The Inside Pitch Closer Watch Blog |
September 1, 2007 Cleveland Indians Joe Borowski still Closer Rafael Betancourt still 1st in line Tom Mastny still 2nd in line Betancourt pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 9th in a 8-5 game yesterday for his first save of the season. Borowski was rested after pitching each of the previous 3 days. The 32-year-old Betancourt is one of the top setup men in the AL, with an impressive 0.71 WHIP on the season in 65 IP with 59 K and 26 holds. Cincinnati Reds David Weathers still Closer Eddie Guardado still 1st in line Jared Burton to 2nd in line in place of Marcus McBeth AAA Burton is emerging as a setup man with the Reds with a 1.24 WHIP in 33 IP with 30 K and 7 holds on the season. The 26-year-old rookie had a 5.19 ERA in 8+ first half IP and has a 1.85 ERA in 24+ second IP. McBeth's future closer value took a hit after he posted a 7.59 ERA in 10+ IP before getting sent back to AAA in early July. August 30, 2007 Atlanta Braves Rafael Soriano still Closer Peter Moylan still 1st in line Octavio Dotel DL still 2nd in line Soriano struck out 2 of the final 4 batters for his 6th save of the year yesterday in a 7-4 game. Manager Bobby Cox talked about a closer committee when Bob Wickman was cut last week, but Soriano may be the primary closer here. This was the Braves' first post Wickman save opportunity and the first appearance by Soriano since the closer role become vacant. The 27-year-old Soriano has a 0.93 WHIP in 59 IP on the season with 53 K. San Diego Padres Trevor Hoffman still Closer Heath Bell still 1st in line Cla Meredith still 2nd in line Bell pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 9th for his second spot save in a week of a 3-1 game yesterday. Hoffman was rested after recording saves on each of the 2 previous days, and 3 of the past 4. The 29-year-old Bell is emerging as the firm next in line closer in SD and has a 1.01 WHIP in 76+ IP with 79 K and 27 holds. Kansas City Royals Joakim Soria still Closer David Riske to 1st in line in place of Zack Greinke Zack Greinke to 2nd in line in place of David Riske Riske got the final out in a 7th inning jam last night then stayed on through the 9th in a 5-0 final for his 4th save of the season; 2 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. The 30-year-old Riske has a 1.31 WHIP in 60+ IP on the season with 47 K and 14 holds. Greinke has rejoined the starting rotation after resurrecting his career in the bullpen earlier this season. August 29, 2007 Texas Rangers C.J. Wilson still Closer Joaquin Benoit still 1st in line Frank Francisco still 2nd in line Benoit pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 9th in a 4-3 game last night for his 2nd save of the season. The Rangers were off on Monday, but Wilson threw 42 pitches in 2 games over the weekend. The 30-year-old Benoit has a 1.11 WHIP on the season in 69+ IP with 77 K and 17 holds. It remains to be seen if the hard throwing right hander moves in to a co-closer role with Wilson or this becomes just a spot save. Toronto Blue Jays Jeremy Accardo still Closer Casey Janssen still 1st in line Jason Frasor still 2nd in line Janssen got the final out in a 5-4 game yesterday for his 4th save of the season. Accardo was pulled from the save opportunity after allowing 2 runs on 2 outs and leaving 2 runners on base. The 25-year-old Accardo has 25 saves in 29 opportunties and has a 1.20 WHIP in 55 IP with 50 K and should remain the secure closer in Toronto. The 25-year-old Janssen has a 1.16 WHIP in 64 IP with 33 K and 22 holds on the season. New York Yankees Mariano Rivera still Closer Joba Chamberlain to 1st in line in place of Luis Vizcaino Luis Vizcaino to 2nd in line in place of Joba Chamberlain Chamberlain pitched a scoreless 8th inning last night for his 4th hold of the season. The 21-year-old hard throwing right hander continues to impress, having not allowed a run over 8 appearances with a dominating 17 K in 10 IP with a 0.70 WHIP. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Week 21 2007 Week 20 2007 Week 19 2007 Week 18 2007 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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