Closer Watch Report 05 18 08

Sunday, May 18, 2008

BOSTON RED SOX
Jonathan Papelbon still Closer
Hideki Okajima still 1st in line
Mike Timlin to 2nd in line in place of Manny Delcarmen

Timlin pitched a perfect 9th inning for his first save of the season
yesterday in the second game of a double header. Papelbon recorded the
save in the first game and Okajima was unavailable with a wrist injury.

Timlin had a rough start to his season and has an ugly 8.18 ERA and 1.82
WHIP in 11 IP this year, with 2 K and zero holds. The veteran righthander
has allowed just 1 run in 5 May innings, after giving up 9 in 6 April
innings.

Delcarmen has been inconsistent this year with a 1.50 WHIP in 16 IP with
14 K and 5 holds. The righthander did set Papelbon up in the first game
yesterday getting 4 outs with no runs allowed.

CLEVELAND INDIANS
Masa Kobayashi still Closer
Rafael Betancourt still 1st in line
Jorge Julio still 2nd in line

Kobayashi did get the Indians next save opportunity last night, but blew
it on a 3 run HR to Adam Dunn. The former Japanese Leaguer appeared to
have stolen the job from the struggling Betancourt.

Joe Borowski could start a minor league rehab this week as he looks to
return from the DL (tricep).

Saturday, May 17, 2008

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Brandon Lyon still Closer
Tony Pena still 1st in line
Chad Qualls still 2nd in line

Pena pitched a perfect inning in a 4-3 final yesterday for his first save of the season. Lyon was rested after pitching on 3 straight days.

Pena has a 1.30 WHIP in 20 IP with 15 K and 10 holds on the season.

Lyon has pitched well this year after a horrible Spring Training. The 28-year-old righthander has a 1.05 WHIP in 19+ IP with 13 K, and has converted 12 of his 14 save chances.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
George Sherrill still Closer
Jim Johnson to 1st in line in place of Jamie Walker
Jamie Walker to 2nd in line in place of Dennis Sarfate

Johnson struck out the side in the 8th inning yesterday for his 5th hold of the season. The 24-year-old righthander is emerging as a quality reliever this year with a 0.76 WHIP in 23+ IP with 12 K and 5 holds.

Walker has been inconsistent with a 1.82 WHIP on the season in 11 IP with 7 K and 4 holds.

Sarfate has also been inconsistent with a 1.62 WHIP in 16+ IP with 12 BB, 18 K and just 1 hold.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Huston Street still Closer
Keith Foulke to 1st in line in place of Santiago Casilla
Alan Embree still 2nd in line

Casilla's breakout season was put on hold yesterday after he was placed on the DL with an elbow injury. The 27-year-old righthander has a 0.83 WHIP in 19+ IP with 22 K and 7 holds on the season.

Foulke returned last week from the DL (neck) and has a 1.22 WHIP in 9 IP with 8 K, 1 save and 4 holds on the season.

Friday, May 16, 2008

CLEVELAND INDIANS
Masa Kobayashi to Closer in place of Rafael Betancourt
Rafael Betancourt to 1st in line in place of Masa Kobayashi
Jorge Julio still 2nd in line

Kobayashi struck out the final 2 batters to record his 2nd save of the year in a 4-2 final yesterday. Betancourt was pulled from the save opportunity after loading the bases while recording just 1 out.

Manager Eric Wedge didn't make it official after the game, but Kobayashi may be the Indians' closer until Joe Borowski returns, (could be 1 week). The 33-year-old former Japanese leaguer has a 1.09 WHIP 19+ IP with 13 K on the season.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Ryan Franklin still Closer
Kyle McClellan to 1st in line in place of Jason Isringhausen
Chris Perez to 2nd in line in place of Kyle McClellan

Isringhausen blew a 1 run lead in the 8th inning yesterday, allowing 4 runs in a 11-5 final. The struggling reliever is rumored to be removed from the active roster today; either landing on the DL with a phantom injury or heading to the minors through waivers.

Isringhausen has ugly numbers on the season; 8.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 18 IP.

