Heath Bell struggles; Oakland committee humming along

April 14, 2014

Milwaukee Brewers – With Francisco Rodriguez and Jim Henderson both getting the night off, lefty Will Smith was summoned for the one-out save chance, striking out the only man he faced on three pitches.  He’s the slickest they is, but he’s unlikely to get any more save opportunities while K-Rod and Henderson are both sporting 0.00 ERAs.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
MILFrancisco RodriguezJim HendersonWill SmithJim Henderson4/14/14
Brandon Kintzler (DL)

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Tampa Bay Rays – A day after Jake McGee got an 8th hold inning for the Rays, Heath Bell was called upon to pitch in the 7th of a game that the Rays were losing by four.  Bell didn’t help matters, allowing two earned runs and raising his season ERA to 5.40.  His peripherals aren’t great so far, either, and at age 36, he’s got to start proving that he still belongs.  Hierarchy change: Jake McGee to 2nd in line, replacing Heath Bell.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TBGrant BalfourJoel PeraltaHeath BellGrant Balfour4/14/14

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Texas Rangers – Joakim Soria was unavailable after pitching in back to back games, so Alexi Ogando got the save in his place.  With Neftali Feliz still in the minors, Ogando would have little competition for the closer gig should something happen to Soria.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TEXJoakim SoriaAlexi OgandoNeal CottsJoakim Soria4/14/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, Oakland A’s – On Saturday, Sean Doolittle got the 8th and Luke Gregerson got the 9th. Roles were reversed on Sunday, and both times, the duo got it done. 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. B.J. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Phillies – Both Jonathan Papelbon and Antonio Bastardo have pitched in three straight.

A’s call on Gregerson, Bass gets save for Astros

April 13, 2014

Oakland A’s –Luke Gregerson picked up the first save for Oakland since Jim Johnson was removed as closer.  Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect 8th and also got the first out of the 9th before Gregerson came on to finish the game.  Tonight’s usage was likely matchup-driven, as there were 2 lefties and a switch hitter due up in the 8th inning.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKSean DoolittleLuke GregersonRyan CookRyan Cook4/13/14

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Houston Astros – It seems like every pitcher in the Astros bullpen (except, of course, Matt Albers, who has pitched the best) gets a chance to close out games.  Manager Bo Porter went to Kevin Chapman for the 9th inning with the Astros up 1, and he promptly gave up the game-tying home run on his 2nd pitch.  Anthony Bass ended up getting the save in the 10th inning.   Bass now has 2 saves (which is more than the 1 K he has on the season), but it’s hard to say that he is the guy moving forward.  If you have a bunch of free roster spots, go ahead and pick up everybody in the Astros bullpen.  Otherwise, pick your favorite and hope for the best.  Hierarchy change: Anthony Bass to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Albers.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChad QuallsAnthony BassJosh Fields4/11/14
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara was unavailable yesterday, but could attempt long toss today before the Red Sox decide if he needs to go back to Boston for further tests.  Edward Mujica will be the closer while Uehara is out.   No Hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaEdward MujicaJunichi TazawaKoji Uehara4/13/14

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Philadelphia Phillies – Antonio Bastardo pitched a scoreless 8th inning in a tie game last night.  His numbers aren’t very impressive on the young season (6 walks vs. only 4 Ks, in 6.1 innings) but he has pitched the 8th in each of his last 3 appearances.  If anything happens to Papelbon, it looks like Bastardo could get the first shot to close.   Hierarchy change:  Antonio Bastardo to Set-up, B.J. Rosenberg to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoB.J. RosenbergJonathan Papelbon4/13/14
Mike Adams (DL)

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Milwaukee Brewers – Brandon Kintzler has been placed on the DL.  Will Smith has been getting jiggy with it so far this year, throwing 6 scoreless innings with 8 Ks, and could see more time in the later innings.  Hierarchy change: Will Smith to 2nd in line, Brandon Kintzler  to DL

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
MILFrancisco RodriguezJim HendersonWill SmithJim Henderson4/13/14
Brandon Kintzler (DL)

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Chicago Cubs — Rick Renteria announced that Jose Veras will be moved from the closer role, and Cubs save situations going forward will be matchup-dependent. As we mentioned earlier today, Hector Rondon has been pitching great and would be our pick to close — but unfortunately for him, he’s pitched the last three days (and four of the last five), and is almost certainly unavailable today. If there’s a save situation today that goes to Pedro Strop, Strop just might get the opportunity to make the job his own. We’ll be watching closely. Hierarchy change: Hector Rondon to Closer, Pedro Strop to Set-Up, Justin Grimm to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCHector RondonPedro StropJustin GrimmHector Rondon4/12/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica, Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara is day-to-day with shoulder tightness, and Mujica will close if Uehara can’t go today.
2. Luke Gregerson, Oakland Athletics — Luke Gregerson could get the call based on matchups.
3. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers — K-Rod has pitched three games in a row.
4. Pedro Strop/Justin Grimm, Chicago Cubs — The Cubs will could use Rondon, Strop or Grimm based on the matchup.
5. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – The Astros have made it pretty clear so far that anybody in their bullpen could be used to close out a game.

 

 

Luke Hochevar: Crummy starter, ace reliever

September 8, 2013

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour threw 37 pitches in his Friday outing, so the A’s went to Sean Doolittle in the 9th on Saturday, and the lefty picked up his first save.  Doolittle continues to share the 8th inning role with Ryan Cook.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook9/8/13

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Philadelphia Phillies – Jacob Diekman finished the 8th inning ahead of Jonathan Papelbon on Saturday.  After a tough stretch in late July and early August, the lefty has only allowed one run in his last 11.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Jacob Diekman to Set-up, B.J. Rosenberg to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonJacob DiekmanB.J. RosenbergJonathan Papelbon9/4/13

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Kansas City Royals – Luke Hochevar got the call in the 7th inning yesterday, and stayed on to finish off the 8th.  In recent weeks, the converted starter has seized control of the 8th-inning job in Kansas City, as he’s been more consistent than Kelvin Herrera.  Also seeing late-game innings lately for the Royals is Will Smith, who picked up his 4th hold yesterday, but the lefty hasn’t cracked our hierarchy yet.  Hierarchy change: Luke Hochevar to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandLuke HochevarKelvin HerreraGreg Holland9/8/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman pitched in four straight games from Tuesday to Friday, and might need a second day off today to recover.
2. Jacob Diekman, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in back to back games and three of four, and blew a save yesterday afternoon.  He might get the day off today.