David Carpenter – Page 4

Doolittle bested by a Trout; seven walks for sorry Brothers

April 16, 2014

Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle blew a save late Tuesday night, courtesy of a Mike Trout home run. No instant alert for this one — they were even anyway — but we’re ready to shuffle Luke Gregerson to the top of the Oakland closer committee. Note also the resurgence of Jim Johnson, who’s pitched five scoreless innings since he was moved out of the ninth inning. Hierarchy change: Luke Gregerson to Closer, Sean Doolittle to Set-up.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
OAK		Luke Gregerson		Sean Doolittle		Ryan Cook		Ryan Cook		4/16/14

Colorado Rockies – Rex Brothers has been awful this year, and Walt Weiss has decided to give the lefty a few days off. Boone Logan, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh on Tuesday night, should reap some high-leverage rewards. For his part, Adam Ottavino has been practically unhittable. Hierarchy change: Adam Ottavino to Set-up, Boone Logan to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
COL		LaTroy Hawkins		Adam Ottavino		Boone Logan		Rex Brothers		4/16/14

Cincinnati Reds — Jonathan Broxton picked up his first save of the year on Tuesday night, cementing his hold on Cincy’s closer job until the return of Aroldis Chapman. On Monday, Chapman threw off a mound for the first time since his injury, and the Reds are cautiously optimistic. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
CIN		Jonathan Broxton		Sam LeCure		Manny Parra		Aroldis Chapman		4/16/14
		Aroldis Chapman (DL)				Sean Marshall (DL)

Chicago White Sox — The Sox signed ex-closer Frank Francisco on Monday and assigned him to their AAA team in Charlotte. With the struggles in the White Sox pen so far, Francisco has a good shot at being this year’s Kevin Gregg. That might be the saddest sentence I’ve ever typed. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
CHW		Matt Lindstrom		Daniel Webb		Maikel Cleto		Nate Jones		4/16/14
						Nate Jones (DL)

Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen pitched a scoreless inning for class-A Dunedin on Tuesday; he’s expected to make two more minor league appearances before returning in about a week. What role he’ll have upon his arrival is still unknown. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
TOR		Sergio Santos		Brett Cecil		Steve Delabar		Sergio Santos		4/16/14
		Casey Janssen (DL)

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Carpenter/Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel is still day-to-day with a sore shoulder.
2. Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri has pitched in four of the last five games, as has Joe Smith, who got blasted on Tuesday.
3. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — It’s Houston, what are you gonna do?
4. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Rick Renteria might call on Strop after demoting Jose Veras. Heck, he might call on Kevin Gregg, or Gregg Olson.
5. Ryan Cook/Dan Otero, Oakland Athletics — Luke Gregerson is most likely to get an A’s save on Wednesday, but these two have a shot.
6. Brian Wilson/J.P. Howell, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has thrown in three of the last four games, including a 25-pitch outing yesterday, and Brian Wilson has returned from the disabled list.

Craig Kimbrel out with sore shoulder; Phillies get an arm back

April 15, 2015

Atlanta Braves – David Carpenter got the save in a wild 9-6 win at Philadelphia – unexpected to everyone except Fredi Gonzalez, who held closer Craig Kimbrel out due to right shoulder soreness that crept up over the weekend. Kimbrel plans to rest for a few days, which means Carpenter is the best bet for saves in the interim. Jordan Walden, who has prior experience as a closer, will also be in the mix. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
ATL		Craig Kimbrel		David Carpenter		Jordan Walden		Craig Kimbrel		4/3/14

Philadelphia Phillies – With both Jonathan Papelbon and Antonio Bastardo unavailable, Jacob Diekman blew the save last night in a wild game against Atlanta that no team seemed to want to win. Before Diekman’s implosion, B.J. Rosenberg made history in the eighth inning when he became the first pitcher in major league history to face three batters and allow three home runs. The Phillies did get some good bullpen news yesterday, however, as Mike Adams is set to be activated off the DL today. He’ll likely slide into the seventh inning for the time being. Hierarchy change: Mike Adams to 2nd in line, replacing B.J. Rosenberg.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
PHI		Jonathan Papelbon		Antonio Bastardo		Mike Adams		Jonathan Papelbon		4/15/14