Perez is a hard throwing top prospect, who has high future closer value if he can find command once he reaches the majors. The 22-year-old righthander has a 1.19 WHIP in 17+ AAA innings this year with 22 K and 8 saves.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

ATLANTA BRAVES
Manny Acosta still Closer
Blaine Boyer still 1st in line
Jeff Bennett still 2nd in line

Boyer recorded his first career save last night while allowing 1 ninth inning run in a 8-6 final. Acosta was rested after pitching each of the previous 2 days.

Boyer is emerging as a quality setup man this year with a 0.93 WHIP in 23+ IP with 25 K and 6 holds.

Acosta hasn't been able to step up as the Braves' closer with Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan on the DL. The 27-year-old righthander has converted both of his save chances, but his last save opportunity came almost 3 weeks ago. Acosta has a 1.44 WHIP in 18 IP with 12 K on the season.

Rafael Soriano had his first pain free bullpen session earlier in the week since going on the DL in early April with an elbow injury. The hard throwing righthander could return late next week, barring a setback from the injury.

John Smoltz has begun to throw while on the DL with a shoulder injury and could start a minor league rehab next week. The veteran righthander is coming back as a relief pitcher since his shoulder limits his durability.

Whoever makes it back first, Soriano or Smoltz, could close in the short term, and, health permitting, for the remainder of the season.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Eric Gagne still Closer
Guillermo Mota still 1st in line
Salomon Torres still 2nd in line

Mota took the blown save, loss last night while allowing 3 ninth inning runs in a 6-4 final. Gagne was rested after throwing an astonishing 60 pitches over the previous 2 days and 91 over 3 of the past 4.

Mota has been inconsistent this year with a 1.56 WHIP in 17+ IP with 21 K and 5 holds.

NEW YORK METS
Billy Wagner still Closer
Duaner Sanchez to 1st in line in place of Aaron Heilman
Joe Smith to 2nd in line in place of Duaner Sanchez

Heilman continued his disappointing season last night allowing 3 middle relief runs, while recording just 1 out. The former top setup man has a 1.62 WHIP and 5.82 WHIP in 21+ IP with 23 K on the season with all 5 of his holds coming in April.

Sanchez has been inconsistent working his way back from shoulder surgery. The righthander has a 1.50 WHIP in 12+ IP with 10 K and 5 holds on the season.

Smith is emerging as a quality relief pitcher this year with a 0.98 WHIP in 17+ IP with 18 K and 5 holds.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
B.J. Ryan still Closer
Scott Downs still 1st in line
Armando Benitez still 2nd in line

Downs pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 5th save of the season last night in a 6-5 final. Ryan was rested after pitching the day before; the veteran closer still isn't being used on back to back days after Tommy John elbow surgery.

Downs is emerging as the Blue Jays back up closer with 3 saves in May. The veteran lefthander has a 1.44 WHIP in 17+ IP with 18 K.

SEATTLE MARINERS
J.J. Putz still Closer
Mark Lowe still 1st in line
Brandon Morrow still 2nd in line

Jarrod Washburn pitched a scoreless 12th inning in a 4-3 game yesterday for his first career save. Every member of the Seattle bullpen appeared earlier in the game, except for Cha Seung Baek who threw 51 pitches on Tuesday.

Washburn's next start could be pushed back from Friday to Saturday or Sunday.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Eric Gagne to Closer in place of Guillermo Mota
Guillermo Mota to 1st in line in place of Salomon Torres
Salomon Torres to 2nd in line in place of Eric Gagne

Gagne pitched a scoreless (did allow 2 baserunners) in a 5-3 game yesterday for his 10th save of the season. The Brewers' said they were using a closer committee after demoting Gagne over the weekend, but turned back to their closer surprisingly quick.

Gagne has a 6.27 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in 18+ IP on the season, and remains a risky closer despite manager Ned Yost's loyalty.

TEXAS RANGERS
C.J. Wilson still Closer
Eddie Guardado to 1st in line in place of Joaquin Benoit
Joaquin Benoit to 2nd in line in place of Jamey Wright

Guaradado pitched a perfect, 2 strikeout inning in a 5-2 game yesterday for his first save of the season. Wilson was rested after a 32 pitch outing on Monday.

