Closer Watch Report 06 22 08

Sunday, June 22, 2008

SEATTLE MARINERS
Brandon Morrow still Closer
Miguel Batista still 1st in line
Mark Lowe still 2nd in line

Batista took a blown save, loss yesterday without recording an out in a 5-4 final. Morrow was unavailable and is day to day with an injured back.

Batista now has a 1.64 WHIP in 3+ relief innings since being demoted from the starting rotation. Manager Jim Riggleman has named him to close while Morrow is out, but the veteran may not be an effective enough pitcher to rely on.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

CLEVELAND INDIANS
Joe Borowski still Closer
Masa Kobayashi still 1st in line
Rafael Betancourt still 2nd in line

Kobayashi pitched a scoreless 10th inning yesterday to record his 4th save of the season in a 6-4 final. Borowski took a blown save giving up 2 runs in the 9th.

Kobayashi has a 1.22 WHIP in 37+ IP on the season with 23 K.

Borowski was 3 for 3 in save chances before last night since returning from the DL, and this is just the 2nd time he was scored in 9 appearances in that timeframe.

Friday, June 20, 2008

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

Wilson was pulled from a save opportunity yesterday after allowing 3 baserunners while getting just 1 out, putting his closer security in question. Wright came on to blow the save on a sacrifice fly.

Wilson has inconsistent numbers on the season with a 5.04 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 30+ IP and has recorded 14 of 16 save chances. The 27-year-old lefthander has struggled in June allowing at least a run in 5 of 8 outings.

Guardado pitched a perfect, 2 strikeout 8th inning to set Wilson up and is putting up solid numbers this year with a 1.03 WHIP in 24+ IP with 14 K and 10 holds.

Wright has a 1.22 WHIP in 41 IP this year with 27 K and 8 holds.

Benoit hasn't pitched in almost 2 weeks because of a shoulder ailment.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

ATLANTA BRAVES
Mike Gonzalez to Closer in place of Jeff Bennett
Jeff Bennett to 1st in line in place of Blaine Boyer
Blaine Boyer to 2nd in line in place of Mike Gonzalez

Gonzalez was activated from the DL yesterday and recorded a save in his debut outing with a perfect, 1 strikeout inning in a 5-2 final.

Gonzalez may not be able to pitch on back to back games initially, but obviously is going to be used in save situations right away. The 30-year-old lefthander was a perfect 24 for 24 in save chances for the Pirates in 2006.

Closer Watch Report Archive:
June 15, 2008
June 8, 2008
Jun 1, 2008
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