Closer Watch Blog

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Atlanta Braves
Ken Ray still co-closer
Chris Reitsma still co-closer
Chad Paronto still 2nd in line

Manager Bobby Cox continued to show low closer confidence in Reitsma yesterday pulling him from a save opportunity. Reitsma got the first 2 outs in the 9th in a 1 run game and was then relieved after allowing a hit with left hand hitter Jacque Jones due up. Left handed Mike Remlinger got the call and allowed a single to Jones and then got Ronny Cedeno to ground out for his 2nd save of the season.

The 40-year-old Remlinger has a 1.28 WHIP 15+ IP with 15 K with 2 holds on the season. With the Braves' closer spot currently unsecure, Remlinger could receive another situational lefthand save oportunity.

Reitsma has been terrible against left hand hitters this year, 1.080 opposition OPS, supporting Cox' move to Remlinger yesterday. With the way Reitsma has pitched this year and how his manager is currently using, it's hard to see him remaining in save situations for much longer. Ray set up in the 8th of yesterdays' game with a scoreless, 1 hit inning.

Minnesota Twins
Joe Nathan still Closer
Juan Rincon still 1st in line
Jesse Crain still 2nd in line

Rincon relieved Crain in the 8th with 2 on and no outs in a 3 run game. Rincon got a ground ball, TRIPLE PLAY to get out of the inning. The stayed on for the 9th with the lead pushed to 4 and pitched a scoreless inning around 2 hits for his 1st save of the year; 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Rincon has a 1.36 WHIP in 25 IP with 24 K and 7 holds on the season.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Atlanta Braves
Ken Ray to co-closer
Chris Reitsma to co-closer
Chad Paronto still 2nd in line

The Braves turned to Ray yesterday for a save opportunity in a 1 run game, and the rookie responded with a 1 K, perfect 9th for his 1st career save. The 31-year-old rookie has a 1.09 WHIP in 23 IP with 15 K and 3 holds. Ray has only allowed 4 runs on the season and has been scored on in just 2 of his 23 appearances.

Manager Bobby Cox mentioned after the game that he went with Ray because Reitsma needed extra rest. However, if Ray continues to impress and Reitsma remains his inconsistent self, this could be a legitimate closer change.

Kansas City Royals
Elmer Dessens still Closer
Joe Nelson to 1st in line in place of Ambiorix Burgos
Andy Sisco to 2nd in line in place of Mike Wood
Mike MacDougal DL

Nelson received the save opportunity in a 2 run game yesterday, but was pulled with 1 out after allowing 1 run on 2 hits and a walk. The left handed Sisco came on to get a game ending double play grounder from the left handed Jason Giambi.

Dessens never received a save opportunity after Burgos was demoted as the Royals were on the losing streak. However, Dessens was lit up for 7 runs in his last 2 outings, thus opening this closer door once again.

Sisco has been inconsistent this year with a 1.88 WHIP and 7.23 ERA in 18+ IP and may just get the occassional situational lefthand save opportunity. The 31-year-old journeyman, Nelson had not allowed a run in 6 appearances prior to yesterday thus earning the save opportunity.

Burgos has continued to struggle allowing 7 runs in has last 3 outings. Wood has allowed 6 runs in his last 2 outings.

This is a wide open bullpen with no attractive options. MacDougal, out with a shoulder injury, is still a month or two away in a base case scenario.

Milwaukee Brewers
Derrick Turnbow still Closer
Matt Wise still 1st in line
Jose Capellan still 2nd in line

Capellan received a 10th inning save opportunity in a 1 run game after Turnbow blew one in the 9th, with Wise setting up in the 8th. Capellan was pulled after getting 2 out and allowing an infield hit, with left handers Utley and Abreu due up. Southpaw, Shouse received the call and gave up a double to Utley, intentionally walked Abreu and then got Roberson to fly out to record the save.

The 37-year-old Shouse has appeared in 3 games since coming over from Texas and has a 3.00 in 2+ IP with the Brewers.