Bullpen Report: Friday, October 2, 2015
Aroldis Chapman helped your ratios again last night, striking out a pair in his inning of work. Sure he didn’t garner a save, but sweet fancy Moses did he look good. Jeff Brantley is on the shelf, so don’t roster him. Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless top of the ninth, helping my Scoresheet team, but doing nothing for your saves category. Kent Tekulve missed the game when the wind blew his hat down the street and he had to chase it. He has glasses, so his vision is already compromised.
Jeff Manship has pitched almost 40 innings and has an ERA under 1.00. I’m guessing you haven’t rostered him, and I don’t blame you! He did go 1.7 last night, striking out a pair and only giving up a solitary baserunner. What did you do last night? Jeff Manship is on Cleveland.
Tom Henke and Duane Ward were unavailable last night, so Brett Cecil and Roberto Osuna paired up to strike out three Rays in the ninth.
Arodys Vizcaino lowered his ERA again last night and firmed up his grasp on the Braves closer role for 2016. Don’t be shy about keeping him if you’re in a deep league, he’s likely going to be earning saves in Georgia next year. Hopefully in Atlanta, not Gwinnett. John Rocker is nursing a sore hammy and is unavailable this weekend.
Shawn Tolleson pitched his fourth day in a row on Friday for the first time ever. Well, probably not ever, but at least in documented history. The Rangers are in the first inning as this is being written, but maybe Keone Kela sees a save opp today? Joe Smith picked up his fourth save though, and if the Angels get saves the next couple days, he’s the guy, as Greg Minton is down with a bum being old.
David Robertson struck out two as he saved his 34th of the year Friday night. Bobby Thigpen was probably enjoying being retired at an early age. I could probably look him up and see what he was doing, but I’d prefer to just think he was saving more important things than baseball games. Like his money?
Wade Davis emphatically saved his 16th game for the Royals on Friday. Mark Davis was unavailable for comment. Well, maybe he was available, I just didn’t bother reaching out. And even if I did, like he’d talk to me!
Michael Feliz was tasked with protecting an 18-run lead on Friday and he didn’t disappoint. The Astros walked away with a win, even though Feliz gave up a pair of runs . He struck out two and let four batters reach base. A couple of them scored. This Feliz won’t help your ratios.
Dennis Eckersley was dealing with a body issue and was unavailable, so Sean Doolittle ripped a save on Friday night and Ryan Dull held the nuts out of that game.
Thanks for reading my nonsense this year. I’m just a small part of the bullpen report machine, but this is my last outing of the season. I apologize for costing you hella skrilla, but I tried my best. Sweet winter dreams y’all. There will be a bullpen report on Sunday to get you through the winter!
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
Darren contributes to RotoGraphs when he isn’t watching the Braves or shoveling snow. Follow him on Twitter @shinesie.
Trippy.