Brandon League to return to closer role soon; Jason Grilli ascending

June 11, 2012

Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day picked up his 4th win of the year on Sunday, pitching a scoreless frame in the 10th inning.  The submariner now has a 1.78 ERA and has shown that he can consistently get both righties and lefties out.  Hierarchy change: Darren O’Day to 2nd in line, replacing Luis Ayala.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |O'Day |Johnson |6/11/12

 
Seattle Mariners – Before Sunday’s game, Eric Wedge said that he’d likely put Brandon League back in the closer role “sooner rather than later.”  Tom Wilhelmsen has performed well in the role since League’s demotion– and League got knocked around a bit on Sunday– but it sounds as if Wilhelmsen will inevitably move back to a set-up role once Wedge reinstalls his former closer.  Tom Wilhelmsen to Hot Seat.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |League |Furbush |League |6/11/12

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Up until Sunday, the Pirates had used Jason Grilli exclusively in the 8th inning, vaulting Juan Cruz from his 7th inning role into the closer role on nights when Joel Hanrahan was unavailable.  But yesterday, with Hanrahan getting the night off, the Pirates finally gave Grilli a save opp, and he converted.  Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up, Juan Cruz to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Cruz |Hanrahan |6/11/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs picked up the save last night, but looked a bit shaky, giving up his first earned run of the season.  Since Ernesto Frieri got his first opportunity, the Angels have given Downs three save chances, while Frieri has gotten four.  While there’s no end in sight to the platoon, Frieri still stands to get a few more opportunities than Downs.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Walden |Walden |6/11/12 

 
Milwaukee Brewers – After John Axford got in trouble in the 9th inning on Sunday, Jose Veras came on and got the last out, recording his first save of the season.  Axford has struggled in non-save situations this year, but is 10/11 in save chances and is not in danger of losing his job.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |6/11/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Burnett/Brad Lidge, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched in three straight, and in five of the last six.
2. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 4 of the last 7 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.

Dale Thayer struggling; Jesse Crain, Francisco Cordero now setting up

May 31, 2012

San Diego Padres – Pitching in a tie game on Wednesday, Dale Thayer gave up a walk off home run to Darwin Barney.  In his last two outings, Thayer has given up 7 earned runs in just 1.2 innings.  Dale Thayer to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Thayer |Cashner |Gregerson |Street |5/31/12 |Street(DL) |

 
Chicago White Sox – Jesse Crain continues to dominate hitters, with a 1.26 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, and he picked up his second consecutive 8th inning hold last night.  Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to Set-up, Matt Thornton to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Crain |Thornton |Reed |5/31/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays – His ERA is still ugly due to some awful outings earlier in the year, but Francisco Cordero has been solid since being demoted from the closer role, holding the opposition scoreless in 10 out of 11 outings.  He pitched the 8th inning last night- setting up for Casey Janssen- his second such appearance in a row.  Hierarchy change: Francisco Cordero to Set-up, Jason Frasor to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Cordero |Frasor |Santos |5/31/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz arrived at the ballpark with a sore back yesterday and wasn’t able to pitch.  David Hernandez got the save in his place.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |5/31/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched in four straight games.
2. Jose Veras, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has pitched in four straight, and ace set-up man Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three straight. If the Brewers have a late lead, they’ll probably play match-ups, with Jose Veras having the best shot at nabbing the save.