Bullpen Report: May 29, 2016
Sorry I missed you all for most of this weekend, so I’ll make sure to catch you up on the long weekend. There were some mighty stumbles this weekend, but none that should rock the closer grid. Per usual, there were the fair share of saves and only one that so far has made movement in the grid since you last saw it. Let’s talk about the falls first.
Two of the more steady closers had some atrocious weekends despite entering their respective games in non-save situations. Jeurys Familia had a four-run lead giving up four and David Roberton had a six-run giving up 6 this weekend. Familia owners had their ERA crushed, but at least managed to sneak a win out of it after Curtis Granderson recaptured the lead with a homer in the bottom of the 9th off Pedro Baez. Robertson owners were not so lucky as they only received 0.2 of an inning of 6 runs, but at least Robertson didn’t get credited with a loss or even a blown save (ah, baseball scoring rules), as Tommy Kahnle received those honors. Nothing should necessarily change in these bullpen situations. Robertson has not had many saves in May, but that’s a more a lack of opportunity. Robertson only had 7 appearances in May prior to Saturday and came into the game with an 0.96 ERA. Well, that shot up to 3.72 after Saturday. Familia’s went from 2.01 to 4.07 after giving up two runs in a tied game today.
Speaking of seeing ERA’s spike, Zach McCallister and David Phelps had two rough outings. McCallister was more expected as his sub 3.00 ERA just didn’t seem right with the higher walk rate and the increase in HRs allowed. McCallister gave up three runs on Friday as the heart of the Orioles line-up gave him trouble. He bounced back for a clean inning yesterday, but the damage was already done raising his ERA to 4.08. Phelps’ was more unexpected as he has been dominant this season, as he gave up two runs to Atlanta in a tied game on Friday and earned the loss. Both pitchers were put into high leverage situations, and Phelps should remain in that role, as McCallister will not see them as frequently.
After giving up a run in a tied game and being pulled mid-inning on Saturday, Jeremy Jeffress appeared to be unavailable for the save today as Blaine Boyer was given the opportunity to close and earned the save. Jeffress threw 21 pitches on Saturday so I doubt this was a sign for things to come. Jeffress has been effective this season with 12 saves and a 2.28 ERA (3.20 FIP). The drop in K% this season concerns me somewhat moving forward, but nobody seems to be a great threat to unthrone him right now. That is until Wil Smith comes back. Smith is currently rehabbing in Double-A where he pitched a clean inning today. Smith has pitched a total of four innings in the minors striking out 5, giving up one hit and no runs this season so far.
Ryan Madson blew a save on Tuesday against the Mariners, and I looks like Bob Melvin will be playing match-ups again as Sean Doolittle came in for the save today earning his third of the season. Madson pitched a clean 8th inning against Detroit’s 1-2-3 hitters, so it doesn’t look like he is out as Oakland’s top reliever. He was simply put in because that was the higher leverage situation. It is not out of the question that Doolittle takes over as the top reliever in Oakland. For now, tread lightly depending on your league’s format because it doesn’t appear that there is only going to be one guy garnering saves there.
Quick Notes: Kevin Jepsen may have earned a save for the second straight day, but it was not a pretty performance today giving up a two-run homer to Franklin Gutierrez. The White Sox blew a save for the 2nd straight game as Nate Jones gave up three runs against the Royals, as the White Sox lost 5-4. After giving up 3 runs on Saturday in a non-save situation, Ziegler bounced back today to earn his 9th save. Luke Gregerson earned his second straight save today giving him 12 saves on the season. Ken Giles, who had been pitching so well as of late, stumbled in the 7th today giving up two for his second blown save of the season. Craig Kimbrel was unavailable today after blowing the save yesterday and throwing 38 pitches. So Koji Uehara was called on for his first save of the season today, and completed it while striking out two. Tony Cingrani earned the save Friday, so I moved him back into the closer slot on the Cincy grid, especially since we have not seen Ross Ohlendorf since May 21st before today.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
If I can trade Josh Harrison for Boxberger should I? Word is he’ll step right into the closer role but idk if I believe it.
The latest word is slightly different:
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/rays-matt-moore-ends-six-start-winless-streak-w-video/2279423
“Manager Kevin Cash said he will ease RHP Brad Boxberger into the closer role when Boxberger returns to the team Monday in Kansas City. . . . ‘(Boxberger) is going to get plenty of opportunities in the ninth inning,’ Cash said. ‘I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do to stick him in a 2-1 ball game the first time he comes out. If we can work him into some outings a little bit lower leverage, that would be ideal.'”
In a heartbeat.
If your hitting can afford it, I’d do it.