Closer Watch Blog Week 10

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Florida Marlins
Joe Borowski to Closer from co-closer
Logan Kensing to 1st in line from co-closer
Carlos Martinez still 2nd in line

Borowski has received the past 2 save opportunities for the Marlins after Kensing got one earlier this month. The veteran Borowski pitched a scoreless 9th last night in a 2-1game for his 8th save of the year; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 IBB, 0 K. The 35-year-old has a 1.55 WHIP in 21+ IP with 20 K and is 7 for 8 in save chances.

Maybe manager Joe Girardi is ready to ride the veteran Borowski with his rookie relievers, Kensing and Martinez, pitching in a set up role. However, I think this situation could change at any point this season as the rebuilding Marlins still may want a young reliever to emerge as the closer.

Kansas City Royals
Ambiorix Burgos still Closer
Elmer Dessens still 1st in line
Todd Wellemeyer to 2nd in line in place of Joel Peralta
Mike MacDougal DL

Wellemeyer was inconsistent with the Marlins prior to being waived, but could be given a chance to earn a late inning role in the wide open KC bullpen. The 27-year-old got the final 2 outs in the 9th yesterday with the Royals down 6 and now has a 1.50 WHIP in 22 IP with 17 K and zero holds. Peralta has a 1.38 WHIP in 25+ IP but has been scored on in 3 of his past 5 appearances.

MacDougal could be back in late June or early July barring any set backs from his shoulder rehab.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Los Angeles Dodgers
Takashi Saito to Closer in place of Eric Gagne
Danys Baez to 1st in line in place of Takashi Saito
Jonathan Broxton to 2nd in line in place of Danys Baez
Eric Gagne DL?

Gagne had to shut a throwing session down yesterday due to elbow soreness and could be headed towards the DL. Saito was settling in to the Dodgers' closer role prior to Gagne coming back, and the former Japanese leaguer converted a save last night relieving starting pitcher Brad Penny in the 9th; 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Gagne's status for the remainder of the season has doubt now, even though this latest injury is not considered serious, yet. Saito has a 0.88 WHIP in 30+ IP with 39 K, 3 saves and 7 holds.

Washington Nationals
Chad Cordero still Closer
Gary Majewski to 1st in line in place of Jon Rauch
Bill Bray to 2nd in line in place of Gary Majewski

Rookie Bray has impressed in 3 outings since a recent call up; 0.19 WHIP in 5+ IP, zero runs allowed and 4 K. The left hander is a solid prospect and had a 1.11 WHIP in 31+ AAA IP with 5 saves and 45 K earlier this year.

Majewski has pitched well of late after a shaky April and has a 1.23 WHIP on the season in 38+ IP with 23 K and 6 holds. Rauch has pitched well this year with a 1.21 WHIP in 34+ IP but has been scored on in 3 of his past 4 outings.

Detroit Tigers
Todd Jones still Closer
Fernando Rodney still 1st in line
Joel Zumaya still 2nd in line

Jones has to be considered on shaky closer ground after blowing his 4th save of the season last night upping his ERA to 7.29. The veteran relieved Rodney in the 8th in a 2 run game, 2 runners on and 1 out. Jones proceeded to allow 4 straight hits before being pulled for Bobby Seay with the Tigers' suddenly down 3.

Rodney has 7 saves on the season with a 1.09 WHIP in 28+ IP with 27 K. Zumaya has a 1.14 WHIP in 29 IP with 34 K & 14 holds and has not been scored on in his past 8 outings.

Boston Red Sox
Jonathan Papelbon still Closer
Keith Foulke still 1st in line
Craig Hansen to 2nd in line in place of Julian Tavarez

Hansen made his 2006 MLB debut last night called on to set up Papelbon in the 8th in a 3-2 game; 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 0 K. The 22-year-old Hansen has high "future closer" value and may be given a chance to claim a late inning role. Prior to the call up this week Hansen had a 1.52 WHIP in 23+ AAA IP due to 17 BB pitching in a starters' role. Previously the 2nd year pro had a 0.72 WHIP in 11 AA IP with 12 K.

Foulke has not pitched since May 31 due to a back injury and Mike Timlin could be close to returning from the DL and a shoulder injury.

Thursday, June 8, 2006

Texas Rangers
Akinori Otsuka still Closer
Francisco Cordero still 1st in line
Rick Bauer still 2nd in line

Otsuka was used in the 8th yesterday having not pitched in 5 days and the opposing team not guaranteed to bat in the 9th with the Rangers' losing 2-0. Otsuka pitched a scoreless inning and after the Rangers took the lead 4-2, Cordero closed out the 9th with a perfect inning for his 5th save of the year.

