Rafael Betancourt returns as Rockies closer; Drew Storen impressive again

August 18, 2013

Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt returned and pitched the ninth inning in a four-run loss; Walt Weiss is on the record saying that the next save chance will belong to the big righthander. Hierarchy change: Rafael Betancourt to Closer, Rex Brothers to Set-up, Matt Belisle to 2nd in line. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRafael BetancourtRex BrothersMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt8/18/13

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Washington Nationals — After Rafael Soriano blew his second save in two days, starter Dan Haren wound up collecting his first career save in the 15th inning, earning the game ball for his trouble. Also for the second straight game, Craig Stammen was held back and used in a longer relief role, while Drew Storen again looked very impressive in set-up, striking out the side in the seventh inning. Hierarchy change: Drew Storen to 2nd in line, replacing Craig Stammen.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
WASRafael SorianoTyler ClippardDrew StorenRafael Soriano8/18/13

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Minnesota Twins — Casey Fien has an astronomical 23.63 ERA over his last three appearances. Hierarchy change: Jared Burton to Set-up, Casey Fien to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins8/18/13

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Seattle Mariners — Oliver Perez allowed six runs, four hits, and two walks in Saturday’s eighth; his struggles continue. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushDanny Farquhar8/18/13

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New York Mets — David Aardsma finally got into a game, but it was to pitch the fourth and fifth innings after the starter got hurt. This may have just been because he was the best-rested option, but we’ll continue to watch whether he has truly fallen out of favor at the back end of the Mets’ bullpen. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsGonzalez GermenDavid AardsmaBobby Parnell8/18/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jose Veras, Detroit Tigers — Joaquin Benoit has pitched in three of the last four games.
2. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals — Rafael Soriano and Tyler Clippard have each pitched in four of the last five games, and Craig Stammen threw three innings last night. Unless the Nationals are planning to bring Dan Haren out again, Storen might get a chance in the ninth sooner than anyone expected.

Chia-Jen Lo starting to look like a closer; Rafael Betancourt due back soon

August 17, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Danny Farquhar bounced back from his rough outing a few days back, earning the save on Friday with a perfect 9th inning.  Behind him, it’s been mostly Yoervis Medina getting the 8th inning as of late, with Charlie Furbush contributing holds here and there.  Oliver Perez isn’t out of the conversation for saves on nights when Farquhar is unavailable, but Medina and Furbush, who combined to get through the 8th on Friday, have been more consistent as of late.  Hierarchy change: Yoervis Medina to Set-up, Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushDanny Farquhar8/15/13

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Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt started his rehab assignment recently, and though Rex Brothers has pitched well in the injured closer’s stead, a Rockies beat writer expects that Betancourt will take over the 9th inning role again upon his return, which will likely be inside a week or so.  No hierarchy change. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleMitchell BoggsRafael Betancourt8/17/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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Houston Astros – The Astros held a two-run lead entering the 9th inning on Friday, and Chia-Jen Lo began warming up.  Houston would tack on four runs in the top of the 9th, ruining the save situation, but Lo would pitch the bottom half anyway, extending his scoreless streak to 7 appearances.  Josh Fields got the first two save chances since Jose Veras’s trade, but Lo got the third and would likely have gotten the fourth last night if there had been one; the Taiwanese righty might be in the driver’s seat for saves now in Houston.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoJosh ZeidJosh Fields8/17/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton/J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in back to back games and five of the last six.
2. Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland closed out both games of the Kansas City doubleheader on Friday.

Gonzalez Germen gets save, Jonathan Broxton pitching well

August 16, 2013

New York Mets — As expected LaTroy Hawkins was given the night off on Thursday.  However, the Mets did not go with David Aardsma, even though he hasn’t pitched since Sunday.  Young right-hander Gonzalez Germen picked up his first career save, pitching a scoreless eighth and ninth with 3 ks.  Hierarchy change: Gonzalez Germen to Set-up, David Aardsma to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsGonzalez GermenDavid AardsmaBobby Parnell8/16/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Cincinnati Reds – Jonathan Broxton got the last two outs of the 8th inning last night with the Reds up 1.  Broxton has now made four scoreless appearances since returning from the DL.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to Set-up,  J.J. Hoover to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanJonathan BroxtonJ.J. HooverJonathan Broxton8/16/13

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Pittsburgh Pirates – Justin Wilson pitched the 7th inning last night with the Pirates down 1.  Tony Watson came on for the 8th after the Pirates tied the game.  In save situations, Watson has come on in the 8th 11 times while Wilson has only been used once.  On another note, Jason Grilli could be back September 1st.  Hierarchy change: Tony Watson to Set-up,  Justin Wilson to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconTony WatsonJustin WilsonJason Grilli8/16/13
Jason Grilli (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Aardsma, New York Mets — If LaTroy Hawkins needs another day off, David Aardsma could get the call as Gonzalez Germen worked two innings last night and has pitched in 2 of the past 3 games.
2. Bruce Rondon/Drew Smyly, Detroit Tigers — Joaquin Benoit has pitched in two straight, including 1.2 innings on Wednesday.
3. Craig Stammen/Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Rafael Soriano and Tyler Clippard have both pitched in three straight.  Drew Storen was just recalled and while Davey Johnson would probably like to ease Storen back into a late inning role, he might need him tonight.

