Archive for June, 2013

Bullpen Report: June 1, 2013

Just a few bullpen notes from this evening…

Huston Street embarked on his annual journey to the disabled list today, and for the second time in two years, his left calf appears to be the culprit. Prior to hitting the shelf, Street converted 11-of-12 save chances with a 4.43 ERA (7.44 FIP) and a 1.63 K/BB in 21 appearances. But despite the successful save conversion rate, the veteran closer is failing to miss bats (8.6% SwStr%) like he’s been able to in the past (13.4% career SwStr%). Bud Black indicated that both Luke Gregerson and Dale Thayer would close games in Street’s absence, but tonight, Thayer took the hill with two out in the seventh while Gregerson earned the call in the ninth. Gregerson surrendered three hits and one earned run during his first save opportunity this season, but in the end, notched the saves. Gregerson should be considered in all relevant formats for those chasing saves.

Rafael Betancourt also landed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday due to a nagging groin injury. In his stead, manager Walt Weiss will look for left-hander Rex Brothers in the ninth frame in save situations. Admittedly, I initially anointed Wilton Lopez as the heir apparent to Betancourt based on his previous experience in Houston — and to a lesser extent, the fact that Brothers is a southpaw — but, the lefty’s 0.38 ERA proved to be too good to pass up. Like Gregerson, Brothers should be an immediate target for those in need of saves.

Francisco Rodriguez locked down his third save of the twenty-thirteen campaign this evening — the 240th of his career — as the Brewers clipped the Phillies, 4-3. K-Rod yielded a leadoff longball to Freddy Galvis, but pulled a few rabbits out of his hat to walk off the diamond with a handshake. With Jim Henderson reportedly out “a while,” Rodriguez deserves to be owned in more than just 37% of Yahoo leagues.

Greg Holland (9), Jose Veras (10) and Aroldis Chapman (14) each tallied saves tonight while Tom Wilhelmsen blew his second save chance of his last five outings.

Closer Grid:

 

Closer First Second DL/Minors
Arizona Heath Bell David Hernandez Matt Reynolds J.J. Putz
Atlanta Craig Kimbrel Jordan Walden Cory Gearrin
Baltimore Jim Johnson Darren O’Day Pedro Strop
Boston Andrew Bailey Junichi Tazawa Koji Uehara
CHI (NL) Kevin Gregg Carlos Marmol James Russell
CHI (AL) Addison Reed Jesse Crain Matt Thornton
Cincy Aroldis Chapman Jonathan Broxton J.J. Hoover Sean Marshall
Cleveland Vinnie Pestano Joe Smith Bryan Shaw Chris Perez
Colorado Rex Brothers Wilton Lopez Matt Belisle Rafael Betancourt
Detroit Jose Valverde Joaquin Benoit Phil Coke
Houston Jose Veras Wesley Wright Hector Ambriz
KC Greg Holland Aaron Crow Tim Collins Kelvin Herrera
LAA Ernesto Frieri Scott Downs Robert Coello Ryan Madson
LAD Brandon League Kenley Jansen Ronald Belisario
Miami Steve Cishek Mike Dunn Chad Qualls
Milwaukee Francisco Rodriguez John Axford Mike Gonzalez Jim Henderson
Minnesota Glen Perkins Jared Burton Casey Fien
NY (NL) Bobby Parnell Brandon Lyon LaTroy Hawkins Frank Francisco
NY (AL) Mariano Rivera David Robertson Joba Chamberlain
Oakland Grant Balfour Ryan Cook Sean Doolittle
Philly Jonathan Papelbon Mike Adams Antonio Bastardo
Pittsburgh Jason Grilli Mark Melancon Tony Watson
St. Louis Edward Mujica Trevor Rosenthal Fernando Salas Jason Motte
SD Luke Gregerson Dale Thayer Joe Thatcher Huston Street
SF Sergio Romo Jeremy Affeldt Jean Machi Santiago Casilla
Seattle Tom Wilhelmsen Carter Capps Charlie Furbush
TB Fernando Rodney Joel Peralta Jake McGee
Texas Joe Nathan Tanner Scheppers Jason Frasor
Toronto Casey Janssen Steve Delabar Darren Oliver Sergio Santos
Wash. Rafael Soriano Drew Storen Tyler Clippard

[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]


Daily Fantasy Strategy — 6/1/13 — For DraftStreet

With every passing season, it seems that the amalgamation of starting pitching talent in the major leagues has gotten both progressively deeper and more dominant. Most of the speculation on the topic centers around the idea that the harshening regulations and increased testing of PEDs led to less runs being scored because hitters were physically weaker, and therefore worse at hitting.

That response to this trend feels narrative-driven at best, and I’ve found that most of the time, the simplest explanation is the best explanation. And the simplest explanation for the recent dominance of pitchers is: there just happens to be an inordinately large number of really good starters in the major leagues right now. Tonight’s games are no exception.

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Roto Riteup: June 1, 2013

By the time you read this, the first season of the World Championship Series for the Korean region, also known as GSL, will have been played. If anyone has any interest in StarCraft II, the present author urges you to check it out. Become an eSports while reading baseball nerd articles!

On today’s agenda:
1. Stephen Strasburg exits after two innings
2. A couple two home run days
3. The Empire Strikes Back
4. Keep the faith in Shaun Marcum
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