Closer Watch Report 08 24 08

Sunday, August 24, 2008

PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Matt Capps to Closer in place of John Grabow
John Grabow to 1st in line in place of T.J. Beam
Craig Hansen still 2nd in line

Capps was activated from the DL-shoulder yesterday and is expected to immediately assume his closers' role.

Capps had a 1.07 WHIP in 40+ IP with 29 K and 17 for 22 in save chances before going down almost 2 months ago.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

NEW YORK METS
Luis Ayala to Closer in place of Aaron Heilman
Aaron Heilman to 1st in line in place of John Maine
John Maine to 2nd in line in place of Luis Ayala

Ayala pitched a perfect 2 strike out inning for his 1st save of the season in a 3-0 final yesterday. Heilman set him up working the 8th inning and after the game manager Jerry Manuel said of the sequence; "you'll probably see it again."

Ayala has a 1.42 WHIP in 60+ IP on the season with 38 K and 19 holds.

Billy Wagner is out indefinitely with his elbow injury.

Friday, August 22, 2008

OAKLAND A'S
Brad Ziegler still Closer
Huston Street still 1st in line
Joey Devine to 2nd in line in place of Santiago Casilla

Ziegler pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th innings to record his 4th save of the season in a 2-0 final yesterday. The A's are making the rookie work for his saves as each of his past two and 3 of his 4 saves have been 2 inning outings.

Devine set Ziegler up with a perfect 7th inning for his 5th hold of the year. The 24-year-old right hander has a 0.91 WHIP in 30+ IP on the season with 34 K and hasn't allowed a run over his past 8 appearances.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Brandon Lyon still Closer
Jon Rauch still 1st in line
Tony Pena still 2nd in line

Rauch recorded his first D'Backs' save, despite allowing 1 ninth inning run, in an 8-6 final yesterday. Lyon wasn't used after struggling through a 26 pitch non-save outing the day before.

Rauch has a 1.01 WHIP in 61+ IP on the season with 60 K, 18 saves and 5 holds.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Jim Johnson to Closer in place of George Sherrill
Jamie Walker to 1st in line in place of Jim Johnson
Fernando Cabrera to 2nd in line in place of Jamie Walker

Sherrill was placed on the DL yesterday with a shoulder injury. Manager Dave Trembley indicated that Johnson could get "first crack" at being the interim closer.

Johnson has a 1.16 WHIP in 64+ IP on the season with 35 K and 19 holds.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES
John Grabow still Closer
T.J. Beam to 1st in line in place of Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen to 2nd in line in place of Tyler Yates

Beam got the final out to record his 1st career save in a 4-1 final yesterday. Grabow, who had emerged as the Pirates interim closer, created the save opportunity while struggling in a 4 run game.

Beam has a 1.29 WHIP in 32+ IP on the season with 15 K and zero holds.

Matt Capps is expected to return from the DL-shoulder this weekend.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Brandon Lyon still Closer
Jon Rauch still 1st in line
Tony Pena still 2nd in line

Pena got the final 2 outs to record his 2nd save of the season in a 7-6 final yesterday. Lyon created the save opportunity while struggling in a 4 run game.

Pena has a 1.31 WHIP in 56+ IP on the season with 38 K and 19 holds.

Lyon is 5 for 5 in save chances since the D'Backs acquired Rauch as closer insurance. The veteran right closer does have inconsistent numbers on the season with a 1.45 WHIP in 47 IP with 36 K and 5 blown saves in 30 opportunities.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Dan Wheeler to Closer in place of Grant Balfour
Grant Balfour to 1st in line in place of Dan Wheeler
Chad Bradford still 2nd in line

Wheeler pitched a perfect 1 strike out inning for his 2nd save in as many days in a 6-4 final yesterday. Balfour appeared in the 6th inning of this game as Wheeler is emerging as the Rays' closer during this Troy Percival DL stint.

Wheeler has a 0.96 WHIP in 53 IP on the season with 36 K, 26 holds and 6 saves.

Monday, August 18, 2008

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Grant Balfour still Closer
Dan Wheeler still 1st in line
Chad Bradford still 2nd in line

Wheeler got the final out via strike out to record his 5th save of the season in a 7-4 final yesterday. Balfour turned the 9th inning in to a save opportunity with 3 walks, 1 intentional.

Wheeler has a 0.98 WHIP in 52 IP on the season with 35 K and this outing could allow the 30-year-old right hander to challenge Balfour for the closers' spot while Troy Percival is out.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Joel Hanrahan still Closer
Saul Rivera to 1st in line in place of Luis Ayala
Steven Shell to 2nd in line in place of Saul Rivera

Ayala was dealt to the Mets yesterday.

Rivera has a 1.34 WHIP in 68+ IP on the season with 51 K and 13 holds.

Shell has a 1.09 WHIP in 34 IP on the season with 28 K and 2 holds.

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

Miller was designated for assignment last week.

Lindstrom has pitched very well after a stint in the minors during the 1st half, allowing just 1 run in 19 appearances since his recall. The 28-year-old right hander has a 1.49 WHIP in 42+ IP on the season with 35 K and 12 holds.

Closer Watch Report Archive:
Aug 17, 2008
Aug 10, 2008
Aug 3, 2008
July 27, 2008
July 20, 2008
July 13, 2008
July 6, 2008
June 29, 2008
June 22, 2008
June 15, 2008
June 8, 2008
Jun 1, 2008
May 25, 2008
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Apr 06, 2008
Mar 30, 2008
Mar 21, 2008
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Feb 25, 2008
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