The Inside Pitch Closer Watch Blog |
Sunday, August 5, 2007 Oakland A's Alan Embree to Closer in place of Huston Street Huston Street to 1st in line in place of Alan Embree Santiago Casilla still 2nd in line Embree pitched a perfect, 1 stikeout 9th in a 2-1 game on Saturday for his 13th save of the season. Manager Bob Geren continues to stick with Embree in the closers' role despite Street returning from the DL almost 2 weeks ago. Street pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 8th to set Embree up yesterday. The 24-year-old has now appeared in 6 games since coming off the DL and has not been scored upon in his past 3 outings; 3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K and 2 holds. The 37-year-old Embree now has a 10 game scoreless appearance streak; 10 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 10 K. Perhaps Geren will leave Embree in the closers' role as long as his current hot streak continues, despite having veteran closer Street ready to return to the role. Detroit Tigers Todd Jones still Closer Fernando Rodney to 1st in line in place of Tim Byrdak Tim Byrdak to 2nd in line in place of Zach Miner Rodney has been activated from the DL after missing almost 6 weeks with a shoulder injury. The 30-year-old has a 1.45 WHIP on the season in 28+ IP with 25 K and 6 holds. The Tigers have been short on quality right hand setup men with Rodney and Zumaya both on the DL. (Zumaya could return later this month from finger surgery). Saturday, August 4, 2007 Baltimore Orioles Danys Baez to Closer in place of Jamie Walker Jamie Walker to 1st in line in place of Chad Bradford Chad Bradford to 2nd in line in place of Danys Baez Manager Dave Trembley named Baez the O's closer prior to yesterdays' game. The veteran responded with a scoreless inning ( 1 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 K) in a 3-1 game last night for his first save of the season. Baez had been dealing with an illness, which may have delayed Trembley in making this move following Chris Ray going on the DL. The 29-year-old Baez has a 1.31 WHIP in 37+ IP on the season with 24 K and 13 holds. The former Devil Ray had 41 saves two years ago for Tampa Bay. Walker was 4 for 4 in save chances leading up to this move, however Trembley must feel the left hander is move valuable in a setup role. Walker extended his scoreless appearance streak to 19 games yesterday setting Baez up with a perfect, 1 strikeout 8th inning. San Francisco Giants Brad Hennessey still Closer Randy Messenger still 1st in line Steve Kline to 1st in line in place of Kevin Correia Kline got the final 2 outs of a 4-2 game on Thursday night for his 2nd save of the season. Hennessey got the final 2 outs in the 8th inning, but was pulled in the 9th after loading the bases. The left handed Kline was brought in to face 2 left handers. The 34-year-old actually has a better opposition OPS against right hand hitters than left; .685 vs. .749. Kline has a 1.53 WHIP on the season in 33+ IP with 11 K and 4 holds. Despite the shaky outing, Hennessey is still the primary closer in San Francisco. The 27-year-old Hennessey has a 1.18 WHIP in 45 IP this year with 30 K and is 9 for 11 in save chances. Houston Astros Brad Lidge still Closer Chad Qualls still 1st in line Trever Miller still 2nd in line Brian Moehler pitched a scoreless 14th inning (1 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K) in a 12-11 game on Thursday night for his first career save. Lidge, Qualls and Miller all pitched earlier in the game. The veteran swingman, Moehler has a 1.55 WHIP on the season in 38+ IP with 27 K and zero holds. Thursday, August 2, 2007 Oakland A's Huston Street still Closer Alan Embree still 1st in line Santiago Casilla still 2nd in line Embree retired the final 5 batters in a 3-2 game yesterday to record his 12th save of the season. The A's have yet to return Street to the closers' role, but it's expected the veteran closer will get his job back. The 24-year-old Street pitched a scoreless 7th inning, (1 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K), picking up a hold in a 7-3 game on Tuesday. The Street has a 1.11 WHIP on the season in 21+ IP with 24 K. The 37-year-old Embree is now 12 for 14 in save chances and has a 1.21 WHIP in 47 IP with 37 K this year. Texas Rangers C.J. Wilson still Closer Joaquin Benoit still 1st in line Frank Francisco still 2nd in line The left handed Wilson came on to strike out the left handed Kenny Lofton to record his 2nd save in two days in a 9-6 game last night. Benoit pitched a scoreless 2 2/3 IP in front of Wilson to earn the win; 2+ IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. The 26-year-old Wilson has a 1.10 WHIP in 48 IP with 47 K. The Orioles were suppose to have an open closer role and then had the left handed Jamie Walker receive 4 of 5 save opportunties. Now the left handed Wilson has received both post Gagne save chances in Texas. Kansas City Royals Joakim Soria still Closer Zack Greinke still 1st in line David Riske still 2nd in line Soria pitched