Stephen Pryor continuing strong season

September 27, 2012

Seattle Mariners – Stephen Pryor pitched the final 1.1 innings for the Mariners on Wednesday, and was saddled with the loss when Torii Hunter drove in the game winning run in the 9th.  But despite the rough outing, Pryor has been stellar as of late, and has been repeatedly trusted in late-inning spots.  Hierarchy change: Stephen Pryor to 2nd in line, replacing Charlie Furbush.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Kinney |Pryor |Wilhelmsen |9/27/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in two straight and four of the last five, and Kevin Jepsen has pitched 4 innings over the past four days.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Kevin Jepsen pitching well in set-up role

September 8, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – Kevin Jepsen pitched the 8th inning ahead of Ernesto Frieri last night, after Scott Downs was unable to record an out in the 7th.  Downs hasn’t been quite as effective as the hard-throwing righty lately, and it’s shown in their usage, as Jepsen has been called on in the 8th inning regularly over the past few weeks.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to Set-up, Scott Downs to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Jepsen |Downs |Frieri |9/8/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonny Venters, Atlanta Braves – Both Craig Kimbrel and Eric O’Flaherty have pitched in three straight.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Alfredo Aceves has terrible outing; Giants closer role still muddled

August 24, 2012

Colorado Rockies – Matt Belisle picked up the save on Thursday, as Rafael Betancourt was given the night off after pitching in three of the previous four games.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Belisle |Brothers |Betancourt |8/24/12

 
San Francisco Giants – The Giants used three relievers to get through the 9th inning on Thursday, and Sergio Romo was the last, as he picked up a two-out save after Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez had both pitched.  Affeldt had a bad outing, failing to retire either hitter he faced.  He remains on the Hot Seat, and there’s no prohibitive favorite to get saves in the Giants bullpen on any given night any more.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/24/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves had one of his worst outings of the season yesterday, surrendering 5 runs in one inning.  He now has a 4.60 ERA, and with Andrew Bailey looming, another blown save or two could cost him his job.  Alfredo Aceves to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Bailey |Padilla |Bailey |8/24/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in three consecutive games, including a marathon 43-pitch inning last night.  He’ll need at least one day off to recover.
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.

Jeremy Affeldt on shaky ground; Scott Downs returns from DL

August 19, 2012

New York Mets – Over his last 21 appearances- a 15-inning stretch- Jon Rauch has only given up one earned run.  He finished off the 8th inning last night, and coupled with his two bail-out saves of Frank Francisco earlier this week, he’s moved past Bobby Parnell on the Mets depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Jon Rauch to Set-up, Bobby Parnell to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |8/19/12

 
San Francisco Giants – After Jeremy Affeldt gave up 2 runs while only recording 2 outs in the 9th inning on Saturday, he was yanked in favor of Clay Hensley, who got the last out for his 3rd save of the season.  Hensley doesn’t factor in to the usual late-inning plans for San Francisco, but with the Giants already using a committee of Affeldt, Sergio Romo, and Javier Lopez, this outing is enough to potentially cost Affeldt future save chances.  Jeremy Affeldt to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/19/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs was activated from the DL on Saturday.  Downs, who has 9 saves on the season, should return to his old set-up role and may occasionally see a save chance as he did before.  Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to Set-up, Kevin Jepsen to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Jepsen |Frieri |8/19/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has pitched in three straight games.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in back-to-back games.  The Reds have been trying to protect his arm and have only used him in three straight twice all season.
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.

Greg Holland to close in KC; deadline moves affect hierarchies for Reds, Cardinals

August 1, 2012

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds acquired Royals closer Jonathan Broxton on Tuesday.  Aroldis Chapman will remain the closer, while Broxton will share the 8th inning role with Sean Marshall.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to 2nd in line, replacing Logan Ondrusek.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Broxton |Madson |8/1/12

 
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals acquired Edward Mujica from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.  Mujica will likely pitch the 7th inning for the Cardinals, which is a role they’ve been trying to fill all season.  Hierarchy change: Edward Mujica to 2nd in line, replacing Victor Marte.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Marte |Motte |8/1/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs was placed on the DL prior to Tuesday’s game.  With a 4-run lead, Kevin Jepsen got out of a jam in the 7th inning before giving way to Jason Isringhausen for the 8th.  Ernesto Frieri pitched the 9th in a non-save situation.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to Set-up, Jason Isringhausen to 2nd in line, Scott Downs to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Jepsen |Isringhausen|Walden |8/1/12 |Downs(DL) |

 
Boston Red Sox – Franklin Morales got a 1-out save in the 6th inning on Tuesday, retiring a hitter before the tarp came out.  The game was never resumed, and Morales was awarded one of the more bogus saves of the season.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Padilla |Miller |Bailey |8/1/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
San Francisco Giants – After pitching three of the last four games, including a blown save on Monday, Santiago Casilla was given the night off.  In a 3-run game, Jeremy Affeldt pitched the last two innings for his second save of the year.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |8/1/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Kansas City Royals – The Royals have traded closer Jonathan Broxton to the Cincinnati Reds, where he will serve as a set-up man.  Greg Holland will inherit the closer job in Kansas City, said Royals manager Ned Yost, though Aaron Crow will be nipping at Holland’s heels if he struggles.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Closer, Aaron Crow to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Crow |Herrera |Holland |7/31/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. 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.