Bullpen Report: May 14, 2014
-Just when we thought we figured this whole Angels bullpen thing out, Mike Scioscia sent Ernesto Frieri to the hill in the eighth-inning with a three run lead, then provided Joe Smith with the opportunity to close out the Phillies and earn the save. Scioscia’s comments following today’s game indicate that he’ll continue to mix-and-match Frieri and Joe Smith in the ninth frame depending on the particulars of the save situation. Two factors — the score, and part of the order due up (among other foreign forms of managerial reasoning) — will be considered when the skipper calls for his choice closer. Although Scioscia’s comments suggest he would eventually like to name one closer for the remainder of the season, this continues to feel like a closer-by-committee situation. If you’re chasing saves, you’re looking to grab shares of both players until one of these guys — presumably Frieri — proves worthy to work closing situations regardless of situation.
–Joe Nathan notched his tenth save of the season today as the Tigers clipped the Orioles, 7-5. Nathan induced a groundout and a line out off the bats of Manny Machado and Adam Jones respectively, issued a free pass to Chris Davis, but sealed the deal with a Nelson Cruz worm burner to shortstop. Nathan came out of the gate a bit slow this season, earning just one save in his first three opportunities, but he’s converted nine consecutive save chances since, dating back to April 9th. Although Nathan’s average velocity still appears to be down a tick since last season, it looks as if the velocity on each of his offerings has slowly increased since the start of the year. Good news. Nathan has converted saves in each of the last three nights, so tomorrow’s off day will comes well-deserved.
–Fernando Abad surrendered three runs to the White Sox in the top of the ninth-inning, taking Sean Doolittle and the Athletics out of a save situation. With that said, Melvin indicated that Doolittle would have taken the ball in the ninth if the A’s held the one run lead for the save chance. Doolittle is 2-for-3 in save situations with a 33% K% on the season. He should be owned in more than his current 28% of Y! leagues.
–Matt Lindstrom surrendered a hit and a walk in the ninth, but got out of the jam to pick up his sixth save of the year. Lindstrom is now 6-of-9 in save chances with a 3.50 ERA (4.93 FIP) with a 12.8% K%. The 12.8% K% is a career low for the lanky right-hander and his matching career low 7.0% SwStr% leads us to believe his strikeout rate isn’t exactly a bad stroke of luck.
-Quick Hitters: Mark Melancon surrendered a two out single in the ninth, but escaped unscathed to notch his fifth save of the season. Jason Grilli tossed two 12-pitch innings in a simulated game tonight at Miller Park. The Pirates’ closer indicated that “he felt great, is ready to return,” and “probably doesn’t need a rehab assignment” before being reinstated. We’ve heard from the player, now lets wait and see what the brass decides to do. The Mets released Kyle Farnsworth this evening, saving them $750k and a whole lot of heartache. I used my best darts to update the chart to reflect said transaction.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
In addition to contributing to the RotoGraphs blog, you can find Alan at his own site, TheFantasyFix.com and follow his nonsense on Twitter @TheFantasyFix.
Nothing about Hunter and the situation with the Os? That’s very intriguing. Does Buck give Hunter a rest? He has notched 11 saves, but very few if any have been clean. Does he give O’day a clear shot at winning the role or does he mix and match with him and the lefty Britton?
Ben wrote about the O’s and some of your questions last night: http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/bullpen-report-may-13-2014/