Bullpen Report: July 7, 2014
• Jenrry Mejia entered tonight’s game in the eighth inning for a four out save, and although he got four outs he also blew the one-run lead allowing a run and five baserunners. Before tonight’s outing Mejia had six consecutive scoreless appearances stretching over 6.2 innings. Mejia had a bumpy road in early June but has looked good of late and his job is still relatively secure.
• There wasn’t a save situation for the White Sox tonight but up four runs Javy Guerra threw 1.1 scoreless innings with Zach Putnam pitching a perfect ninth. Jacob Petricka received the save six-out save last night and while no permanent decision has been made on a closer, I’m going to flip Putnam and Petricka on the grid.
• In fifth grade, way back in 1996 I remember watching a Yankee game where Mariano Rivera, en route to arguably his best season, recorded the first save of his career. Fast forward a Bar-Mitzvah, college and a few jobs and another young Yankee reliever recorded his first save in the middle of a dominant and all-star worthy season as Dellin Betances got the final six outs for the Yankees this evening. Although he’s (gasp) allowed a few runs in June, Betances supports a 1.37 FIP and 1.88 xFIP, racking up 79 strikeouts against 16 walks in 52.1 innings pitched. His ability to pitch multiple innings and miss multiple bats has made him the most valuable non-closing reliever in fantasy baseball.
• Trevor Rosenthal’s last two appearances (1.1 innings, 4 earned runs, six baserunners) have not been ideal but he’s still keeping his job. Rosie might receive some rest but there is no changing of the guard here. Although Rosenthal hasn’t been as dominant as he was in a setup role last year, he was pitching particularly well before his recent flare up. If Rosenthal needs some rest during a save opportunity, expect Pat Neshek to get the nod.
Closer Grid:
[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
Giles threw 1.1 innings tonight in a one run game while Bastardo didnt pitch
Thanks for the pointer. I’ve been wavering on flipping the two. Bastardo had one terrible outing recently but has pitched great but Giles is likely the long term replacement.
Can we just call McGee the closer already? Why does Tampa keep pretending its a committee? I imagine that’s the only reason he’s red. He’s as solid a reliever as anybody almost.
My guess is that while he’s the guy it could (and I think will) eventually revert back
He’s the reliever to own out of the bullpen for sure, but it does appear to be a legit committee. Maddon has not come out and said McGee is his main 9th inning guy and he seems to be playing the match ups as much as he can. Boxberger, Balfour and Peralta all seem to be in line for occasional shots at saves dependent upon the match up.
It’s a legit committee. McGee, Boxberger, Peralta and Balfour have all recorded saves in the past month.
McGee is the preferred option to own but until the Rays officially anoint him as closer, it’ll be red.
McGee – 4, Boxberger – 1, Balfour – 1, and Peralta with a goose egg all in the past 2 weeks. It’s a committee but it looks like there’s a chairman!
When can we expect to see Heath Hembree up in SF? Why are they letting him toil away at AAA after giving him a look late last year? Seems like he would be a solid piece to add for late inning help in a bullpen that needs it. Plus he’s sitting in my minors in my dynasty league and I’m tired of waiting for him! Thanks for the read