Oakland A’s –After the Angels’ Ernesto Frieri blew a 3-2 lead in the ninth, Luke Gregerson earned his second save of the season in the bottom half of the inning. Oakland’s committee continues to shine, with Gregerson likely getting the call thanks to the pair of righties due up in the ninth. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
OAK		Sean Doolittle		Luke Gregerson		Ryan Cook		Ryan Cook		4/13/14

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, Oakland A’s – Luke Gregerson picked up his second save of the season on Monday. We’ve still got Doolittle as our listed closer, but until the A’s decide to give Jim Johnson another chance, either of these two could get the call on any given night.
2. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Our preference for saves in Chicago is still Hector Rondon, but with no official word yet from Rick Renteria, Pedro Strop could be the 9th inning option.
3. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – Nearly any Astros reliever could get a 9th inning chance at this point.

Jim Johnson hits the Hot Seat while Josh Fields picks up the first Houston save

April 3, 2014

Atlanta Braves – Jordan Walden might have the closing experience, but through two games of the 2014 season, David Carpenter is the one racking up the 8th inning holds — Carpenter has pitched the 8th in each of the Braves’ first two wins ahead of Craig Kimbrel. Hierarchy change: David Carpenter to Set-up, Jordan Walden to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
ATL		Craig Kimbrel		David Carpenter		Jordan Walden		Craig Kimbrel		4/3/14

.
Cincinnati Reds – J.J. Hoover’s run as the probably-closer will last for only one more week or so. Jonathan Broxton, who pitched in several spring games but started the season on the DL, is getting ready to make his debut, and should be back within a week. Bryan Price has already tapped the hard-throwing righty to close games once he gets settled in. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
CIN		J.J. Hoover		Sam LeCure		Logan Ondrusek		Aroldis Chapman		4/3/14
		Aroldis Chapman (DL)		Jonathan Broxton (DL)		Sean Marshall (DL)

.
Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa pitched the 8th inning on Wednesday night and has been mentioned alongside Edward Mujica as a possible fill-in at closer should Koji Uehara ever go down. We’re big Craig Breslow fans, but he seems destined to be stuck in middle relief this year in Boston. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to 2nd in line, replacing Craig Breslow.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
BOS		Koji Uehara		Edward Mujica		Junichi Tazawa		Koji Uehara		4/3/14

.
Oakland A’s – After taking a loss on Monday, Jim Johnson came on for the save last night and gave up three runs to blow the save. Through two appearances, Johnson’s line is hideous: 1.0 IP, 5 ER, 5H, 3BB, 0 Ks. He’s making a lot of money to be the stopper in Oakland, and thus far, the A’s are still giving him their full support. But a few more outings like this one and they’ll have to turn elsewhere — most likely to hard-throwing lefty Sean Doolittle. Jim Johnson to Hot Seat.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
OAK		Jim Johnson		Sean Doolittle		Luke Gregerson		Ryan Cook		4/3/14
						Ryan Cook (INJ)

.
Houston Astros – Josh Fields picked up the save for the Astros tonight, pitching a sterling 9th after Matt Albers threw a strong 1.1 innings ahead of him. Chad Qualls was nowhere to be found. Fields said for much of the spring that he wanted the job, and Bo Porter has already talked about using Qualls and Albers against lefties, suggesting Fields is the guy when there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning, which should be more often than not. Though this will probably still be a committee on paper, Fields now has the edge and has become the 4th middle reliever from our preseason top 15 to already ascend to a closer position. Hierarchy change: Josh Fields to Closer, Matt Albers to Set-up, Chad Qualls to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
HOU		Josh Fields		Matt Albers		Chad Qualls		Josh Fields		4/2/14
				Jesse Crain (DL)

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – In blowing a save chance in the Cubs’ marathon win yesterday, Jose Veras threw 38 pitches. If he needs the day off today, Strop could get a save chance.
2. Rex Brothers, Colorado Rockies – LaTroy Hawkins threw 36 pitches in a shaky 9th inning yesterday, and might need the day off today.
3. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s – While Jim Johnson is still the closer, Bob Melvin hinted after last night’s blown save that there’s a chance Johnson needs a day off after throwing 29 pitches last night.

