April 27, 2013
Chicago Cubs – Shouldn’t-be closer Carlos Marmol was unavailable on Friday night, so this was finally a chance for James Russell to award his fantasy owners’ patience and potentially earn his first save of the season. And then Dale Sveum decided to pitch him in the 7th inning, whereupon he threw two pitches, got one out, and was yanked. Kevin Gregg, signed off the street a week ago after being cut from two teams in the past 8 months, was the guy who got the call in the 9th. Sveum still isn’t committing to any one reliever in Kyuji Fujikawa’s absence, so if you’re a crazy person, maybe you want to pick up Kevin Gregg or something. Hierarchy change: Kevin Gregg to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Gregg |Russell |Fujikawa |4/27/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|
Texas Rangers – Tanner Scheppers pitched the 8th inning last night, earning his 5th hold of the season. The young righty has yet to allow a single run this season through 12.2 innings and has become the most likely candidate for saves on nights when Joe Nathan is unavailable. Hierarchy change: Tanner Schepper to Set-up, Robbie Ross to 2nd in line.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Scheppers |Ross |Nathan |4/27/13
Seattle Mariners – Charlie Furbush is showing his potential this season, racking up strikeouts at an impressive rate (14 in just 8 innings so far), but he’s also been a bit wild, having walked nearly a batter per inning. He isn’t seeing many high-leverage situations as of late — he pitched in the 7th inning of a game the Mariners were losing last night — while Carter Capps has picked up two 8th inning holds in Stephen Pryor’s absence. Hierarchy change: Carter Capps to Set-up, Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Capps |Furbush |Wilhelmsen |4/27/13 |Pryor(DL) |
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Matt Thornton/Jesse Crain, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched in three straight. Depending on match-ups, Matt Thornton or Jesse Crain could get the call in the 9th tonight.
2. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera has pitched in two straight and three of the last four, including a 26-pitch outing last night.