Joba rules the 7th once more; League edges ahead in Los Angeles

September 13, 2012

New York Yankees – For the second straight night, Boone Logan entered in the 7th and failed to retire the hitter he was summoned to face — and for the second straight night, it was Joba Chamberlain who relieved him and finished the inning. Hierarchy change: Joba Chamberlain to 2nd in line, replacing Boone Logan.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Robertson |Chamberlain |Robertson |9/13/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Ronald Belisario pitched the 8th inning with the Dodgers down a run last night. Although Don Mattingly has yet to commit to Brandon League as the interim closer, League’s experience seems to have given him the edge in the platoon. Hierarchy change: Brandon League to Closer, Ronald Belisario to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |League |Belisario |Guerrier |Jansen |9/13/12 |Jansen(INJ) |

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – With J.J. Putz out with an ailing back, David Hernandez picked up his second straight save. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Ziegler |Putz |9/13/12

 
Oakland A’s – As expected, Grant Balfour got the night off after three straight games of work, and it was Ryan Cook summoned for a one-out save. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Doolittle |Cook |9/13/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – Jonathan Broxton had pitched in four of the past five games, so the Reds used young J.J. Hoover in a one-run ninth. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |9/13/12

 
Washington Nationals – Drew Storen nabbed his second save last night, as we predicted, while Tyler Clippard enjoyed a restful evening. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Storen |Burnett |Storen |9/13/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in two straight games and three of the last four, and Philippe Aumont pitched the 8th last night.
2. Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – Two straight outings for Tom Wilhelmsen could give Furbush an opportunity on Thursday.

Jonathan Broxton to see a few save chances with Aroldis Chapman sidelined

September 12, 2012

Cincinnati Reds – After Aroldis Chapman’s last outing, when even his best fastball was clocked several miles per hour slower than it had been all year, the Reds became concerned that the flame throwing lefty may be injured. Fortunately, a scan revealed nothing serious, but Chapman will likely be shut down for a week or so to recover. Jonathan Broxton should see save opportunities in his place over the next few days; he picked up his first National League save of the year on Tuesday. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |9/12/12

 
Philadelphia Phillies – Phillippe Aumont pitched the 8th inning ahead of Jonathan Papelbon for the second time this week. Aumont, a 23-year-old prospect who was closing for the Phillies in AAA also picked up a save last week, and may get another chance or two down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Phillippe Aumont to 2nd in line, replacing Josh Lindblom.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Bastardo |Aumont |Papelbon |9/12/12

 
Houston Astros – Jose Valdez pitched a perfect 8th inning ahead of Wilton Lopez on Tuesday, earning his second hold of the season.  Valdez, a hard-throwing righty, was closing for Houston’s AAA team, where he amassed 66 Ks in 48.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Jose Valdez to 2nd in line, replacing Fernando Rodriguez.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Lopez |Wright |Valdez |Lopez |9/12/12

 
Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour got into trouble in the 9th inning on Tuesday, and Jerry Blevins bailed him out for his first save of the season.  Balfour has been pitching well since returning to the closer role and it’s unlikely that his job is in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Doolittle |Cook |9/12/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman is likely to be sidelined for a week while he regains his arm strength, and Jonathan Broxton should see the majority of save chances in the interim.
2. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has pitched in three straight games.
3. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.  Storen has also appeared in each of those same games, but has thrown far fewer pitches.
4. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League is sharing save chances with Ronald Belisario.
5. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Dale Thayer shaky; random saves for Axford, Luetge, Lopez

August 22, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford earned a one-out save on Tuesday, as the Brewers used three relievers- Axford, Jim Henderson, and Manny Parra- to get through the 9th inning.  Milwaukee’s big messy committee forges on, with Henderson still the most likely to get the save on any given night.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Loe |Axford |8/22/12

