August 3, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Prior to Friday’s game, Robby Thompson said that he’d go to a closer-by-committee, mentioning lefties Charlie Furbush and Oliver Perez, and righties Yoervis Medina and Danny Farquhar.  Friday’s game offered no clues into who gets first crack, as the Mariners lost and used only Brandon Maurer in relief, but over the last several weeks, Furbush has been, unquestionably, the 8th inning guy.  The set-up man doesn’t always ascend to the role, though, and Perez and Medina are the relievers who have gotten odd save opps earlier this season; they could jump him in the hierarchy as a result, particularly since Thompson is an interim manager, and may not want to give someone new (Furbush) a chance.  Farquhar, meanwhile, has been brilliant lately, but we rank him fourth among the potential options in Seattle.  Hierarchy change: Oliver Perez to Closer, Yoervis Medina to Set-up, Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
SEA		Oliver Perez		Yoervis Medina		Charlie Furbush		Tom Wilhelmsen		8/2/13
				Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Houston Astros – The Houston Astros got their first save opportunity since the Jose Veras trade and four relievers combined to blow two late inning leads.  Unfortunately that doesn’t tell us much about what is going to happen moving forward.  Jose Cisnero started the 8th inning facing the top of the Twins lineup and promptly gave up 3 hits and a run to tie the game.  Wesley Wright and Josh Fields combined to finish the 8th.  The Astros took the lead again in the top of the 9th.  Fields stayed on to start the 9th but gave up a leadoff walk.  Chia-Jen Lo came on with 1 out and gave up the tying run.  The most notable absence in all this was Travis Blackley, but other than that it is hard to know who Bo Porter will go to next time since all his relievers failed him this time.   Hierarchy change: Jose Cisnero to Closer, Chia-Jen Lo to Set-up, Josh Fields to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
HOU		Jose Cisnero		Chia-Jen Lo		Josh Fields		Jose Cisnero		8/3/13

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New York Mets – With Bobby Parnell unavailable last night, the Mets went with David Aardsma in the 9th.  Unfortunately for the Mets, Aardsma was unable to get the job done.  Bobby Parnell will be unavailable on Saturday as well and even though he blew his first opportunity, we would not be surprised if the Mets gave Aardsma another shot.  Hierarchy change: David Aardsma to Set-up, LaTroy Hawkins to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
NYM		Bobby Parnell		David Aardsma		LaTroy Hawkins		Bobby Parnell		8/3/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Aardsma/LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell will not be available to pitch tonight and Mets could give Aardsma another shot or they could go with Hawkins, who has been their 8th inning man.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight and three of the past four.
3. Yoervis Medina/Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – The Mariners are going with a closer-by-committee so they could go with Medina or Furbush on any night.