Cordero is gaining closer momentum picking up saves each of the past 2 days as the opportunities have come his way. Otsuka will have to stay away from blown saves to keep the former closer Cordero in a set up role.

San Francisco Giants
Armando Benitez still Closer
Jeremy Accardo still 1st in line
Tim Worrell to 2nd in line in place of Brian Wilson

Worrell is back from the DL and a neck injury. The veteran reliever doesn't have good numbers on the season despite opening the year as the Giants' closer. After surrending 2 runs in his return yesterday Worrell has a 1.63 WHIP and 7.63 ERA in 15+ IP with 7 K, 6 saves and zero holds. Wilson has been sent back to the minors after posting a 1.74 WHIP in 6+ IP.

Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Texas Rangers
Akinori Otsuka still Closer
Francisco Cordero still 1st in line
Rick Bauer still 2nd in line

Cordero got out of a bases loaded 1 out jam last night in the 8th with a 4 run lead. The former closer then stayed on for the 9th to record his first save since his demotion; 1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.

Otsuka has blown just 1 save in his new closer role and has impressive numbers on the season; 0.91 WHIP in 25+ IP with 21 K and 10 saves. Cordero has settled in to a set up role and has secured his next in line to close role if Otsuka does stumble. Cordero's season numbers; 1.41 WHIP in 29 IP with 32 K and 7 holds.

Toronto Blue Jays
B.J. Ryan still Closer
Justin Speier still 1st in line
Jason Frasor to 2nd in line in place of Pete Walker

Frasor has pitched better after a rough April, as he's only been scored on in 3 of his past 13 appearances. On the season the 28-year-old has a 1.50 WHIP in 22 IP with 20 K and 4 holds. Walker has pitched more in a middle role and has a 1.34 WHIP in 25+ IP with 23 K and 1 hold.

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

New York Mets
Billy Wagner still Closer
Duaner Sanchez still 1st in line
Aaron Heilman still 2nd in line

Chad Bradford got the final out in the 8th last night then stayed on for the 9th in a 3 run game to convert his first save of the season; 1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Wagner, Sanchez and Heilman were all rested after each pitching the past 2 days. Bradford has a 1.13 WHIP in 20+ IP with 17 K and 2 holds.

San Francisco Giants
Armando Benitez still Closer
Jeremy Accardo still 1st in line
Brian Wilson still 2nd in line

Brad Hennessey recorded a 3 inning plus save yesterday in a 12 run Giants' blow out; 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K. The 26-year-old swingman has a 1.21 WHIP in 40+ IP with 15 K and zero holds.

Monday, June 5, 2006

San Francisco Giants
Armando Benitez still Closer
Jeremy Accardo to 1st in line in place of Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson to 2nd in line in place of Jeremy Accardo

Benitez blew a 10th inning save chance yesterday on solo HRs from Jose Valentin and Lastings Milledge. Then Accardo converted a 12th inning save chance in a 1 run game with a perfect inning.

There is still some doubt with Benitez after his terrible Spring Training and DL stint that followed. The Giants have not provided the veteran closer with many save opportunities, but he has still blown 3 of 7 and has a poor 1.65 WHIP in 13+ IP.

Accardo is starting to build impressive numbers on the season with a 0.97 WHIP in 23+ IP with 23 K and 3 holds. The 24-year-old rookie has a 6 game scoreless appearance streak.

Fellow rookie Wilson has a 1.74 WHIP in 6+ IP with 7 K.

Cincinnati Reds
Todd Coffey still Closer
David Weathers still 1st in line
Esteban Yan to 2nd in line in place of Kent Mercker

Coffey blew a 10th inning save chance yesterday with Yan converting an 11th inning opportunity in a 2 run game with a scoreless inning; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.

Yan was a disaster with the Angels earlier in the season with a 6.85 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 22+ IP. The 30-year-old veteran now has 2 scoreless appearances with the Reds; 2 H, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.

Kansas City Royals
Ambiorix Burgos still Closer
Elmer Dessens still 1st in line
Joel Peralta still 2nd in line

Dessens, who never received a save opportunity in Burgos' brief demotion, recorded a 3 inning save yesterday in a 5 run KC win; 3 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. The veteran journeyman has a 1.18 WHIP in 31+ IP with 27 K and 7 holds.

Closer Watch Blog Archive:
Week 8
Week 9