Closer Watch Report 06 01 08

Sunday, June 1, 2008

CHICAGO CUBS
Kerry Wood still Closer
Carlos Marmol still 1st in line
Bob Howry still 2nd in line

Marmol allowed 1 ninth inning run while recording his 3rd save of the season yesterday in a 5-4 final. Wood was rested after pitching each of the past 2 days and 4 or the previous 5.

Marmol has a 0.75 WHIP in 36 IP on the season with 54 K and 16 holds. The hard throwing righthander may be the best setup man in baseball, and his future closer value remains high.

Wood has impressive numbers on the season despite 4 blown saves; 0.84 WHIP in 29+ IP with 32 K and 13 saves.

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Dan Wheeler still Closer
Al Reyes still 1st in line
Grant Balfour to 2nd in line in place of Troy Percival

Balfour got the final out for his 1st career save yesterday in a 2-0 final. Wheeler was pulled from the save opportunity after allowing 2 baserunners.

This was Balfour's first outing of the season, after posting dominant numbers in AAA with a 0.63 WHIP in 23+ IP with 39 K and 8 saves. The 30-year-old journeyman had a career 5.44 ERA in 92+ major league IP entering this season.

Wheeler could remain the Rays' primary closer until Percival returns from the DL in mid to late June.

Friday, May 30, 2008

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Dan Wheeler to Closer in place of Troy Percival
Al Reyes to 1st in line in place of Dan Wheeler
Troy Percival to 2nd in line in place of Al Reyes

Percival was placed on the DL yesterday. However, his hamstring injury is not considered serious and he could be back in a 2-3 weeks.

Manager Joe Maddon didn't name a closer replacement, but their top setup man, Wheeler, could be the primary option.

Wheeler has a 0.89 WHIP in 24+ IP on the season with 18 K and 12 holds.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Troy Percival still Closer
Dan Wheeler still 1st in line
Al Reyes still 2nd in line

Wheeler got the final out yesterday in a 5-3 final for his first save of the season. Percival had to leave the save opportunity with an injured hamstring and could land on the DL, pending a MRI today.

Wheeler has a 0.89 WHIP in 24+ IP this year with 18 K and is second in the AL in holds with 12. The 30-year-old righthander closed for the Astros in the first half last year posting 11 saves.

Reyes has a 1.06 WHIP in 10+ IP this year with 8 K and 1 hold. The 38-year-old righthander closed for the Rays last year with 26 saves in 30 opportunities.

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

Morrow pitched a scoreless 8th last night for his 3rd hold of the season. The hard throwing righthander has a 1.38 WHIP in 13 IP this year with 18 K.

Manager John McLaren recently dismissed the notion that Morrow would move to the starting rotation this year.

Lowe has been inconsistent this year after earlier failing to step up as the teams' closer when Putz was hurt. The 24-year-old righthander has a 1.84 WHIP in 19 IP with 18 K and 1 hold.

Wednesday, May 27, 2008

ATLANTA BRAVES
Rafael Soriano to Closer in place of Manny Acosta
Manny Acosta to 1st in line in place of Blaine Boyer
Blaine Boyer to 2nd in line in place of Jeff Bennett

Soriano is to be activated from the DL (elbow) today. The 28-year-old righthander could return to his closer spot immediately, as Acosta wasn't used as a traditional closer in his abscence.

Soriano only appeared in 4 games this year before going on the DL; 1.25 WHIP in 4 IP with 5 K and 1 save.

John Smoltz is currently on a minor league rehab as he continues his conversion back to reliever after a shoulder injury.

Mike Gonzalez is to start a minor league rehab today as he attempts to return from Tommy John elbow surgery.

MINNESOTA TWINS
Joe Nathan still Closer
Matt Guerrier still 1st in line
Jesse Crain still 2nd in line

Guerrier pitched a scoreless 12th inning in a 4-3 final for his first save of the season yesterday. Nathan blew his first save of the year earlier in the game on a 3 run HR to Mark Teahen.

Guerrier has a 1.48 WHIP on the season in 29+ IP with 21 K and 6 holds.

Monday, May 26, 2008

FLORIDA MARLINS
Kevin Gregg still Closer
Matt Lindstrom to 1st in line in place of Justin Miller
Justin Miller to 2nd in line in place of Matt Lindstrom

Lindstrom pitched a perfect 8th inning for his 4th hold of the season in a 8-6 final yesterday. The 28-year-old righthander has a 1.33 WHIP in 18 IP with 11 K and has a current 8 game scoreless appearance streak.

Miller has a 1.35 WHIP in 26 IP with 26 K and 6 holds on the season. The 30-year-old righthander has allowed runs in 3 of his past 5 outings.

Closer Watch Report Archive:
May 25, 2008
May 18, 2008
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
Dec 3, 2007
Nov 26, 2007
Nov 12, 2007
2007
2006