Bullpen Report: September 19, 2012
• Tyler Clippard closed the door on the Dodgers in the first half of a double-dipper this afternoon, earning his 32nd save in 35 chances this season. Clippard gave up a one-out hit to Mark Ellis, but needed just 14 pitches to induce three fly ball outs in the ninth to seal the deal. Davey Johnson called Clippard to the hill again in the second half of the double header — but gave up a lead-off moonshot to Matt Kemp — and took the loss, his fifth on the year.
• How many of y’all listened to Ben’s suggestion last night? For those who have no clue what I’m talking about, he insisted you add Rafael Soriano to your daily league or Fangraphs: The Game roster knowing that the Bombers had a double-header today in the Bronx against the Blue Jays. It turns out, Soriano earned a save in each half of the double header, handsomely rewarding those trusting the Bullpen Report. The Yankees’ closer needed a total of 32 pitches — 23 in game one, nine in game two — to earn his 41st and 42nd save respectively. Soriano is now just three saves shy of his career high 45 that he set with the Rays in 2010. With his stock seemingly rising, it will be more-than-interesting to see if Soriano chooses to opt out of his $14 million option for 2013.
• Aroldis Chapman, who hasn’t pitched since September 10th due to shoulder fatigue, tossed 25 pitches off a mound today in a side session at Wrigley Field. This was the first time Chapman has threw from the mound since he was shutdown, but insisted the fatigue was gone. Chapman felt that his bullpen session went “really well today, and he needs about two or three more sessions to work on command” before he will be ready to return to action. Jonthan Broxton figures to continue to get the save chances for the Reds until Chapman returns. Although Broxton hasn’t exactly been blowing batters away since he stepped into the role (2:1 K:BB), he is a perfect 3-for-3 in save chances.
For those of you who play daily fantasy games like FanGraphs: The Game, or just like to stream players, here is a matchup you may be able to exploit.
A Pitcher for Tomorrow: David Robertson (NYY) vs. TOR
As noted above, Yankees’ ninth-inning man Rafael Soriano tossed 32 pitches in his two-save effort on Wednesday. Joe Girardi may look to get his closer some rest on Thursday to prepare for this weekend’s series with the Athletics.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
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What’s going on with Kenley Jansen? He was supposed to return to action after getting off the blood thinners, but wasn’t used last night in any late/close situations.