Steve Cishek closing again for Miami; Juan Cruz healthy again and pitching well

August 18, 2012

Pittsburgh Pirates – Juan Cruz, who returned from the DL a week ago, pitched in the 7th inning last night.  Cruz should return to that role on a regular basis, especially given how shaky Chad Qualls has been lately.  Hierarchy change: Juan Cruz to 2nd in line, replacing Chad Qualls.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Cruz |Hanrahan |8/18/12

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell pitched the 8th while Steve Cishek got the save in the 9th last night.  A little over a week ago Manager Ozzie Guillen said that Bell would get another chance to close this season.  However since those comments Bell has been used in the 7th inning once and 8th inning three times so Guillen has not been saving him for a possible save in the 9th.  Cishek has pitched well as the closer and should continue in that role.  Hierarchy change: Steve Cishek to Closer, Heath Bell to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Bell |Dunn |Bell |8/17/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Steve Cishek gets save over Heath Bell

August 17, 2012

Miami Marlins – Heath Bell pitched the 8th while Steve Cishek got the save in the 9th.  A little over a week ago Manager Ozzie Guillen said that Bell would get another chance to close this season.  However since those comments Bell has been used in the 7th inning once and 8th inning three times so Guillen has not been saving him for a possible save in the 9th.  Cishek has pitched well as the closer and should continue in that role.  Hierarchy change: Steve Cishek to Closer, Heath Bell to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Bell |Dunn |Bell |8/17/12

Ryan Cook could pitch his way back into closer role; Frank Francisco struggling

August 17, 2012

New York Mets – Jon Rauch again bailed out Frank Francisco in the 9th, retiring the only batter he faced for his third save of the season.  Francisco remains on the Hot Seat, and could start losing save chances to Bobby Parnell if he doesn’t get his act together quick.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Parnell |Rauch |Francisco |8/17/12

 
Oakland A’s – Jerry Blevins picked up his 9th hold of the season, pitching parts of the 7th and 8th innings ahead of Ryan Cook and Grant Balfour.  Cook has now had scoreless outings since being demoted, and if Bob Melvin was serious about Cook’s demotion being temporary, then the young righty could win the job back soon.  Grant Balfour, through no fault of his own, is now on notice.  Hierarchy change: Jerry Blevins to 2nd in line, replacing Pat Neshek.  Grant Balfour to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Blevins |Cook |8/17/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Jim Henderson blows second straight, 23rd for Brewers bullpen overall

August 16, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Before Vicente Padilla hit the DL, Andrew Miller was often the man who was summoned just ahead of him, as Bobby Valentine counted on the hard-throwing lefty to get key outs late in the game.  But oddly, that’s changed over the past week, as Miller’s last three appearances have seen him pitch in the 6th inning or earlier.  Andrew Bailey has thrown only 13 pitches in the big leagues so far this year, but given Miller’s recent usage, the righty would probably be thrust right into the closer role if Alfredo Aceves was unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Bailey to Set-up, Andrew Miller to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Bailey |Miller |Bailey |8/16/12 |Padilla(DL) |

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson blew his second straight save on Wednesday, the 23rd blown save for the Brewers bullpen overall.  Ron Roenicke didn’t say anything about the closer role after the game, so Henderson remains on the Hot Seat and virtually anyone is a decent candidate for the next save.  Henderson and John Axford remain the best bets to seize the role for a significant period.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Loe |Axford |8/16/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta/Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney pitched four straight days from Saturday to Tuesday and may be given a second day off to recover.  Joel Peralta also pitched four straight, so Kyle Farnsworth could also get a save chance.

Andrew Bailey returns, could close by season’s end

August 15, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Andrew Bailey returned from the disabled list on Tuesday, striking out one of the two hitters he faced.  Bailey had solid minor league numbers in his rehab appearances, and if he pitches well, he should rise quickly in the Red Sox bullpen.  It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him closing by the end of the year.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Bailey to 2nd in line, replacing Mark Melancon.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Miller |Bailey |Bailey |8/15/12 |Padilla(DL) |

 
Seattle Mariners – Stephen Pryor pitched a clean 1.2 innings last night, earning the win when the Mariners walked off against Fernando Rodney.  The young righty has only allowed 1 run in 10 appearances this season (0.84 ERA) and has 15 Ks and only 3 BBs.  Hierarchy change: Stephen Pryor to 2nd in line, replacing Josh Kinney.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Luetge |Pryor |Wilhelmsen |8/15/12 |Furbush(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays – Both Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta have pitched in four straight games.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.