Bullpen Report: August 11, 2015

Our apologies on the delay but a few updates on the bullpens around the league:

• After hinting that Jean Machi would be closing for the Red Sox, it was Junichi Tazawa who received the save chance last night. Unfortunately for Tazawa owners he blew the save. This situation is red hot and according to Farrell now, Machi, Tazawa and Ryan Cook could all see save chances moving forward. At this point, all three are worth owning as the Red Sox sort out their back of the bullpen mess for the final two months. Tazawa  received last night’s chance due to matchups, and considering he blew it I’d go Machi over Cook and Tazawa for the next opportunity.

Hector Rondon did not receive the save chance today but there’s no closer controversy in Chicago (for now) as Maddon told him to “wear sneakers before the game.” In his place Pedro Strop threw a perfect eighth with two strikeouts with James Russell nailing down his first save of the year. Although Russell got the save chance in lieu of Rondon’s absence, I would still expect Pedro Strop or Motte to replace Rondon for consistent saves (if such a thing exists in Chicago) if something were to happen there.

• A tough outing for Andrew Miller blowing his first save of the year leading to a horrible loss for the Yankees in extras. Miller struck out two guys as he commonly does but also gave up three hits and two runs for the blown save. Dellin Betances is more than capable to close but Miller should receive the next chance as well since he hasn’t pitched much of late. Move on, nothing left to see here except Miller’s still fantastic 1.85/2.48/2.43 ERA/FIP/xFIP line.

Quick Hits: Cody Allen has been underwhelming this year but he threw a scoreless ninth. In spite of his yo-yo season, he’s still green. Carson Smith threw 1.2 scoreless with one walk and three strikeouts, finishing the eighth and ninth innings. Rodney threw a scoreless 10th and received the win. He’s been pitching a lot better of late but so has Smith and I don’t think Rodney will be shooting his arrows in the ninth quite yet.

Closer Grid:

Closer First Second DL/Minors
Arizona Brad Ziegler Daniel Hudson Addison Reed
Atlanta Arodys Vizcaino David Aardsma Jason Frasor Jason Grilli
Baltimore Zach Britton Darren O’Day Brad Brach
Boston Jean Machi Junichi Tazawa Ryan Cook Koji Uehara
CHI (NL) Hector Rondon Pedro Strop Jason Motte Rafael Soriano
CHI (AL) David Robertson Jacob Petricka Zach Putnam
Cincy Aroldis Chapman J.J. Hoover Ryan Mattheus
Cleveland Cody Allen Bryan Shaw Zach McAllister
Colorado Tommy Kahnle Rafael Betancourt Justin Miller
Detroit Alex Wilson Bruce Rondon Al Albuerquerque Joe Nathan
Houston Luke Gregerson Pat Neshek Chad Qualls
KC Greg Holland Wade Davis Kelvin Herrera
LAA Huston Street Joe Smith Fernando Salas
LAD Kenley Jansen Jim Johnson Pedro Baez
Miami A.J. Ramos Mike Dunn Bryan Morris Carter Capps
Milwaukee Francisco Rodriguez Jeremy Jeffress Will Smith
Minnesota Glen Perkins Kevin Jepsen Trevor May
NY (NL) Jeurys Familia Tyler Clippard Bobby Parnell
NY (AL) Andrew Miller Dellin Betances Justin Wilson
Oakland Edward Mujica Fernando Rodriguez Drew Pomeranz Sean Doolittle
Philly Ken Giles Luis Garcia Jeanmar Gomez
Pittsburgh Mark Melancon Joakim Soria Tony Watson
St. Louis Trevor Rosenthal Kevin Siegrist Steve Cishek Jordan Walden
SD Craig Kimbrel Joaquin Benoit Brendan Maurer
SF Santiago Casilla Sergio Romo Hunter Strickland
Seattle Carson Smith Fernando Rodney Tom Wilhelmsen
TB Brad Boxberger Jake McGee Steve Geltz
Texas Shawn Tolleson Sam Dyson Jake Diekman Tanner Scheppers
Toronto Roberto Osuna Aaron Sanchez Brett Cecil
Wash. Jonathan Papelbon Drew Storen Casey Janssen

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





When he's not focusing on every team's bullpen situation, Ben can be found blogging at Ben's Baseball Bias and on Twitter @BensBias

16 Comments
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Jon
8 years ago

Any speculation on the A’s closer situation? Who’s a better grab off the wire, Pomeranz or Fernando Rodriguez?

MD
8 years ago
Reply to  Jon

I’d go with Pom or Scribner, but Doolittle could be back as soon as next week.

CM52
8 years ago
Reply to  MD

There is nothing in their usage or skills that would make you think Scribner is a better pickup than Rodriguez.

MD
8 years ago
Reply to  MD

My bad, saw Scribner had pitched a scoreless 9th in consecutive outings (3rd and the 6th), thought something may have changed. One was a tie, the other a laugher. He has been a lot better of late, but Rodriguez is probably still ahead of him for save opps.

KobraCola
8 years ago
Reply to  Jon

I’m gonna link my comment from yesterday:

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/bullpen-report-august-10-2015/#comment-905993

The graph seems to think Fernando Rodriguez would get the next save oppoortunity, but I think usage has shown Pomeranz will get the next shot at it, since Mujica has struggled, and I’ve picked him up in leagues where I need saves and he was available.