The Inside Pitch Closer Watch Blog |
Sunday, August 26, 2006 Houston Astros Brad Lidge to Closer in place of Dan Wheeler Dan Wheeler to 1st in line in place of Brad Lidge Fernando Nieve DL still 2nd in line Lidge struck out the side in a perfect inning of a 7-4 game yesterday to record his first save in over 2 weeks. The hard throwing right hander appears to have regained his closers' role for the second time this year. Lidge has a string of 4 scoreless outings; 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K. San Francisco Giants Armando Benitez still Closer Vinnie Chulk still 1st in line Mike Stanton still 2nd in line Stanton pitched a perfect 1 strike out 9th yesterday in a 4-1 game to record his 3rd save since coming over to the Giants. Benitez was unavailable with elbow inflammation that the veteran doesn't believe is serious. Benitez remains a shaky injury risk closer as he has been all season. San Diego Padres Trevor Hoffman still Closer Scott Linebrink still 1st in line Cla Meredith to 2nd in line in place of Scott Williamson Williamson has been placed on the DL with an elbow injury. Meredith is having an impressive rookie season with a current 20 game scoreless appearance streak. The 23-year-old rookie has a 0.65 WHIP and 0.98 ERA in 27+ IP with 18 K and 9 holds on the season. Cleveland Indians Tom Mastny still Closer Rafael Betancourt still 1st in line Jason Davis to 2nd in line in place of Fausto Carmona Carmona has been sent to AAA to be converted back to a starting pitcher with the plan of joining the major league rotation in September. The hard throwing rookie showed promise as a late inning reliever but ulitimately failed with a 1.59 WHIP and 5.76 ERA in 54+ IP. Davis was passed over by Mastny for the closer's job and has a 1.53 WHIP in 44+ IP with 29 K, 5 holds and 1 save on the season. Saturday, August 26, 2006 Cleveland Indians Tom Mastny still Closer Rafael Betancourt to 1st in line in place of Jason Davis Fausto Carmona still 2nd in line Betancourt pitched a perfect 1 strike out 9th in a 4-2 game yesterday to earn his first save of the season. The Indians' new closer, Mastny, was rested after appearing each of the 2 previous days. Betancourt has a 1.13 WHIP in 43+ IP with 36 K and 5 holds. Mastny has a 0.96 WHIP in 8+ IP with 12 K and is 2 for 2 in save chances. Philadelphia Phillies Arthur Rhodes to committee from 1st in line Ryan Madson to committee from 2nd in line Geoff Geary to committee from 3rd in line Tom Gordon DL Madson pitched a scoreless 9th in a 4-3 game yesterday to record his 3rd save of the year; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Manager Charlie Manuel continues to go with a committee as the Philllies' rack up the save opportunities in Gordon's absence, (Madson has 2 saves, Rhodes 2 and Geary 1). Gordon is schedule to throw a simulated game early next week as he looks to return from a shoulder injury. Madson has a 1.40 WHIP in 15 IP with 16 K, 3 holds and 2 saves since returning to the bullpen this month. Washington Nationals Chad Cordero still Closer Jon Rauch still 1st in line Saul Rivera still 2nd in line Rivera recorded his first career save last night despite allowing 2 ninth inning runs; 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K. Cordero was not available due to an ingrown toenail. Rivera has a 1.64 WHIP in 39 IP with 25 K and 4 holds on the season. Rauch set Rivera up last night with a perfect 1 strike out 8th. The 27-year-old has a 1.21 WHIP in 72+ IP with 72 K and 13 holds on the season. Houston Astros Dan Wheeler still Closer Brad Lidge still 1st in line Fernando Nieve DL still 2nd in line Wheeler pitched a scoreless 8th last night in a 3-1 game. Lidge came on for the 9th with the lead at 5-1 and pitched a perfect 2 strike out inning. Lidge has not allowed a run over his past 3 outings as he looks to reclaim his closers' role yet again; 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Florida Marlins Joe Borowski still Closer Taylor Tankersley still 1st in line Sergio Mitre to 2nd in line in place of Logan Kensing Mitre set Borowski up last night with a scoreless 8th; 1 IP, 0 R, 1 HBP, 1 BB, 0 K. The 25-year-old has been moved to the bullpen after a long DL stint and has a 5 game scoreless appearance streak; 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K. Kensing is on the DL with a wrist injury and is out indefinitely. Friday, August 25, 2006 Cincinnati Reds David Weathers to