Bullpen Report: September 3, 2015
Just a handful of games on this Thursday slate, so here’s just a couple of bullpen notes to get you up to speed:
A three-run seventh put the White Sox up two on the Twinkies and in need of closer David Robertson’s services in the final frame. Robertson dished a clean frame, retiring the top of the Twins’ lineup in order on 14 pitches (10 strikes) — including a strikeout of Eduardo Escobar — to secure the victory and his 28th save on the year. On the season, the right-hander is now 28-of-34 in save chances with a 2.55 ERA (2.08 FIP) and a 12.23 K/9 in 53 innings on the hill. Nate Jones fanned three and notched his fourth hold of the season in the same contest.
Francisco Rodriguez picked up his 33rd save of the season today in a clean inning of work for the Brewers. Rodriguez needed just eight pitches, seven of which were strikes, to induce a trio of groundouts and finish off the Pirates, 5-3. KRod is 33-of-34 in save opportunities this season with a 2.45 ERA (2.90 FIP) and a 10.01 K/9. He’s now earned 381 saves over the course of his career, which places him seventh all-time among closers and just nine behind Dennis Eckersley’s 390 career saves. Will Smith (16), Tyler Thornburg (1) and Jeremy Jeffress (19) each notched holds in Brew Crew’s victory.
The Padres bats took advantage of a struggling Dodgers bullpen tonight in Petco Park, tagging them four six runs, four of which came in the bottom of the eighth giving the Friars a 10-7 lead. Both Joaquin Benoit and Craig Kimbrel were the hill for 30+ pitches last evening, but both were willing to take the ball in the ninth during the save opportunity. Skipper Pat Murphy gave Benoit the nod since Kimbrel pitched on the previous two days with a total of 52 pitches. The veteran righty dished a clean frame, needing just 13 pitches to induce a strikeout, a line out and a groundout to seal the 10-7 victory for the Padres and his second save of the year. Kimbrel will be available for Friday should the Friars need him to close.
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.
Hello – what are you hearing regarding the timing for Carter Capps’ return. He seemed close and was supposed to throw his last bullpen session on Monday or Tuesday but there has been no word. Any idea when or if he will make it back in 2015?. Thank you
John