Closer Watch Report 08 03 08

Sunday, August 3, 2008

LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Jonathan Broxton still Closer
Hong-Chih Kuo still 1st in line
Chan-Ho Park still 2nd in line

Park recorded the final out for his 2nd save of the season in a 4-2 final yesterday. Broxton was rested with a sore arm, that he believes is from being over worked.

Park has a 1.36 WHIP in 71+ IP this season with 58 K and 2 holds. The veteran right hander was moved up to a set up role after Takashi Saito went on the DL.

Kuo almost recorded his first career save last night before being lifted for Park in the ninth. The 27-year-old left hander has a 0.98 WHIP in 62 IP on the season with 75 K and 7 holds.

Saito is still questionable to return this year from his elbow injury.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Tyler Yates still Closer
John Grabow still 1st in line
Denny Bautista still 2nd in line

Grabow pitched a scoreless inning for his 1st save of the season yesterday in a 3-0 final. The Pirates are not going with a primary closer after dealing Damaso Marte last week. Yates got the first save opportunity and now Grabow gets the second.

Grabow has a 1.30 WHIP in 54+ IP this year with 46 K and 10 holds.

FLORIDA MARLINS
Kevin Gregg still Closer
Arthur Rhodes to 1st in line in place of Renyel Pinto
Justin Miller still 2nd in line

Rhodes was acquired from the Mariners on Thursday. The veteran left hander had a 1.36 WHIP in 22 IP with Seattle this year with 26 K and 13 holds.

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

Lowe is having an inconsistent season with a 1.70 WHIP in 47 IP with 43 K and 1 hold.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

DETROIT TIGERS
Fernando Rodney still Closer
Kyle Farnsworth to 1st in line in place of Todd Jones
Joel Zumaya still 2nd in line

The Tigers acquired Farnsworth yesterday for Pudge Rodriguez. Farnsworth could get a chance to be the Tigers' closer in a hurry. Rodney blew his first save opportunity last night since taking over the role from Todd Jones.

Farnsworth has a 1.35 WHIP in 44+ IP this year with 43 K and 11 holds. The 32-year-old right hander allowed 2 runs in his last outing, but had a streak of 11 scoreless appearances preceding that.

Rodney has a 1.47 WHIP in 17+ IP this year with 18 K and has allowed a run in each of his past 3 appearances.

NEW YORK YANKEES
Mariano Rivera still Closer
Damaso Marte still 1st in line
Jose Veras to 2nd in line in place of Kyle Farnsworth

Veras has a 1.21 WHIP in 35+ IP this year with 36 K and 6 holds. The Yankees have another 27-year-old rookie having a decent season in Edwar Ramirez.

Ramirez has a 0.94 WHIP in 38+ IP this year with 44 K and 3 holds.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Tyler Yates to Closer in place of John Grabow
John Grabow to 1st in line in place of Tyler Yates
Denny Bautista still 2nd in line

Yates pitched a perfect, 1 strike out 9th inning for his 1st save of the season in a 6-4 final yesterday. Grabow appeared in the 7th inning with a scoreless inning for his 10th hold of the year.

Yates has a 1.58 WHIP in 53+ IP this year with 38 K. The hard throwing right hander may be getting the chance to emerge as Pitt's closer in the 2nd half despite having an inconsistent season.

HOUSTON ASTROS
Jose Valverde still Closer
Doug Brocail still 1st in line
Wesley Wright to 2nd in line in place of Oscar Villarreal

Wright got the final out via strike out in a 6-2 final yesterday for his 1st career save. Valverde wasn't used after a 15 pitch save outing the day before.

Wright has a 1.42 WHIP in 37+ IP on the season with 33 K and 12 holds. The rookie left hander is effective versus left hand hitters with a .540 opposition OPS with a mediocre .894 mark against right hander hitters.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

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

The Cardinals' revealed on Monday that Isringhausen was returning to the closers' role. Franklin has struggled of late with blown saves in each of past 2 outings and has been scored on in 6 of 10 July appearances.

Isringhausen hasn't allowed runs in his past 2 outings, but was scored on in 3 of the 4 preceding appearances. The 35-year-old veteran has a 1.57 WHIP in 37 IP on the season with 28 K, 11 saves and an alarming 7 blown saves.

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

Marmol pitched a scoreless, 2 strike out inning for his 5th save of the season in a 6-4 final yesterday. Wood remains on the DL and is questionable to return from his blister this weekend.

Marmol has a 1.06 WHIP in 58+ IP this year with 79 K and 22 holds.

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

Morrow pitched a scoreless inning for his 10th save of the season yesterday in a 7-5 final. Putz has pitched well since returning from the DL, however the Mariners a content with leaving Morrow in the closers' role.

Morrow has a dominating 0.90 WHIP in 35+ IP this year with 46 K.

Monday, July 28, 2008

DETROIT TIGERS
Fernando Rodney to Closer in place of Todd Jones
Todd Jones to 1st in line in place of Joel Zumaya
Joel Zumaya to 2nd in line in place of Fernando Rodney

Manager Jim Leyland announced on Sunday that Jones was being removed from the closers' role and being replaced by Rodney. Jones blew just his 3rd save of the season on Friday, but has poor season numbers with a 1.54 WHIP and 4.99 ERA in 39+ IP with just 13 K.

Rodney threw 42 pitches getting the final 5 outs in a 6-4 final yesterday while allowing 1 run, 1 hit, 2 walks with 3 strike outs. The 31-year-old right hander has a 1.34 WHIP in 15+ IP on the season with 15 K after missing the first 2 1\2 months of the season with a shoulder injury.

Zumaya had to leave his outing early Sunday with a tricep injury. The 23-year-old right hander has a 1.81 WHIP in 17+ IP on the season with 16 K and 3 holds.

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

Jeff Samardzija pitched two perfect innings with 3 strike outs to record his first career save yesterday in a 9-6 final. Marmol wasn't used after a 35 pitch effort on Saturday. Wood is not ready to return from the DL on Tuesday as originally hoped, and could return this weekend from his blister.

This was Samardzija's second career appearance after receiving a blown save in his major league debut on Friday. The 23-year-old prospect was a starting pitcher in the minors this year with a 1.42 WHIP in 113+ AA and AAA innings with 84 K.

Closer Watch Report Archive:
July 27, 2008
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