Bullpen Report: September 4, 2013

• We’ve said it in this space before but there are just some teams that are a waste of time when it comes to chasing saves. Apparently, the 2013 Astros are one of those teams. Bo Porter left Erik Bedard (who actually racked up the first save in baseball this season) in to try and finish off a win. No Chia-Jen Lo, no Josh Fields. Just Canadian pride. Unfortunately, Bedard gave up a leadoff tater to Ryan Doumit (12) so “BS” train, here we come. Of course, he still scabbed a win when Trevor Crowe singled in Jonathan Villar in the bottom of the ninth, so all was not lost for the 0.326% (*not a real number) of fantasy owners who started Bedard (or have left him accidentally in their lineup for months). Either way, the ‘Stros are probably looking at a handful (one handful) of saves the rest of the way and it’s highly unlikely they’ll come from the same source. I’m just not that into Russian roulette.

• I talked a little bit last week about how I liked Blake Parker as the number two guy in Chicago behind Kevin Gregg. This normally wouldn’t be interesting news but Kevin Gregg has been pitching even worse than normal Kevin Gregg over the last few months. Couple that with the fact the “goggled one” is almost assured of not being in Chitown next year, and speculating on a guy (Parker) who has put up good rates since the all-star break (3.13 xFIP) didn’t seem like a bad decision.

Well, apparently Dale Sveum heard me and was all like “nuts to that” since he went on record today as saying Pedro Strop might get a few chances here and there down the stretch as the team looks towards 2014. Like Parker, Strop has been quite good over the last couple months, posting an even more sparkly xFIP since the break (2.98). Since Strop has good rates, I’d roster him if I needed help — hopefully the worst case scenario is he gives you a few extra holds/strikeouts even if he doesn’t get any saves. That said, I’m a bit leery when it comes to thinking a guy with a career 13% BB% could be a long-term option in the ninth inning. Don’t get too caught up on the Cubs bullpen in keeper leagues. (Of course, Gregg pitched a scoreless ninth — albeit with two walks — today).

• Quick hits: LaTroy Hawkins got another save for the Mets. I don’t think he’s quite green on the chart yet, but there’s a high probability he remains the Mets closer for the remainder of the year. Just don’t expect a lot of help outside of saves (18% K%). Rafael Soriano closed out the Phillies for save number 38. I saw a lot of “sharply” in Gameday’s description of his outs (not good), but he still has job security in Washington. Mariano Rivera got a save. Yawn.

• More quick hits: Daniel Bard was claimed by the Cubs. I guess Theo Epstein thinks he can work magic again. Don’t even bother in dynasty leagues, though; 2010-2011’s Bard seems to have disappeared. Sergio Santos “blew” Mark Buehrle’s win (he gave up a sac fly after he was given a runner on third with one out, but as a Buehrle streamer, I still wasn’t happy). He’s way away from the ninth, so while he was trendy last offseason, don’t stretch for him in keeper leagues this September.

Closer Grid:

[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]