The Inside Pitch Closer Watch Blog |
Sunday, September, 16, 2007 Baltimore Orioles Jamie Walker to Closer in place of Danys Baez Chad Bradford to 1st in line in place of Jamie Walker Jim Hoey to 2nd in line in place of Chad Bradford Baez is currently shut down with an elbow injury that could require surgery. Walker, who recorded the save in his place a few days ago, could be the lead of a closer-committee over the final 2 weeks of the season. The 36-year-old Walker has a 1.25 WHIP in 55 IP on the season with 36 K, 21 holds and 5 saves. Oakland A's Huston Street still Closer Alan Embree still 1st in line Santiago Casilla still 2nd in line Embree pitched out of an 8th inning jam and then pitched the 9th for his 17th save of the season in a 7-3 final yesterday. The 37-year-old left hander has a 1.26 WHIP on the season in 68 IP with 51 K, 16 holds and 17 saves in 21 chances. Saturday, September 15, 2007 Chicago Cubs Ryan Dempster still Closer Bob Howry still 1st in line Carlos Marmol still 2nd in line Howry got the final out (1\3 IP, 2 H, 0 R) in a 5-3 game last night for his 8th save of the season. Dempster was pulled from the save opportunity after allowing 2 solo HR's. The 30-year-old Dempster is having an inconsistent September allowing runs in 5 of his 8 appearances (11 R in 8+ IP). Manager Lou Piniella hasn't shown patience for Dempster in the past, making Howry a very close next in line closer here. The 34-year-old Howry has a 1.18 WHIP on the season in 74 IP with 64 K and 21 holds. The right hander is having a strong second half with a 1.71 ERA in 31+ IP, after a 4.68 ERA in 42+ first half innings. Cincinnati Reds David Weathers still Closer Eddie Guardado still 1st in line Jared Burton still 2nd in line Bill Bray recorded his first save of the season last night despite allowing two 9th inning runs; 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R. Weathers was rested after pitching each of the previous 3 days. The 24-year-old Bray has a 1.54 WHIP on the season in 11+ IP with 12 K and 1 hold. The left hander has been tough on left hand hitters with a .513 opposition OPS versus a terrible 1.007 mark against right hand hitters. Guardado set Bray up last night striking out the side in the 8th for his 1st hold of the season. Every Day Eddie has struggled since coming back from Tommy John surgery with a 1.76 WHIP and 10.24 ERA in 9+ IP with 6 K. Friday, September 14, 2007 Baltimore Orioles Danys Baez still Closer Jamie Walker still 1st in line Chad Bradford still 2nd in line Walker got the final 4 outs in a 3-0 game last night for his 5th save of the season. Baez wasn't used after a shaky 28 pitch outing the day before. The 36-year-old Walker has a 1.24 WHIP in 54 IP on the season with 35 K and 21 holds. The left hander had an inconsistent August after a successful run as the O's closer back in July, following Chris Ray going out for the season . Baez is signed through the next 2 seasons, but his inconsistencies could have the Orioles in the market for a closer this off season; (Ray is out for 2008 with Tommy John surgery). The 30-year-old Baez has a 1.57 WHIP and 6.44 ERA in 50+ IP on the season with 29 K and 3 saves in 5 opportunites. Wednesday, September 12, 2007 San Francisco Giants Brian Wilson to Co-Closer Brad Hennessey to Co-Closer Tyler Walker still 2nd in line Wilson pitched a scoreless 9th (1 IP, 1 H) in a 2-1 game last night for his third save of the year. Manager Bruce Bochy talked yesterday about giving the struggling Hennessey, (3 blown saves in his past 5 outings), a break from the closers' role and that Wilson was option A, with Walker option B to close in his place. The opportunity may be here for Wilson to step up as the Giants' closer and head in to 2008 in that role. The hard throwing right hander was the heir apparent to Armando Benitez this past Spring Training, but command issues kept Wilson in the minors for most of the season. The 25-year-old Wilson has pitched well since a August 11 recall from the minors; 0.98 WHIP in 16+ IP with 11 K, 8 holds and now 3 saves. Tuesday, September 11, 2007 Arizona Diamondbacks Jose Valverde still Closer Tony Pena still 1st in line Brandon Lyon still 2nd in line Pena pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 9th in a 5-3 game last night for his second save of the season. Valverde was rested after recording saves each of the 3 previous days on 60 total pitches. The 25-year-old Pena struggled in August allowing 14 runs in 12+ IP, but has settled back down in September with 5 scoreless outings. The hard throwing right hander has solid future closer value with a 1.03 WHIP on the season in 79+ IP with 57 K and 27 holds. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Week 23 2007 Week 22 2007 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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