Guardado has a 1.32 WHIP in 8+ IP on the season with 4 K and 2 holds. The 37-year-old veteran has been limited to just 22 innings over the past 2 seasons due to injuries.

CLEVELAND INDIANS
Rafael Betancourt still Closer
Masa Kobayashi still 1st in line
Jorge Julio still 2nd in line

Kobayashi got the final 4 outs to record his first career save yesterday in a 4-0 final (no save opportunity for Betancourt in the 9th).

Kobayashi has a 1.13 WHIP in 18+ IP with 11 K and 1 hold on the season.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Guillermo Mota still Closer
Salomon Torres still 1st in line
Eric Gagne still 2nd in line

Mota struck out the final batter, after Mitch Stetter walked the bases loaded, in a 8-3 final for his first save of the year yesterday. The 34-year-old righthander could get the chance to emerge as the Brewers' closer, if he's successful in his next couple of save opportunities.

Mota has a 1.47 WHIP in 16+ IP with 20 K on the season.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
B.J. Ryan still Closer
Scott Downs to 1st in line in place of Armando Benitez
Armando Benitez to 2nd in line in place of Jason Frasor

Downs pitched a scoreless, 2 strikeout 10th inning for his 4th save of the season in a 3-0 final yesterday. Ryan pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 9th inning when the game was tied.

Downs has a 1.60 WHIP in 15+ IP on the season with 18 K, 3 holds and now 4 spot saves.

CLEVELAND INDIANS
Rafael Betancourt still Closer
Masa Kobayashi still 1st in line
Jorge Julio still 2nd in line

Betancourt allowed 3 10th inning runs in a tie game yesterday for his 2nd loss of the season. The Indians' interim closer continues to be inconsistent this year with a 6.89 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 15+ IP with 14 K. Betancourt has recorded 4 of his 5 save chances since Joe Borowski went on the DL.

Borowski could be a week or two from returning (tricep strain) and manager Eric Wedge has indicated that the righthander would go right back in to the Indians' closer role.

Monday, May 12, 2008

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Guillermo Mota to Closer in place of Eric Gagne
Salomon Torres to 1st in line in place of Guillermo Mota
Eric Gagne to 2nd in line in place of Salomon Torres

Shouse got the final out in a 5-3 final yesterday for his first save of the season. Manager Ned Yost removed Gagne from the closers' role prior to the game and indicated that he would be replaced with a closer committee.

Shouse has a 1.08 WHIP in 12 IP with 5 K and 5 holds on the season. The 39-year-old lefthander dominates lefthand hitters with a .440 opposition OPS, with a not a mediocre .865 mark versus righthand hitters. Shouse was called on to face 2 lefthanders Sunday, and is a candidate for spot saves for as long as the Brewers' have a closer committee.

Torres got the initial call yesterday for a 3 run save, but was pulled after allowing a hit and walk while recording 2 outs. The 36-year-old righthander has a 1.39 WHIP in 23+ IP with 19 K and 3 holds on the season.

Mota could be in line for the Brewers' next save opportunity. The Brewers' primary setup man to Gagne has a 1.50 WHIP on the season in 16 IP with 19 K and 5 holds.

SEATTLE MARINERS
J.J. Putz still Closer
Mark Lowe still 1st in line
Brandon Morrow to 2nd in line in place of Ryan Rowland-Smith

Morrow pitched a scoreless, 2 strikeout 8th inning yesterday for his 2nd hold of the season in a 5-3 game. The hard throwing righthander has pitched well after being slowed by a shoulder injury during Spring Training. The 23-year-old has a 0.95 WHIP in 7+ IP with 9 K.

Rowland-Smith recorded a couple of spot saves while Putz was on the DL, but currently isn't being used in a setup role with zero holds on the season. The 25-year-old lefthander has a .681 opposition OPS versus lefthander hitters, with a .733 mark against righthanders.

Closer Watch Report Archive:
May 11, 2008
May 4, 2008
Apr 27, 2008
Apr 20, 2008
Apr 13, 2008
Apr 06, 2008
Mar 30, 2008
Mar 21, 2008
Mar 11, 2008
Feb 25, 2008
Feb 11, 2008
Jan 28, 2008
Jan 14, 2008
Dec 17, 2007
Dec 10, 2007
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