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Sunday, July 22, 2007 Los Angeles Dodgers Takashi Saito still Closer Jonathan Broxton still 1st in line Rudy Seanez still 2nd in line Broxton struck 3 of the final 5 hitters yesterday in an 8-6 game to record his 2nd save of the season; 1 2\3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Saito was unavailable with a shoulder injury and is considered day to day. The hard throwing Broxton is the firm next in line and future closer for the Dodgers. The 23-year-old right hander has a 1.18 WHIP on the season in 50+ IP with 59 K and 23 holds. Saturday, July 21, 2007 Chicago Cubs Ryan Dempster to Closer in place of Bob Howry Bob Howry to 1st in line in place of Carlos Marmol Carlos Marmol to 2nd in line in place of Ryan Dempster Dempster was activated from the DL (oblique) yesterday and manager Lou Piniella mentioned that the veteran will go right back in to the closers' role. The 30-year-old is 16 for 18 in save chances on the season with a 1.01 WHIP in 34+ IP with 33 K. Howry proved to be an adequate closer while filling in, providing the Cubs with a closer option if they decide to explore moving Dempster to the rotation again. The 33-year-old Howry was 6 for 7 in save chances, only being scored on in 1 save opportunity. The former Indian has a 1.29 WHIP on the season in 47+ IP with 39 K. Philadelphia Phillies Tom Gordon still Closer Brett Myers DL still 1st in line Antonio Alfonseca still 2nd in line Alfonseca got the final out of the 8th last night and stayed on for the 9th to record his 7th save of the year in a 7-3 final; 1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. It was revealed this week that Gordon is pitching with a tear in his shoulder labrum putting further doubt in to his closer value. Myers could move in to the closers' role if he comes back healthy from his minor league rehab (shoulder) later next week. Wednesday, July 18, 2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Al Reyes to Closer in place of Gary Glover Gary Glover to 1st in line in place of Brian Stokes Brian Stokes to 2nd in line in place of Al Reyes Reyes is to be activated from the DL today and could immediately return to the closers' role, after missing 2 weeks with a shoulder injury. The 37-year-old journeyman has surprised many this year with 17 saves in 18 chances with a 1.03 WHIP over 33 IP and 38 K. Glover was 2 for 2 in save opportunities filling in and has a 1.51 WHIP on the season in 47 IP with 27 K. Houston Astros Brad Lidge still Closer Dan Wheeler still 1st in line Chad Qualls still 2nd in line Lidge recorded his first save of the season in a 4-2 game last night with a scoreless inning; 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K. The 30-year-old can put his closer career back in the right direction with a strong second half. Lidge has a 1.19 WHIP on the season in 37+ IP with 50 K. Texas Rangers Eric Gagne still Closer Akinori Otsuka still 1st in line Joaquin Benoit still 2nd in line Ron Mahay pitched 3 scoreless innings for his first save of the season last night in a 11-4 final; 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. The 36-year-old has a 1.32 WHIP in 34 IP with 26 K and just 1 hold. The left hander is tough on lefties with a .587 opposition OPS with a .729 mark versus right handers. Monday, July 16, 2007 Philadelphia Phillies Tom Gordon to Closer in place of Antonio Alfonseca Brett Myers DL to 1st in line in place of Tom Gordon Antonio Alfonseca to 2nd in line in place of Brett Myers Gordon has been activated from the DL after missing 2 1/2 months with a shoulder injury. Flash will pitch in non save situations in his first outing or two back, but is expected to then assume the closers' role. The 39-year-old veteran will remain an injury risk for the balance of the season. Myers has another throwing session this week and could then head for a minor league rehab, potentially being activated in a week or two with the chance to challenge Gordon for the closers' role once again. Alfonseca has blown his past 2 save chances and has a 1.61 WHIP on the season in 35+ IP with just 12 K. Los Angeles Dodgers Takashi Saito still Closer Jonathan Broxton still 1st in line Rudy Seanez to 2nd in line in place of Chin-Hui Tsao DL Tsao has returned to the DL with a shoulder injury for the second time this year after a four run outing on Saturday, putting doubt in to the remainder of his 2007 season. Seanez pitched a perfect 12th inning, (Saito and Broxton appeared earlier), in a 8-7 game on Saturday for his first save in six years. The 38-year-old veteran has a 1.30 WHIP on the season in 42+ IP with 42 K and 3 holds. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Week 15 2007 Week 14 2007 Week 13 2007 Week 12 2007 Week 11 2007 Week 10 2007 Week 9 2007 Week 8 2007 Week 7 2007 Week 6 2007 Week 5 2007 Week 4 2007 Week 3 2007 Week 2 2007 Week 1 2007 Spring Training 2007 Vol II Spring Training 2007 Vol I December 2006 October 2006 2006 Season |
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