2014 NL East bullpen preview

March 11, 2014

Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has been a dominant force for the Braves over the last three years, and Atlanta still has plenty of quality arms surrounding him. Jordan Walden, a competent closer in his own right for the Angels in 2011, should be Kimbrel’s right-hand man, with David Carpenter and lefty Luis Avilan providing valuable late-inning help. Jonny Venters isn’t expected to return from his Tommy John rehab until May or June. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Craig Kimbrel; Set-up — Jordan Walden; 2nd in line — David Carpenter.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
ATL		Craig Kimbrel		Jordan Walden		David Carpenter		Craig Kimbrel		3/11/14

Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek pitched admirably down the stretch for a lousy team, and he’ll open 2014 in the closer role. A.J. Ramos and Mike Dunn are the only other sure things in the Fish pen — unless you count the incorrigible Carlos Marmol. We don’t. Mike Redmond isn’t yet sold on Carter Capps, but the ex-Mariner could work his way into a high-leverage role on the other side of the waves. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Steve Cishek; Set-up — A.J. Ramos; 2nd in line — Mike Dunn.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
MIA		Steve Cishek		A.J. Ramos		Mike Dunn		Steve Cishek		3/11/14

New York Mets – Pencil a healthy Bobby Parnell into the closer’s role, but after that, things get messy in Flushing. Young Vic Black received a vote of confidence at the end of 2013, but in the offseason, the team signed two aging ex-closers: Jose Valverde and Kyle Farnsworth. Neither veteran is a lock to make the roster out of spring training, but with Terry Collins’s affinity for experience in the late innings, we see Valverde and Francisco with an (undeserved) edge over Black and Gonzalez Germen. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Bobby Parnell; Set-up — Kyle Farnsworth; 2nd in line — Jose Valverde.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
NYM		Bobby Parnell		Kyle Farnsworth		Jose Valverde		Bobby Parnell		3/11/14

Philadelphia Phillies – This pen will go from bottom-five to top-five if Jonathan Papelbon is to be believed. On Thursday, Mike Adams will face hitters for the first time since his shoulder surgery, and Antonio Bastardo is coming off a 50-game PED suspension, so if the Phils are to see drastic improvement, it will have to start with the likes of B.J. Rosenberg, Justin De Fratus, and Jake Diekman. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Jonathan Papelbon; Set-up — B.J. Rosenberg (Mike Adams injured); 2nd in line — Justin De Fratus.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
PHI		Jonathan Papelbon		B.J. Rosenberg		Justin De Fratus		Jonathan Papelbon		3/11/14
				Mike Adams (DL)

Washington Nationals – The Nats enjoy the rare luxury of bringing back every member of an unchanged hierarchy. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Rafael Soriano; Set-up — Tyler Clippard; 2nd in line — Drew Storen.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
WAS		Rafael Soriano		Tyler Clippard		Drew Storen		Rafael Soriano		3/11/14

David Carpenter pitching well for Braves

September 15, 2013

Atlanta Braves — One night after Jordan Walden blew an 8th inning lead, the Braves went to David Carpenter ahead of Craig Kimbrel. Jordan Walden has been battling injuries while David Carpenter lowered his ERA to 1.95 with last night’s outing. Hierarchy change: David Carpenter to Set-up, Jordan Walden to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
ATL		Craig Kimbrel		David Carpenter		Jordan Walden		Craig Kimbrel		9/15/13

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Frank Francisco, New York Mets — LaTroy Hawkins has pitched in two straight and three of the past four.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour got the save last night but has a tired arm so Doolittle or Cook could be used tonight.

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