Bullpen Report: May 27, 2014
Just a few quick notes from tonight…
-After picking up a save in his first appearance back from the disabled list, Jason Grilli got the call in the bottom of the eighth-inning tonight with the Bucs down two runs to the Mets. Grilli surrendered a leadoff single to start the inning, then fanned the next three consecutive batters to keep the Pirates within striking distance heading into the final frame. Despite the fact that the Pirates were unable to stage the late-inning comeback, reports indicate that Grilli’s outing could be one of the final hurdles the right-hander needed to clear before reclaiming the closer tag. Stadium guns clocked the veteran’s fastball in the 92-94 range, which seems to be right in line with career norms. For his career, Grilli is 43-for-54 in save situations, 33 of which came in 2013.
-For the Metropolitans, Jenrry Mejia locked down his fourth save of the season in a two-inning effort. Without three of his middle relievers available and Mejia being used in both halves of Monday’s doubleheader (assuming he wouldn’t be available tomorrow), manager Terry Collins left his young right-hander on the hill for the final six outs. The last hurdle Mejia will need to clear before “officially” claiming the Mets’ closing position, will be to work on three consecutive days. Have to think that’s more of a formality at this point than anything.
–Koji Uehara notched his 11th save of the season in an 11-pitch effort against the Braves in Atlanta tonight. The Red Sox closer has now saved 27 consecutive regular season games dating back to July 6th of last season. That’s pretty good, especially for a 39-year-old. Despite the poor attempt at knocking his age, the right-hander’s velocity seems to be pretty in line with his career numbers and he continues to post ridiculous strikeout (38.7% K%) and walk (4% BB%) rates.
Quick Hitters: Joakim Soria is perfect no longer. The Rangers’ closer allowed two runs — one of which was unearned, based on said closer’s throwing error — on two hits and a walk. Soria is now 8-of-9 in save opportunities on the season and his streak of 12 consecutive outings without surrendering a run has come to a close. And Huston Street remains perfect on the year by dishing a clean frame on 11 pitches to notch his 15th save for the Friars. Casey Janssen yielded a hit, but fanned one en route to his eighth save of the season for the Blue Jays. Zach Britton blew his first career save tonight in a 7-6 Orioles loss to the Brewers. There wasn’t a lot of bloodshed in the blown save — in fact, a lot of credit should be given to the Brewers for manufacturing the run – but, a blown save is just what it is. Britton is now 3-of-4 in save chances on the year with a 0.94 ERA (3.30 FIP).
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.
Allen should probably be ahead of Shaw. He’s pitched in all the high-leverage situations over the past week.
Appreciate the feedback as always, Jakerrr. You’re right, he has been used more than Shaw in the 8th & 9th as of late. But Allen did get knocked around a bit earlier last week in said situations, which is where my hesitation stems. He’s allowed 4 ER with a 4/3 KK/BB in his last five outings. Meh…
Most importantly with this and similar situations, when a team is in the “red,” we almost have to pull the closer, first and second tags because the pen is either a mess, it’s a CBC or whatever else funky could be going on.
Cleveland’s pen definitely fits the definition of a mess.
Yeah, it’s a mess. I have Allen and am just waiting for the next save opportunity… Seems like it will never come.
Blurb went over the wall last night to rob konerko of a two run shot off Allen. That close to yet another terrible Allen outing. Axford is better right now to be honest.
Blurb equals Bourn
Michael Blurb