Dane De La Rosa picks up first career save

August 10, 2013

Los Angeles Angels — Dane De La Rosa picked up his first career save on Friday.  Ernesto Frieri has not pitched since Tuesday so he should have been well rested.  However, manager Mike Scioscia clearly does not trust Frieri right now as he has given up a total of 12 runs in his last 7 appearances.  De La Rosa has not allowed a run yet in August and could be close to replacing Frieri as closer.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane De La RosaKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/10/13

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Baltimore Orioles — Tommy Hunter pitched the 10th inning to pick up the save last night.  Jim Johnson blew the save in the 9th but Francisco Rodriguez was still available.  It looks like Tommy Hunter is the best option to pick up saves for the Orioles if Johnson is unavailable. Hierarchy change: Tommy Hunter to Set-up, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/10/13

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Texas Rangers –Neal Cotts came on to get the last out of the 8th inning with the Rangers up 3.  The Rangers added two more runs in the top of the 9th so Cotts stayed on to finish the game and notched his first save of the season. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TEXJoe NathanJoakim SoriaTanner ScheppersJoe Nathan8/10/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dane De La Rosa, Los Angeles Angels — Dane De La Rosa picked up the save last night and with Ernesto Frieri struggling, the Angels could call on De La Rosa again.

Chad Qualls is struggling in Miami; Luke Hochevar picks up a save

August 9, 2013

Miami Marlins — Chad Qualls was awful for the third straight game, loading the bases without getting any outs. Mike Dunn relieved him and has been much more effective lately. Hierarchy change: Mike Dunn to Set-up, Chad Qualls to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekMike DunnChad QuallsSteve Cishek8/9/13

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Kansas City Royals — Luke Hochevar got the last out of the eighth and stayed on for the ninth after the Royals scored two, earning a four-out save. Hochevar’s numbers are excellent, but the Kansas City bullpen is packed. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowKelvin HerreraGreg Holland8/9/13

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Josh Fields has rough outing; Jonathan Broxton returns

August 8, 2013

Houston Astros – Just a week and a half ago, Jose Cisnero was almost everyone’s pick to close for Houston after the trade of Jose Veras.  Now, after another rough outing yesterday, Cisnero is headed to the minors.  Also in Astros news, Josh Fields followed up a dominant first save chance with a hideous second appearance, as he gave up 3 runs in the 9th inning to the Astros.  Though he was never officially the full time closer, last night’s drubbing will make it less likely that he gets the next save chance.  If he does get passed over next time, Chia-Jen Lo is the next best candidate; he’s got a 0.00 ERA through 4 innings.  Hierarchy change: Josh Zeid to 2nd in line, replacing Jose Cisnero.  Josh Fields to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoJosh ZeidJosh Fields8/8/13

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Cincinnati Reds – Jonathan Broxton was activated from the DL yesterday.  Given his past closing experience, he’ll likely be considered for any saves when Aroldis Chapman is unavailable, but he’ll have to show something formidable to unseat J.J. Hoover from the set-up role, as Hoover has now thrown 21.2 consecutive scoreless innings.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to 2nd in line, replacing Manny Parra.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanJ.J. HooverJonathan BroxtonJonathan Broxton8/7/13

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LaTroy Hawkins and Josh Fields are first in line; Ernesto Frieri awful again

August 7, 2013

Houston Astros — On Tuesday night, Jose Cisnero entered the game with two on and one out in the sixth inning, his team trailing by three — a vitally important spot in the game. Unfortunately for Cisnero and the Astros, he immediately surrendered a three-run homer, then scattered three walks and a solo shot among three retired batters. The Astros are still closing by committee, but we have to acknowledge that Josh Fields has the best shot at the next save opportunity, with Chia-Jen Lo also moving in front of the struggling Cisnero. Hierarchy change: Josh Fields to Closer, Chia-Jen Lo to Set-up, Jose Cisnero to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoJose CisneroJosh Fields8/7/13

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New York Mets — Although LaTroy Hawkins is best-positioned to pick up saves in Bobby Parnell’s absence, Terry Collins plans to use a committee of sorts, which will apparently include every reliever on the team except Scott Atchison. The lefty most likely to pick up a matchup-based save is Scott Rice. Hierarchy change: Scott Rice to 2nd in line, replacing Scott Atchison.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsDavid AardsmaScott RiceBobby Parnell8/7/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri’s struggles continue, this time to the tune of four straight two-out singles that turned a two-run deficit into a five-run hole. The Hot Seat in Anaheim blazes on, with 2-13 Joe Blanton somehow the Angels’ most effective reliever over the past two weeks. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/7/13

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Cincinnati Reds — While J.J. Hoover has picked up three high-leverage eighth-inning holds over the past nine days, Sam LeCure has been consistently used with the team behind, including in a four-run, five-hit debacle on Sunday. Hierarchy change: J.J. Hoover to Set-up, replacing Sam LeCure.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanJ.J. HooverManny ParraJonathan Broxton8/7/13
Jonathan Broxton (DL)

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Seattle Mariners — Tom Wilhelmsen was sent down to AAA Tacoma on Tuesday, and should no longer be considered the favorite to close in Seattle next season. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharOliver PerezYoervis MedinaDanny Farquhar8/7/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Justin De Fratus, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in three of four games, and threw 30 pitches on Tuesday, in a three-run outing complicated by a Domonic Brown error.
2. John Axford, Milwaukee Brewers — Jim Henderson got a four-out save on Tuesday and Brandon Kintzler has thrown on three straight days.

LaTroy Hawkins gets first save in Bobby Parnell’s absence

August 6, 2013

New York Mets – With Bobby Parnell on the DL, the first Mets save went to LaTroy Hawkins, who pitched a scoreless 9th.  David Aardsma got a save opp over the weekend, but blew it, and gave up the go-ahead run in extra innings the following night, so given Hawkins’s success tonight, the ageless righty is the best bet for the bulk of saves in the Mets bullpen.  Hierarchy change: LaTroy Hawkins to Closer, David Aardsma to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsDavid AardsmaScott AtchisonBobby Parnell8/6/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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