David Robertson and Sergio Santos pick up saves

September 28, 2013

New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera got the night off after his emotional final outing in Yankee Stadium.  David Robertson retired the Astros in order (which isn’t hard to do) for his 3rd save of the season.  There are rumors that Mariano could play center field this weekend so Robertson could see more saves.  No hierarchy change.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYY Mariano Rivera David Robertson Shawn Kelley David Robertson 9/28/13
      Boone Logan (INJ)    

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Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos came on in the 8th inning with the bases loaded and one out and the Blue Jays up 4.  He got a double play to get out of the inning and then stayed on for the 9th to pick up his first save of the season. No hierarchy change.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TOR Casey Janssen Sergio Santos Steve Delabar Casey Janssen 9/28/13

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Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez is officially out as closer, and will be replaced by a committee of relievers that includes most of the bullpen.  Former No. 1 starter Justin Masterson, recovering from an oblique injury, is among the best bets for the 9th inning, as mentioned this morning.  Joe Smith is neck-and-neck with Masterson, with Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw close behind.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Closer, Justin Masterson to Set-up.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLE Joe Smith Justin Masterson Cody Allen Chris Perez 9/27/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Gregg, Chicago Cubs – The Cubs could go with Gregg or Strop if they have a save opportunity tonight.
2. David Robertson, New York Yankees – The Yankees may play Mariano Rivera in center field so Robertson could be the closer the rest of this weekend.

Joe Smith, Justin Masterson leading Indians committee into postseason

September 27, 2013

Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez is officially out as closer, and will be replaced by a committee of relievers that includes most of the bullpen.  Former No. 1 starter Justin Masterson, recovering from an oblique injury, is among the best bets for the 9th inning, as mentioned this morning.  Joe Smith is neck-and-neck with Masterson, with Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw close behind.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Closer, Justin Masterson to Set-up.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEJoe SmithJustin MastersonCody AllenChris Perez9/27/13

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Chris Perez has another terrible outing

September 27, 2013

Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez got the dreaded “vote of confidence” from Terry Francona after a blown save on Tuesday, and followed it up on Thursday by getting shelled in a non-save opp.  Joe Smith is the best bet for saves if yesterday’s outing costs Perez his job for the remainder of the season.  Recently converted starter Justin Masterson is also an option. Chris Perez to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez9/27/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Gregg, Chicago Cubs – Pedro Strop got the opp earlier this week, but Gregg picked up another save on Wednesday.  Either one could get the call next time the Cubs have a save chance.
2. Jose Veras, Detroit Tigers – Prior to the Tigers’ offday yesterday, Joaquin Benoit had pitched in three straight.  They might give him another day off to make sure he’s totally fresh for the postseason.
3. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Some are clamoring for Mariano Rivera’s Thursday night appearance in Yankee Stadium to be his last outing ever, saying he should sit out the Houston series.  If he listens, David Robertson will start his career as the new Yankee closer a few days early.

Saves for Black and Rosenthal

September 25, 2013

New York Mets — With LaTroy Hawkins tired and unavailable, Vic Black got the call for his first major league save on Tuesday night. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsVic BlackFrank FranciscoBobby Parnell9/25/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Texas Rangers — Thanks to a reader for pointing this out: Joe Nathan triggered his free agent clause by closing his 55th game last week, allowing him to void his $9 million team option for 2014 and seek a longer deal.  Our gut feeling is that he stays in Arlington to close next year, but if he ends up somewhere else, we see Tanner Scheppers as the Rangers’ 2014 closer — if you’re playing the long game. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TEXJoe NathanJoakim SoriaTanner ScheppersJoe Nathan9/25/13

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St. Louis Cardinals — Two games, two post-Mujica save chances, two saves for Trevor Rosenthal — and on a combined 13 pitches. The young righty continues to impress. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLTrevor RosenthalKevin SiegristCarlos MartinezJason Motte9/25/13

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Tampa Bay Rays — Jake Odorizzi picked up a three-inning save on Tuesday as the Rays shut out the Yankees. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney9/25/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Matt Lindstrom, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched on three of the last four days, and he hasn’t been too sharp either. Nate Jones was called upon for five outs on Tuesday, so Lindstrom could get a chance at his first save of the year.
2. Yoervis Medina, Seattle Mariners — Danny Farquhar has pitched in three straight games.
3. Jose Veras, Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit has also pitched in three of the last four, with 41 pitches in the last two nights.
4. Vic Black, New York Mets — You know the saying: once you go Black, you find it hard to return to a fatigued 40-year-old journeyman with a .266 batting average against. If LaTroy Hawkins is still tired, Black could get his second career save on Wednesday.
5. Kevin Siegrist/Carlos Martinez/John Axford, St. Louis Cardinals – If this is really a closer committee, one of the other members could get the next save.

An unsettled bullpen for the Cardinals’ stretch run

September 24, 2013

St. Louis Cardinals — Over the weekend, the Cardinals demoted Edward Mujica from the closer role in favor of a committee, and on Monday night, erstwhile set-up man Trevor Rosenthal picked up its first save. Other possible committee members include Carlos Martinez, former closer John Axford, and lefty Kevin Siegrist — who got the first out of the ninth on Monday and hasn’t given up a run in nearly two months. Hierarchy change: Trevor Rosenthal to Closer, Kevin Siegrist to Set-Up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLTrevor RosenthalKevin SiegristCarlos MartinezJason Motte9/24/13

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Tampa Bay Rays — After nearly three months on the disabled list, All-Star set-up man Jesse Crain was finally activated on Monday. If he’s truly healthy, he should soon pass Jake McGee as Tampa’s top seventh-inning option. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney9/24/13

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Houston Astros — One week into our prediction, Josh Fields and your mother are tied in recent saves, and she has a decided advantage over his recent 2.00 WHIP. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsJosh ZeidKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/24/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Siegrist/Carlos Martinez/John Axford, St. Louis Cardinals — As the Cardinals head into the postseason, their ninth innings will be handled by a potentially crowded committee.
2. Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has pitched in back-to-back games, including a 27-pitch outing last night.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins was used for two innings (27 pitches) on Monday night.