Jim Johnson is back on the Hot Seat

August 15, 2013

Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson blew his third straight save and ninth of the year on Wednesday. Even before the game, the Baltimore Sun was asking its readers whether Johnson should be demoted, with 92% saying yes at the time of this report. Although Buck Showalter insists that he “can’t live in that world,” won’t “shoot the wounded,” and has no intention to give any save opportunities to K-Rod, we’ve heard that tune before. Johnson can’t afford another mistake. Hierarchy change: Francisco Rodriguez to Set-up, Tommy Hunter to 2nd in line, Jim Johnson to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonFrancisco RodriguezTommy HunterJim Johnson8/15/13

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New York Mets — We’re not even going to make a joke about poor LaTroy Hawkins, who took a comebacker to the groin, gave up a game-tying home run, and was feeling the effects well after the game. Ouch. Wear your cup, kids. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsDavid AardsmaScott RiceBobby Parnell8/15/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Toronto Blue Jays — As we expected, Brett Cecil got a shot at a save on Wednesday night; unfortunately for anyone who listened to us, he surrendered a two-run homer to tie the game, then loaded the bases. Never trust a man with two first names. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenBrett CecilSergio SantosSergio Santos8/15/13
Steve Delabar (DL)

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Seattle Mariners — Danny Farquhar had a nightmare ninth inning on Wednesday, falling a home run short of yielding the cycle, all without retiring a single batter. It was his first blown save as Seattle’s closer, though, and he should have some more leeway before he approaches the Hot Seat. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharOliver PerezYoervis MedinaDanny Farquhar8/15/13

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Cleveland Indians — Joe Smith picked up a save in the twelfth inning on Wednesday after Chris Perez gave up a game-tying home run in the tenth. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez8/15/13

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Houston Astros — The latest reliever to leave the Houston organization? Aussie former set-up man Travis Blackley. Meanwhile, Philip Humber, who hadn’t been seen since he gave up 5 runs in less than an inning three months ago, coughed up a one-run lead in the seventh. Did we mention you’re pitching the sixth for the Astros tomorrow? Get to Oakland by 8:30 am; they’ll cover your cab fare from the airport, but no tip. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoJosh ZeidJosh Fields8/15/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Aardsma, New York Mets — LaTroy Hawkins deserves a little rest, don’t you think?

Stalking the rare Houston save, with Chia-Jen Lo

August 14, 2013

Houston Astros — One challenge in figuring out the Houston bullpen is that they win so very rarely — last night’s victory was but their second in August and fifth in over a month. This time, it was Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia-Jen Lo who got the call for the save, although he was inches away from losing the game to a Chris Young home run. It’s likely still a committee arrangement, but we’ll be watching to see if Bo Porter rides Lo again. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoJosh ZeidJosh Fields8/14/13

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Milwaukee Brewers — Rob Wooten had 20 saves at AAA this year, and he’s been used in a couple tight eighth-inning spots over the past week. Meanwhile, John Axford hasn’t gotten a hold since he imploded back in late July. Hierarchy change: Rob Wooten to 2nd in line, replacing John Axford.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonBrandon KintzlerRob WootenJim Henderson8/14/13

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Atlanta Braves — David Carpenter, claimed off waivers last November, has claimed the last two eighth-inning holds and is striking out more than 10 per 9 innings. Hierarchy change: David Carpenter to 2nd in line, replacing Luis Avilan.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelJordan WaldenDavid CarpenterCraig Kimbrel8/14/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman has pitched on three straight days and J.J. Hoover worked 2.1 innings last night.
2. Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen has pitched on three of the last four days, including a horrible outing on Monday.
3. Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen didn’t look sharp last night, following up a four-out save on Monday with control struggles on Tuesday. A day of rest could be in his future.
4. David Purcey/Ramon Troncoso, Chicago White Sox — The top three relievers in Chicago’s pen all threw at least 29 pitches in Tuesday’s extra-inning slog; Purcey is probably the next-best option, with Troncoso as a backup plan.
5. Tommy Hunter, Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson had a very difficult ninth inning last night, blowing a save and hurling 30 pitches.