Blown Saves:
- None
Converted Saves:
Darren Oliver – Toronto Blue Jays – He allowed 1 H over 2.0 IP to record his first save of the season. Before you run to the waiver wire, Casey Janssen had thrown 2.1 innings in the previous two games. He will remain the closer for the foreseeable future (more on that later).
John Axford – Milwaukee Brewers – It’s nice to see him lockdown a save, isn’t it? He allowed 1 H and struck out 1. We all would like to say this is the start of things to come, but who knows at this point. That said, as I’ve said before, I don’t see the Brewers pulling him for the closers role at this point. They are clearly looking towards 2013, and they need Axford to reestablish himself as a go to option for them next year. Stay the course.
Carlos Marmol – Chicago Cubs – Once again it wasn’t easy. He allowed 0 ER on 1 H and 1 BB, striking out 1, in 0.2 innings to get the save. He’ll remain closing while the Cubs don’t have a better option, but he continues to be a disaster waiting to happen. Don’t be surprised if they bring back a potential closer in a Ryan Dempster or Matt Garza trade.
Santiago Casilla – San Francisco Giants – It was nice to see him bounce back, striking out one and not allowing a base runner in his 0.2 innings of work. That said, it’s important to note that the Giants didn’t let him open the inning due to a lefty being up. Could they start playing matchups a little bit more? Time will tell, but another meltdown in the near future should lead to Sergio Romo getting a shot. As it is, if their opponent is sending up a few left-handed hitters, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Casilla not get the call.
Others who converted saves:
- Kevin Jepsen – Los Angeles Angels
- Addison Reed – Chicago White Sox
- Aroldis Chapman – Cincinnati Reds
Other Notes:
- While Ernesto Frieri didn’t blow a save, he entered in a non-save situation and got torched. He allowed 3 ER on 1 H and 2 BB, failing to record an out. The lone hit was a home run to Mark Teixeira. You don’t want to get too upset off of one outing, though he did enter play with a 94.7% strand rate. In other words, it wouldn’t be shocking for this to be the start of a regression. Scott Downs (despite struggling yesterday as well, with 1 H, 2 BB and 1 K over 0.2 IP) would be the obvious choice to replace him.
- In a non-save situation Tyler Clippard allowed 0 R on 1 H and 2 BB, striking out 1, in an inning of work. It’s nice that he didn’t allow a run, but the base runners needs to catch our attention. With Drew Storen on his way back, Clippard needs to pitch well to keep his job.
- Nice to see Jose Valverde bounce back, allowing 1 H in an inning of work, in a non-save situation. That said, you still have to think that he’s on notice.
- In a non-save situation Alfredo Aceves walked 3 and struck out 1. His job is safe with Andrew Bailey not close to a return and Daniel Bard continuing to struggle at Triple-A, so there’s nothing to worry about here (especially since this appears to be an isolated incident). Aceves should hold the job for now.
- Glen Perkins (1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K) outpitched Jared Burton (1.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 K) yesterday. As to who the long-term answer is as closer if Matt Capps is traded? That remains to be seen, though Perkins appears to have the inside track right now.
- According to Mike Wilner (via Twitter), “Sergio Santos will have shoulder surgery, focusing on labrum (rotator cuff is fine). Expected back for Spring Training. ?” In other words, if you have been holding out hope that he’ll return to close for the Blue Jays in 2012 you can move on. Casey Janssen will remain closer.