Closer from co-closer Scott Schoeneweis to 1st in line from co-closer Todd Coffey still 2nd in line Eddie Guardado DL Weathers pitched a perfect 2 strike out 9th in a 6-3 game last night to earn his first save since early May. This is still officially a "committee", but Weathers could be the lead until Guardado returns from the DL, if he returns. The veteran Weathers has a current 8 game scoreless appearance streak; 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K with 3 holds and now 1 save. Thursday, August 24, 2006 Philadelphia Phillies Arthur Rhodes still Closer Ryan Madson still 1st in line Geoff Geary still 2nd in line Tom Gordon DL Rhodes got the first out in the 9th yesterday in a 2-1 game, but was then pulled for the right handed Geary with the right handed Phil Nevin pinch hitting. Geary proceeded to retire the next two batters to record his first career save. The Phillies have now had saves on 4 consecutive days as manager Charlie Manuel is one of the few managers that actually meant he would use a "closer committee". Rhodes has 2 of those saves, Madson 1 and now Geary 1. Despite being pulled last night, Rhodes could still be the lead to this committee. Geary has a 1.44 WHIP in 71 IP with 43 K, 7 holds and has a current 7 game scoreless appearance streak. Boston Red Sox Jonathan Papelbon still Closer Mike Timlin still 1st in line Keith Foulke to 2nd in line in place of Manny Delcarmen Foulke set Papelbon up last night getting the first 2 outs in the 8th and now has 3 scoreless appearances since returning from his latest DL stint; 4+ IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K. Delcarmen has been inconsistent of late allowing runs in 3 of his past 6 outings and his WHIP is up to 1.51 on the season. Wednesday, August 23, 2006 Philadelphia Phillies Arthur Rhodes still Closer Ryan Madson still 1st in line Geoff Geary still 2nd in line Tom Gordon DL Madson pitched a scoreless 9th in a 6-3 game yesterday to record his first save of the year; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K. Rhodes was not used after picking up saves each of the previous two days. Madson has salvaged his season since returning to the bullpen in August after failing as a starting pitcher; 8 relief outings this month with a 1.43 WHIP over 7+ IP with 8 K and 3 holds. Madson could potentially be used in a co-closer role with Gordon out, however Rhodes may be the primary closer here in the interim with continued effective pitching. San Francisco Giants Armando Benitez still Closer Vinnie Chulk still 1st in line Mike Stanton still 2nd in line Benitez was pulled from the 9th yesterday after allowing a run on a walk and 2 hits around getting 2 outs. Left handed Steve Kline came on to face the left handed Chad Tracy in the 7-4 game and gave up a double allowing both of Benitez' runners to score. With the lead down to 1, Kline got a ground out to record his first save of the season. Benitez continues to have an mediocre year with a 1.54 WHIP in 35 IP and 8 blown saves in only 23 opportunities. The 33-year-old veteran closer hasn't seemed healthy all season. Arizona Diamondbacks Jorge Julio still Closer Jose Valverde to 1st in line in place of Tony Pena Tony Pena to 2nd in line in place of Jose Valverde Valverde pitched 2 scoreless innings yesterday with the D'Backs trailing and has now allowed just 1 run over 3 outings since returing from AAA; 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K. Pena has decent future closer value, but has a 1.50 WHIP and 4.66 ERA now after allowing 4 runs in 1 IP last night. Houston Astros Dan Wheeler still Closer Brad Lidge to 1st in line in place of Fernando Nieve Fernando Nieve DL to 2nd in line in place of Brad Lidge Nieve has been placed on the DL with an elbow injury. Lidge had his first clean inning yesterday since being removed from the closers' role; 3 games since the demotion, 3+ IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K with 1 loss. Wheeler has recorded the 1 save opportunity provided since Lidge was demoted and has an impressive 17 game scoreless appearance streak; 13+ IP, 9 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 17 K with 6 holds and 3 saves. Wheeler is the better pitcher right now, we'll see if manager Phil Garner can resist from returning to his veteran closer in Lidge. Tuesday, August 22, 2006 Philadelphia Phillies Arthur Rhodes to Closer in place of Tom Gordon Ryan Madson to 1st in line in