Due to work requirements I was only able to catch the end of the Mariners-Astros and A’s-Yankee games, but I did not notice a couple of trends.

First, Tom Wilhelmsen blew his third save in the past two weeks. If you’re a Wilhelmsen owner it’s time to go grab Carter Capps. Wilhelmsen probably has a long leash and will get the next save chance, but since May 29 he has a 14.85 ERA and 2.70 WHIP (6.2 innings). If you have the roster spot, go get Capps.

Grant Balfour, again, came close to blowing another save. Prior to last night he’s almost blown four saves because he allowed fly balls to the warning track or a ball that went over the fence that the outfielder caught. Pitch location has been a big issue for Balfour this year; his walk rate is one percentage point larger and hitters are hitting .202 against him (compared to .160 last year). Balfour has fairly long leash and should remain the closer for awhile because he hasn’t blown a save in 30-31 chances, but he hasn’t looked nearly as good as the box score indicates. I still believe Sean Doolittle is the best reliever the A’s have and should be the next pitcher inline if something were to happen to Balfour. On a side note, f course after I tout Doolittle as one of the five best relievers in the game he allows ten earned runs in eight innings and pretty much making me look foolish.