 
Seattle Mariners – Lucas Luetge got out of a jam in the 8th inning on Tuesday, then stayed on for the 9th in a four-run game.  Luetge earned his 2nd save of the season because there were several runners on when he was summoned in the 8th– Tom Wilhelmsen’s job remains extremely safe.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Furbush |Luetge |Wilhelmsen |8/22/12

 
San Diego Padres – Dale Thayer blew the save last night, and has now allowed runs in 2 of his 4 appearances since Huston Street hit the disabled list.  If he blows another game, the Padres might give Luke Gregerson a shot at closing until Street returns.  Dale Thayer to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Thayer |Gregerson |Brach |Street |8/22/12 |Street(DL) |

 
San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez picked up his second save in as many days, as the Giants again used him and Sergio Romo to get through the 9th.  Jeremy Affeldt was warming in the bullpen and likely would’ve been summoned had Lopez not induced a double play to end the game.  With the Giants still using a committee, any one of these three could get a save on any given night, though Affeldt remains the best bet.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/22/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched in three 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.

Drew Storen returning to form, picks up save in Tyler Clippard’s absence

August 6, 2012

Washington Nationals – As expected, Tyler Clippard had the day off on Sunday, but it was Drew Storen who got the save chance in his place, while Sean Burnett pitched the 8th.  Burnett has been excellent all season, but the Nats may be trying to use Storen similarly to how the Rangers are using Alexi Ogando– having him get tough outs whenever necessary and fill in for the closer on occasion, while leaving their 8th inning role consistent.  As a result, Storen is probably now the next-best bet for saves in Washington.  Hierarchy change: Drew Storen to Set-up, Sean Burnett to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Storen |Burnett |Storen |8/6/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched two nights in a row and three of the last four, throwing 69 pitches in the process.
2. Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland pitched two innings last night, throwing 46 pitches.
3. 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.

Astros pick Francisco Cordero over Wilton Lopez to close following Myers trade

July 22, 2012

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox acquired Brett Myers from the Astros on Saturday, but Addison Reed will keep his job for the time being, said White Sox GM Kenny Williams.  Myers will pitch in a set-up role and will get save chances on nights when Reed is unavailable.  Also on Saturday, Jesse Crain returned from the disabled list.  He, too, will factor in the late innings for the White Sox.  Hierarchy change: Brett Myers to Set-up, Jesse Crain to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Myers |Crain |Reed |7/22/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Aaron Crow pitched the 8th inning with the Royals up by 2 runs, then stayed on for the 9th after the Royals stretched their lead.  Despite earning his second save of the year, he’s still behind Greg Holland on the Royals depth chart.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |7/22/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Brad Lincoln was summoned in the 8th inning with the Pirates up by 4 runs and several runners on base.  He got out of the jam, then stayed on for the 9th to record his first save of the season.  Lincoln won’t often get a save chance, but with Juan Cruz recently hitting the DL, he will play an increasingly important role in the Pirates bullpen.  Hierarchy change: Brad Lincoln to 2nd in line, replacing Juan Cruz.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Lincoln |Hanrahan |7/22/12

 
Oakland A’s – With Ryan Cook getting the night off after pitching three games in a row, the A’s went to Sean Doolittle, who pitched a clean 9th inning for his first save.  The hard-throwing lefty now has 29 strikeouts in 19.1 innings and has surpassed Jerry Blevins on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Sean Doolittle to 2nd in line, replacing Jerry Blevins.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Doolittle |Cook |7/22/12

 
Houston Astros – The Astros have traded Brett Myers to the Chicago White Sox.  Saturday evening, Astros GM Brad Mills told an MLB.com reporter that Francisco Cordero will close. Wilton Lopez will continue on in his set-up role. Hierarchy change: Francisco Cordero to Closer, Wilton Lopez to Set-up, Wesley Wright to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Cordero |Lopez |Wright |Lopez |7/21/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ronald Belisario, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in the last two games, and four of the past five.
2. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Both Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett have pitched in the last two games, and four of the last five.
3. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn have each picked up one save.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.
4. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.