place of Arthur Rhodes Geoff Geary to 2nd in line in place of Ryan Madson Tom Gordon to DL Rhodes recorded his second save in 2 days yesterday, despite allowing 2 ninth inning runs; 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 0 K. Gordon was placed on the DL yesterday with his shoulder injury. Flash had a pain free throwing session on Monday, but believes the team wants to take a conservative approach in getting the veteran closer back in September. The two runs Rhodes allowed yesterday were the first time he was scored on since July 25, breaking a 9 game scoreless appearance streak. Cincinnati Reds David Weathers still co-closer Scott Schoeneweis to co-closer in place of Bill Bray Todd Coffey still 2nd in line Schoeneweis pitched a perfect 2 strike out 9th in a 4-3 game yesterday to earn his first save with the Reds. The 32-year-old left hander got the call with 2 left hand hitters due up in the inning. Schoeneweis has a .632 opposition OPS against left hand hitters this year and .827 versus right hand hitters. The former Blue Jay has not allowed a run in his 3 appearances with the Reds; 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Weathers has only been scored on in just 1 of his 11 August appearances; 10+ IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 10 K with 4 holds. Bray has struggled of late allowing runs in 4 of his past 5 outings. New York Yankees Mariano Rivera still Closer Kyle Farnsworth still 1st in line Octavio Dotel still 2nd in line Farnsworth pitched a perfect 1 strike out 9th in a 2-1 game yesterday to record his second save of the year. Rivera was rested after earning a win in a two inning, 30 pitch outing on Sunday. Farnsworth has a 1.37 WHIP in 54 IP with 59 K and 19 holds on the season. Monday, August 21, 2006 Cincinnati Reds David Weathers to co-closer Bill Bray to co-closer Todd Coffey still 2nd in line Eddie Guardado to DL Guardado has landed on the DL with his forearm injury. Manager Jerry Narron mentioned a "committee" to replace Every Day Eddie. Narron also said the Reds would keep Coffey in his more successful set up role. Bray picked up two fill in saves for the Reds after coming over from D.C., but has struggled of late allowing 15 hits over 7+ IP and has been scored on in 4 of his last 5 outings. The 23-year-old rookie has a 1.60 WHIP in 39+ IP with 29 K and 3 holds on the season. Weathers began the season as the Reds' closer before bowing to Coffey. The 36-year-old veteran has a 1.43 WHIP in 58+ IP with 8 holds and 9 saves. Oakland A's Justin Duchscherer to Closer in place of Huston Street Kiko Calero to 1st in line in place of Justin Duchscherer Joe Kennedy to 2nd in line in place of Kiko Calero Huston Street to DL Street has been placed on the DL with a groin injury. Manager Ken Macha talked about a closer committee to fill in for the all-star closer. Duchscherer and Calero have both recorded fill in saves this year for the A's. Duchscherer recorded the A's last fill in save on August 14 and has a 1.24 WHIP in 41 IP with 33 K, 10 holds and 3 saves on the season. Calero has a 1.19 WHIP in 48+ IP with 57 K, 18 holds and 2 saves. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Seth McClung to Closer in place of Brian Meadows Brian Meadows to 1st in line in place of Seth McClung Chad Orvella still 2nd in line Meadows had another poor outing yesterday allowing 5 runs in 1 IP pitching in the middle innings. The D'Rays sent McClung to AAA to convert to relief with the hopes he could close in the second half. The 25-year-old McClung has a current 4 game scoreless appearance streak and could receive the D'Rays' next save opportunity. Philadelphia Phillies Tom Gordon still Closer Arthur Rhodes to 1st in line in place of Ryan Madson Ryan Madson to 2nd in line in place of Arthur Rhodes Rhodes struck out the side while recording his second save of the year in a 12-10 game yesterday; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Gordon is to test his sore shoulder today in a throwing session as the extend of the injury is still to be determined. The 36-year-old Rhodes has poor overall numbers on the season, (1.68 WHIP), but has pitched real well of late with a current 9 game scoreless appearance streak; 8+ IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Week 20 Week 19 Week 18 Week 17 Week 16 Week 15 Week 14 Week 13 Week 12 Week 11 Week 10 Week 9 Week 8 |
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