Bullpen Report: August 16, 2015

-Right after saying nice things about Bruce Rondon yesterday afternoon, he went out and blew the save a few hours later, giving up a leadoff home run in a one-run game. No save situation for anyone today, although Alex Wilson did give up the game-winning hit to Jose Altuve (Tom Gorzelanny took the loss after putting the winning run on). I’ve heard some people suggest Neftali Feliz could be an option if this pen degrades into a full-blown committee. While Feliz has the “proven closer”(TM) tag, he also hasn’t posted a below-4.00 SIERA in five years, so I’m not super interested in wasting my time there. I still bet Rondon gets the next save opportunity.

–Carson Smith decided that the Mariners hadn’t quite given up enough runs to the Red Sox this weekend, so he coughed up a two-run potential save at Fenway this afternoon. Luckily for Seattle fans, the Mariners still were able to squeak out a “W” after the Red Sox finally tossed Craig Breslow (aka, the bullpen version of a white flag) out there. Smith’s xFIP ballooned all the way to 2.44 with this performance, highlighting just how good he has been this season in relief. Of course, those peripherals haven’t stopped Lloyd McClendon from doing odd things with his pen this season, so the yellow light stays.

-Not Huston Street’s finest evening tonight, as the Angel closer managed to blow a save without giving up a hit. Three walks (one intentional) and a sac fly will do that to you. Street’s xFIP is (somewhat concerningly) up to 4.34 on the season, which would easily be the worst mark of his career. His BB% is up a tad but his GB% is also at a career low mark, which could be hurting his usual elite LOB%. He’s not in danger of losing the job, but he doesn’t project as lights out going forward. Joe Smith is the handcuff here if you really want to lock down this bullpen for the fantasy playoffs. Of note, on the other side in this game, it was Wade Davis who gave up a homer tonight with Greg Holland tossing a scoreless inning (with the game tied, so no save there). Holland owners are cool with the status quo.

-Quick hits: Roberto Osuna notched another save this afternoon and is yet to blow one since becoming Toronto’s de facto closer. Both his SIERA and xFIP are about a run higher than his 2.01 ERA but a 95 mph fastball and 14% SwStr% are pretty good marks for a 20-year-old. A.J. Ramos posted his 19th save on the season; he’s a shining example of why you should chase skills if an incumbent closer goes in the tank. David Robertson, Glen Perkins, and Kenley Jansen (multi-inning!) looked good riding the “SV” train as well, today. Peter Moylan made his first big league appearance in nearly two years. Get him active in your 2009 holds leagues.

Closer Grid:

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