJ.J. PutzHeath BellJ.J. Putz8/19/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ernesto Frieri, Los Angeles Angels — Dane de la Rosa and Ernesto Frieri are sharing the closing duties so Frieri could get the call on any night.