Jason Grilli nabs a save; Matt Thornton ascending

July 29, 2012

Chicago White Sox – Matt Thornton pitched the 9th inning in a four-run game yesterday, and has picked up two 7th-inning-or-later holds this week.  Meanwhile, Jesse Crain has been a little shaky since returning from the DL, allowing 5 baserunners over 2.1 innings.  Hierarchy change: Matt Thornton to 2nd in line, replacing Jesse Crain.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Myers |Thornton |Reed |7/29/12

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli picked up the save on Saturday.  As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Joel Hanrahan had pitched three days in a row.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Hughes |Hanrahan |7/29/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Marshall, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in back to back games, and four of the last five.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Kevin Jepsen runs scoreless streak to 11 straight outings

July 28, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – Hard-throwing righty Kevin Jepsen pitched the 7th inning last night, and he now has three holds and win this week, all pitching in the 7th inning or later.  Jepsen has not allowed a single run since returning from the minors, a span of 11 appearances.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to 2nd in line, replacing LaTroy Hawkins.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Jepsen |Walden |7/28/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mitchell Boggs, St. Louis Cardinals – Jason Motte has pitched in three straight games, throwing 4 innings in the process.
2. Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan has pitched in three straight.
3. Pedro Strop, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson had a brutal outing yesterday, giving up 6 ERs while only recording one out.  His job is not in jeopardy, but he’s pitched two days in a row, throwing 42 pitches, and could be given the day off today.
4. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek has picked up two saves to Mike Dunn’s one.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.
5. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Brewers to employ closer-by-committee; Darren O’Day rising

July 27, 2012

Baltimore Orioles – Submariner Darren O’Day pitched the 7th inning last night, picking up his 6th hold of the year.  He now has a 2.97 ERA and has been pitching in higher-leverage spots than Matt Lindstrom as of late.  Hierarchy change: Darren O’Day to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Lindstrom.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |O'Day |Johnson |7/27/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Ron Roenicke said on Thursday that the Brewers would go with a closer-by-committee for the time being.  John Axford has pitched well since being removed from the role earlier this summer, and should easily win the job back if he continues to dominate.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |7/27/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek has picked up two saves to Mike Dunn’s one.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

John Axford likely returning to closer role; Francisco Cordero could lose job

July 26, 2012

Houston Astros – Francisco Cordero blew his second save in two days, making him 0/2 since joining the Astros.  After the game, Brad Mills did not say he was removing Cordero from the closer role, only saying that Cordero would not close on Thursday because he’d thrown a lot of pitches over the previous two days.  Cordero remains on the Hot Seat at best, and could be removed from the role entirely soon.  If that happens, Wilton Lopez would take over in the 9th.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Cordero |Lopez |Wright |Lopez |7/26/12

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jared Hughes pitched the 7th inning in a 1-run game on Wednesday, notching his 9th hold.  The righty now has a 1.90 ERA and has picked up three holds this week.  Hierarchy change: Jared Hughes to 2nd in line, replacing Brad Lincoln.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Hughes |Hanrahan |7/26/12

 
Atlanta Braves – Jonny Venters pitched a scoreless 9th inning for the Braves last night.  Kris Medlen was also stellar, throwing 3 clean innings with five strikeouts, but the Braves are looking to stretch him out so he can be a starter down the line.  Hierarchy change: Jonny Venters to 2nd in line, replacing Kris Medlen. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedATL |Kimbrel |O'Flaherty |Venters |Kimbrel |7/26/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez blew his second save in three days on Wednesday, prompting manager Ron Roenicke to say about the closer role: “We’ll talk about it… Tomorrow, we’ll see what we’re going to do.”  While Roenicke wasn’t entirely committal, many Brewers beat writers have already predicted that John Axford, who threw 2 perfect innings with 3 Ks today, will be given the 9th-inning job back tomorrow.  Hierarchy change: John Axford to Closer, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |7/25/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Wilton Lopez, Houston Astros – Francisco Cordero has thrown 57 pitches over the past two days and will have the day off today.

Francisco Rodriguez blows another save, paving way for John Axford’s return

July 25, 2012
Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez just blew his second save in three days, prompting manager Ron Roenicke to say about the closer role: “We’ll talk about it… Tomorrow, we’ll see what we’re going to do.”  While Roenicke wasn’t entirely committal, many Brewers beat writers have already predicted that John Axford, who threw 2 perfect innings with 3 Ks today, will be given the 9th-inning job back tomorrow.  Hierarchy change: John Axford to Closer, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |7/25/12