Andrew Bailey pitching well, Matt Guerrier is a boost for Cubs bullpen

July 7, 2013

Boston Red Sox –  Andrew Bailey got the last 2 outs of the 7th inning last night and then stayed on to pitch a scoreless 8th.  Bailey has back to back scoreless outings, recording 2 strikeouts in each appearance.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Bailey to 2nd in line, replacing Andrew Miller.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaJunichi TazawaAndrew BaileyJunichi Tazawa7/7/13

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Chicago Cubs — Recently acquired Matt Guerrier pitched two perfect innings last night ahead of Kevin Gregg to pick up his first hold since being traded to the Cubs. Hierarchy change: Matt Guerrier to 2nd in line, replacing James Russell.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggBlake ParkerMatt GuerrierKevin Gregg7/7/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.
2. Tyler Clippard/Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Rafael Soriano has pitched in three straight.  Clippard has been pitching better but Storen pitched the 8th last night and got the save last time Soriano was unavailable.
3. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica has pitched in three straight and four of the last five.

Jim Johnson blows another save, Oliver Perez picks up save

July 6, 2013

Seattle Mariners — Oliver Perez struck out the side to pick up the save on Friday night.  Tom Wilhelmsen is still the closer as he was warming in the bullpen to come in if there was any trouble.  However, Oliver Perez has pitched extremely well this year and could see some more save opportunities based on match-ups.  Hierarchy change: Oliver Perez to Set-up, Yoervis Medina to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom Wilhelmsen7/6/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson blew his sixth save of the season last night.  Johnson saw his ERA climb over 4 and, with the way Tommy Hunter has been pitching, he could be in danger of losing his job if he continues to pitch poorly. Jim Johnson to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterDarren O’DayJim Johnson7/6/13

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New York Mets – Josh Edgin picked up the save last night.  He got the last out in the 8th inning and then stayed on to finish the game after the Mets added three runs in the top of the 9th.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMBobby ParnellLaTroy HawkinsDavid AardsmaBobby Parnell7/6/13

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Atlanta Braves – The Braves have optioned Cory Gearrin to Triple-A.  Luis Avilan, and his 1.51 ERA, should take over for Gearrin in the late innings.  Hierarchy change: Luis Avilan to 2nd in line, replacing Cory Gearrin.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelJordan WaldenLuis AvilanCraig Kimbrel7/6/13
Eric O’Flaherty (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in three of the last four
2. Ryan Cook, Oakland Athletics – Grant Balfour has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
3. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has appeared in two straight games and three of the last four
4. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.

Drew Storen struggling; Heath Bell may not have Arizona job for long

July 5, 2013

Washington Nationals – Last week, on a night when Rafael Soriano was unavailable, Drew Storen got the save chance over Tyler Clippard, which surprised us, since Storen has generally been the 7th-inning guy for Washington this year, and he hasn’t been particularly good at it.  On Thursday, Storen continued being not particularly good at pitching the 7th, giving up three runs on two home runs, which raised his ERA to 5.40.  A string of good outings might cause Washington to return to their gameplan from last week, whereby Storen jumps ahead of Clippard on nights when Soriano is unavailable, but after last night, we don’t see Storen getting save chances until he straightens himself out.  Hierarchy change: Tyler Clippard to Set-up, Drew Storen to 2nd in line. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
WASRafael SorianoTyler ClippardDrew StorenRafael Soriano7/5/13

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Arizona Diamondbacks – Brad Ziegler picked up a 15th-inning save on Thursday afternoon; he’s not in the picture for saves in Arizona.  However, his save came two innings after Heath Bell blew a 13th-inning opportunity, and with J.J. Putz getting stronger (he’s now appeared three times; two of those appearances were scoreless), Bell could be yanked from the closer role very soon.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellDavid HernandezJ.J. PutzJ.J. Putz7/5/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jose Cisnero, Houston Astros – Jose Veras had to pulled from a game last night with a bruised right pinky.  If he can’t go today, Cisnero is the best bet for the save chance.
2. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has pitched in back to back games and four of the last five.
3. LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell has pitched in back to back games and three of four, throwing 3.2 innings in that span.

Wilhelmsen back to closer role, Crain to DL

July 4, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen picked up a 10th inning save on Wednesday and should resume closing immediately.  Eric Wedge said that he used Wilhelmsen because he liked the match-up so he did not necessarily come out and name him the closer.  However it is clear that the Mariners bullpen is at his best with Wilhelmsen in the closer role so expect him to see the majority of the save opportunities moving forward.   Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Closer, Oliver Perez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenYoervis MedinaOliver PerezTom Wilhelmsen7/3/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Chicago White Sox — The White Sox have placed Jesse Crain on the 15-day DL with a shoulder strain.  Matt Lindstrom ended up taking the loss last night but he has pitched well so far this year and has picked up 9 holds.  He should see more time in the late innings while Crain is out. Hierarchy change: Matt Thornton to Set-up, Matt Lindstrom to 2nd in line, Jesse Crain to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHWAddison ReedMatt ThorntonMatt LindstromAddison Reed7/4/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon got the last two outs of the seventh inning last night before Smyly and Benoit pitched the 8th and 9th.  Rondon’s number in the minors this season were incredible and he looks to be the closer of the future for the Tigers.  Hierarchy change: Bruce Rondon to 2nd in line, replacing Al Alburquerque.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitDrew SmylyBruce RondonBruce Rondon7/4/13

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Houston Astros – The Astros optioned Hector Ambriz to the minors.  Jose Cisnero and Travis Blackley should see time in the set-up role with Ambriz gone..  Hierarchy change: Jose Cisnero to Set-up, Travis Blackley to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose VerasJose CisneroTravis BlackleyJose Veras7/4/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
2. Drew Smyly/Bruce Rondon, Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit has pitched in two straight and hasn’t pitched in three straight yet this season.
3. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
4. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera has pitched in three straight
5. Yoervis Medina/Oliver Perez, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.

Tom Wilhelmsen closing once again

July 3, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen picked up a 10th inning save tonight and will resume closing immediately.  Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Closer, Oliver Perez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenYoervis MedinaOliver PerezTom Wilhelmsen7/3/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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