David Hernandez and Cody Allen record saves

July 13, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – As expected, Brad Ziegler was given the night off on Friday.  However, it was David Hernandez, and not J.J. Putz, who got the save.  J.J. Putz and Heath Bell were used to get through the 8th inning.  Manager Kirk Gibson told Hernandez before the game that he was going to get the call in the 9th so it appears he is ahead of Putz and Bell for saves.   Hierarchy change: David Hernandez to Set-up, J.J. Putz to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerDavid HernandezJ.J. PutzJ.J. Putz7/12/13

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Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen picked up his second save of the season last night as Chris Perez was given the night off after pitching in 5 of the past 6 games.  Cody Allen has 52 ks in 39.2 innings this season and should continue to see save opportunities if Perez is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Cody Allen to Set-up, Joe Smith to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezCody AllenJoe SmithChris Perez7/12/13

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Chicago White Sox – Matt Thornton has been traded to the Boston Red Sox.  Matt Lindstrom and Nate Jones should see time in the set-up role with Thornton gone.  Hierarchy change: Matt Lindstrom to Set-up, Nate Jones to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHWAddison ReedMatt LindstromNate JonesAddison Reed7/12/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in two straight and three of the past four games.

 

Arizona going closer-by-committee; Tom Wilhelmsen struggling

July 12, 2013

Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney had the night off on Thursday, and Jake McGee who got the save in his absence.  The opp likely would’ve gone to Joel Peralta, but Peralta had to be summoned in the 8th inning to bail the Rays out of a sticky situation.  But McGee has been pitching very well lately, having only allowed 3 runs in his last 24.2 innings, and his usage over the past week suggest that he’s basically sharing the set-up role with Peralta at this point.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney7/12/13

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Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has had two rough outings in a row, giving up two runs in a blowout on Wednesday and taking an extra-inning loss on Thursday.  He hasn’t done much to seize back the closer role since being re-appointed earlier this month.  Tom Wilhelmsen to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom Wilhelmsen7/12/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell has lost his hold on the closer’s role, and the D-Backs are going to a closer by committee. Arizona will be playing matchups for the time being, but Brad Ziegler was brought in to close the game tonight, and sports a 2.49 ERA, the best of the relievers in the Arizona pen. He has some experience closing from his days in Oakland, and it is likely that he will be given some opportunities going forward. Former closer J.J. Putz could find himself back in that role as well, as he had pitched the last two games and Gibson ruled him out before the game. Hierarchy change: Brad Ziegler to Closer, replacing Heath Bell.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerJ.J. PutzDavid HernandezJ.J. Putz7/11/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Yoervis Medina, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has had two rough outings in a row, giving up two runs in a blowout on Wednesday and taking an extra-inning loss on Thursday.  He’ll likely get the day off today, as will Oliver Perez, who threw 30 pitches last night.  Medina is the best bet for a save chance tonight.
2. J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks – Brad Ziegler has pitched in three straight, and Putz might be sharing the closer role at this point anyway.  He’s the best bet to get the call tonight.

Bell out as closer, D-Backs to use committee headed by Ziegler

July 11, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell has lost his hold on the closer’s role, and the D-Backs are going to a closer by committee. Arizona will be playing matchups for the time being, but Brad Ziegler was brought in to close the game tonight, and sports a 2.49 ERA, the best of the relievers in the Arizona pen. He has some experience closing from his days in Oakland, and it is likely that he will be given the opportunities going forward. Former closer J.J. Putz could find himself back in that role as well, as he had pitched the last two games and Gibson ruled him out before the game. Hierarchy change: Brad Ziegler to Closer, replacing Heath Bell.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellJ.J. PutzDavid HernandezJ.J. Putz7/11/13

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Kirk Gibson pondering closer change; Steve Delabar picks up first save

July 11, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell blew his second straight save on Wednesday, prompting Kirk Gibson to say about the back end of his bullpen “I’m sure I’ll be up early thinking about it.”  Bell, who is already on the Hot Seat, has been pretty terrible lately, but the upside for the Diamondbacks is that J.J. Putz is looking healthy and was finally given the keys to the 8th inning last night.  He only needed 10 pitches to retire the side in order, and now has logged six appearances (five of them scoreless) since coming off the DL.  Putz could be re-named closer as early as today.  Hierarchy change: J.J. Putz to Set-up, David Hernandez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellJ.J. PutzDavid HernandezJ.J. Putz7/11/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – Steve Delabar picked up a one-out save last night, replacing Casey Janssen, who was struggling to get through the 9th.  Though it was a little odd to see Janssen get yanked in the middle of a save opp, he’s only got one blown save all year.  Maybe the Blue Jays are boosting Delabar’s profile for the ridiculous, all-reliever AL final All Star vote.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos7/11/13
Sergio Santos (DL)

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St. Louis Cardinals – Kevin Siegrist continues to flat-out dominate, as he’s now amassed 17 Ks in 12.1 scoreless innings since being called up.  But it’s Seth Maness who has been getting the call ahead of Trevor Rosenthal and Edward Mujica lately.  After pitching the 7th a few days ago, Maness got the call for the 6th and 7th last night, earning the win.  Hierarchy change: Seth Maness to 2nd in line, replacing Kevin Siegrist.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalSeth ManessJason Motte7/11/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight.
2. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica has pitched in back-to-back games and six of the last seven.

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.