a scoreless inning yesterday for a successful save chance the day after Dotel was dealt; 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K. The 23-year-old Soria has a 1.04 WHIP in 45+ IP with 53 K on the season. Wednesday, August 1, 2007 Baltimore Orioles Jamie Walker to Closer from Co-Closer Chad Bradford to 1st in line from Co-Closer Danys Baez still 2nd in line Walker got the final 2 outs last night in a 5-3 game for his 4th save of the season; 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K. The 36-year-old Walker has now received 4 of the 5 save chances since Chris Ray went on the DL 2 weeks ago. The left handed is emerging as the unlikely closer for the Orioles. Walker has a 1.14 WHIP on the season in 41+ IP with 28 K and has not allowed a run in 17 appearances covering 13+ IP. Boston Red Sox Jonathan Papelbon still Closer Eric Gagne to 1st in line in place of Hideki Okajima Hideki Okajima to 2nd in line place of Manny Delcarmen The Red Sox acquired Gagne yesterday from the Rangers to set up Papelbon and provide closer insurance. The 31-year-old Gagne had a 1.05 WHIP in 33+ IP with Texas with 29 K and was 16 for 17 in save chances. Texas Rangers C.J. Wilson to Closer in place of Eric Gagne Joaquin Benoit to 1st in line in place of Akinori Otsuka DL Frank Francisco to 2nd in line in place of Joaquin Benoit Manager Ron Washington talked yesterday about Wilson, Benoit and Francisco as closer options with Gagne traded and Otsuka injured. Wilson recored the final 5 outs in a 3-1 game yesterday for his first save of the season; 1 2/3, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. The left handed Wilson came on with 2 left handers due up in the 8th and 1 more in the 9th. The 26-year-old dominates left handers with a .330 opposition OPS and has a .757 mark against right handers. Wilson has a 1.11 WHIP on the season in 47+ IP with 46 K and 11 holds. The 30-year-old Benoit has a 1.20 WHIP in 55 IP with 56 K and 13 holds. The hard throwing right hander emerged as a reliable setup man this year after struggling to find a role in Texas over the previous 5 seasons. The 27-year-old Francisco has a 1.45 WHIP in 41+ IP with 27 K and 12 holds. The hard throwing right hander set Wilson up last night recording 2 outs in the 8th, 1 via strikeout. Otsuka is on the DL with a forearm injury, however there have been rumors that the former Japanese Leaguer may be facing a more serious elbow injury. Kansas City Royals Joakim Soria to Closer in place of Octavio Dotel Zack Greinke to 1st in line in place of Joakim Soria David Riske to 2nd in line in place of Zack Greinke Soria returns to the closer' role with Dotel off to Atlanta. Soria filled the role the first 2 months of the season with 10 saves in 13 chances. The 23-year-old right hander has a 1.04 WHIP on the year in 44+ IP with 51 K. Atlanta Braves Bob Wickman still Closer Octavio Dotel to 1st in line in place of Rafael Soriano Rafael Soriano to 2nd in line in place of Tyler Yates The Braves added late inning depth with the acquisition of Dotel yesterday. The 33-year-old right hander will set Wickman up and provide closer insurance, (there were rumors yesterday that Wickman could even be dealt with Dotel becoming the Braves' closer). Dotel missed the first 2 months of the season with an oblique injury and has a 1.52 WHIP since in 23 IP with 29 K and was 11 for 14 in save chances. Tuesday, July 31, 2007 Philadelphia Phillies Brett Myers still Closer Antonio Alfonseca still 1st in line Tom Gordon still 2nd in line Myers pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 9th in a 4-1 game last night for his first save since coming off the DL last week. Myers moved back in to the closers' role after just 1 non save outing over the weekend. The 26-year-old Myers has a 1.28 WHIP in 21+ relief outings this year with 33 K and is 7 for 8 in save chances. Kansas City Royals Octavio Dotel still Closer Joakim Soria still 1st in line Zack Greinke still 2nd in line Dotel is rumored to be going to Atlanta today for starting pitcher Kyle Davies. A Dotel trade could get Soria back in the Royals' closer role. The 23-year-old Soria spent the first 2 months of the season closing with Dotel on the DL and was 10 for 13 in save chances. The rookie right hander has a 1.04 WHIP on the season in 44+ IP with 51 K and 9 holds. Greinke has gotten his career on track with a move to the bullpen this year. The 23-year-old right hander has a 1.08 WHIP in 44+ relief IP with 46 K and 9 holds. Seattle Mariners J.J. Putz still Closer Brandon Morrow still 1st in line Mark Lowe to 2nd in line in place of Chris Reitsma Reitsma is back on the DL and facing season ending elbow surgery. Lowe returned from the DL (elbow surgery) over the weekend picking up a hold in a 1/3 of an inning outing. The 24-year-old Lowe had a 1.13 WHIP in 18+ IP last year with 20 K and 6 holds. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Week 17 2007 Week 16 2007 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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