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Sunday, September 24, 2006 Cleveland Indians Rafael Betancourt to Co-Closer from 1st in line Tom Mastny to Co-Closer from Closer Jason Davis still 2nd in line Betancourt pitched a perfect 2 strike out 9th in a 6-3 game yesterday to record his 2nd save of the year. Mastny has struggled of late allowing runs in each of his past 4 outings, (8 runs in 3 IP). Mastny has a 1.53 WHIP and 5.51 ERA in 16+ IP as his outlook of entering 2007 as the Indians' closer is fading fast. The 31-year-old Betancourt has a 1.10 WHIP in 54+ IP with 44 K and 7 holds on the year. Cincinnati Reds David Weathers still Closer Scott Schoeneweis still 1st in line Todd Coffey still 2nd in line Coffey got the last 2 outs in the 5th inning of a 3-2 game on Friday night. The game was then called for rain and Coffey was credited with a save. Coffey blew his chance of emerging as the Reds' closer earlier in the season and the Reds' currently feel he's more effective as a set up man. The 26-year-old has a 1.41 WHIP and 3.42 ERA in 73+ IP with 54 K, 14 holds and 8 saves on the season. Friday, September 22, 2006 Houston Astros Dan Wheeler to Closer from co-closer Brad Lidge to 1st in line from co-closer Fernando Nieve still 2nd in line Wheeler pitched a perfect 1 strike out 9th in a 6-5 game yesterday to record his 7th save of the year. Wheeler has received the Astros' past 3 save opportunities and is most likely the closer for the remainder of the season. The 28-year-old has a 1.11 WHIP in 65 IP with 64 K. There's a good chance the arbitration eligible Lidge doesn't return to the Astros next season after his 6 blown save, 5.54 ERA and 1.47 WHIP campaign. Wednesday, September 20, 2006 New York Yankees Mariano Rivera still Closer Kyle Farnsworth still 1st in line Octavio Dotel still 2nd in line Farnsworth pitched a perfect 9th last night in a 6-3 game to record his 6th save of the year. Rivera had a successful throwing sesseion yesterday and is targeted to return this weekend after missing 3 weeks with an elbow injury. Farnsworth is 4-4 in save chances filling in for Rivera this month and has a 1.35 WHIP on the season in 62 IP with 71 K. Baltimore Orioles Chris Ray still Closer Chris Britton to 1st in line in place of LaTroy Hawkins LaTroy Hawkins to 2nd in line in place of Todd Williams Britton pitched a perfect 1 strike out 9th in a 5-4 game yesterday to record his first career save. Ray was rested after throwing 56 pitches the previous 2 days. Britton is a 23-year-old rookie with a 1.13 WHIP in 52+ IP with 39 K and 6 holds on the season. Colorado Rockies Brian Fuentes still Closer Jeremy Affeldt to 1st in line in place of Jose Mesa Ramon Ramirez still 2nd in line Affeldt got the final out in the 8th last night with the bases loaded in a 8-4 game and stayed on for the 9th to record his first NL save in a 12-4 final; 1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. The 27-year-old Affeldt was having a rough month prior to this outing allowing 13 runs over 7 outings. The former Royal did close for KC briefly 2 years ago picking up 13 saves. Tuesday, September 19, 2006 Houston Astros Dan Wheeler to co-closer from 1st in line Brad Lidge to co-closer from Closer Fernando Nieve still 2nd in line Wheeler allowed 1 ninth inning run last night in recording his 6th save of the year in a 5-3 final; 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, O BB, 1 K. Wheeler has the Astros past 2 saves and may be the primary closer over Lidge despite no official announcement from manager Phil Garner. Wheeler has a 1.13 WHIP in 64 IP with 63 K and 24 holds on the season. Lidge has allowed 5 runs over his last 2 outings and may not return to the closer role in what is his third time of being removed from the role this year. New York Yankees Mariano Rivera still Closer Kyle Farnsworth still 1st in line Octavio Dotel still 2nd in line Jose Veras got the final out with a runner on in a 7-6 game to record his first career save yesterday. Dotel gave up a 3 run HR in the inning to cut the lead to 1. Farnsworth wasn't used after pitching the previous 2 days. Rivera could return later this week assuming a successful throwing session today. Veras is a 25-year-old rookie with a 1.31 WHIP in 5+ IP with 2 K and had a 1.14 WHIP in 59+ AAA IP earlier in the year with 68 K and 21 saves. Monday, September 18, 2006 Oakland A's Huston Street still Closer Justin Duchscherer still 1st in line Kiko Calero still 2nd in line Duchscherer pitched a perfect 1 strike out 9th in a 5-4 games yesterday to record his ninth save of the year. Street was rested after picking up saves on each of the previous 2 days. Duchscherer has proven to be a capable closer backing up Street this year with a 1.08 WHIP in 52 IP with 47 K and 14 holds. New York Yankees Mariano Rivera still Closer Kyle Farnsworth still 1st in line Octavio Dotel still 2nd in line Farnsworth pitched a scoreless 9th in a 7-5 game in the double header night cap on Saturday; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Rivera had a successful throwing session over the weekend and could be back within a week. Farnsworth has a 1.37 WHIP in 62 IP with 71 K, 19 holds and 5 saves on the season. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Week 24 Week 23 Week 22 Week 21 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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