Closer Watch: 2011

[Judge Jude]

Here comes Salas to protect a 3-0 lead... in the 7th.

[Bodhizefa]

Here comes Salas to protect a 3-0 lead... in the 7th.

Sometimes I wonder if Tony LaRussa does **** just to show people he knows more than them. Moving Salas out of the closer role after he was so successful in it (especially in one-inning stints) smacks of LaRussa "knowing what's best for the team." I traded Salas in most of the leagues I owned him, so I hold no ill will, but jeez, this is a bit dumb even for LaRussa, right?

[Judge Jude]

He is who he is. Plus Motte hasn't given up a run in months, literally, while Salas has had some hiccups of late. But yes Salas has pitched well overall, and would still have his gig with a different manager.

McClellan in the 8th at 4-0, Motte will owe Kyle a beer as McClellan allows a run to put the easy SV back in play for Motte in the 9th at 4-1.

whoa, single single to open the 9th off Motte, now come Braun and Fielder...

Braun pops out.
Fielder single, 4-2 and tying runs aboard with one out.....

McGehee DP, and it's ballgame over, Cardinals win, the Cardinals win.

[Judge Jude]

Izzy walks the bases loaded in the 8th with one out, with Mets up 3-2.
9-pitch AB, fans Lopez, then Bonifacio.
30 struggling pitches, but preserves the lead for closer Parnell. We'll see.

[Bodhizefa]

He is who he is. Plus Motte hasn't given up a run in months, literally, while Salas has had some hiccups of late. But yes Salas has pitched well overall, and would still have his gig with a different manager.

McClellan in the 8th at 4-0, Motte will owe Kyle a beer as McClellan allows a run to put the easy SV back in play for Motte in the 9th at 4-1.


whoa, single single to open the 9th off Motte, now come Braun and Fielder...

Braun pops out.
Fielder single, 4-2 and tying runs aboard with one out.....

McGehee DP, and it's ballgame over, Cardinals win, the Cardinals win.

LaRussa is clearly a genius for making this happen!

[Judge Jude]

Parnell another blown SV, all the best and worst. Very Farnsworth-ian, and not version 2.011

Mets lead 4-2 in bottom 9

Infante caught looking on a slider that was a little high.
Dobbs down 0-2 as Parnell is alternating 98 and 100 mph fastballs, good pitch but Dobbs (2 doubles tonight) goes the other way for a single.
Sanchez pops up, and it's almost over.
Obligatory wild pitch; slider almost hits plate, Dobbs to 2nd.
2-1 on Morrison, 100 mph blows past his swing. 3-2, then a better pitch than the one to Infante is called ball 4.
Cameron up. Bad because he kills fastballs, but he's 38 so.... he bangs one to the base of the wall to tie it.
IBB, then Donnie Murphy whiffs almost instantly.

extra frames in a meaningless game in front of fewer than 1,000 people.

[Judge Jude]

from the ridiculous to the sublime - Giants. Even if Wilson misses the rest of the season (he might), the Giants have an endless stream of committee closers.

Tonight, up 5-3 in the 8th, Romo in for the scoreless IP, only a BB.

6-3 now in the 9th, and it's ...... JLopez, who walks O-Dog.
Hello, Casilla.

K, lineout..... Rizzo RBI double.

3-0 to Cameron Maybin with 2 out, now 3-2....Maybin HBP, tying runs aboard.

Bartlett.... HBP. Wait, this also is ridiculous.

Here comes RRamirez... and JGuzman, ahead 2-1, later whiffs to end it. Ramirez SV.

[Hammer]

Salas threw in the 7th last night. Motte with the save.

[Judge Jude]

huh, there's an echo in here.

[schlesinj]

huh, there's an echo in here.

I will take the good with the bad as I own Parnell and Ramirez. I am up a few saves either way with the two best in the NL Kimbrell and Axford.

[Moonlight J]

Outside of the elite, closers are whoever the manager uses at that time. I'm still curious whether the Rays will pick up Farnsworth's option since the team has had a different pitcher lead the team in saves each of the past 7 seasons.

Farnsworth has a cheap option but he's also a Type A FA and coming off his current season, he could be a target.

[cardboardbox]

If the Rays hope to contend, I'd bet they keep Farns and then trade him in the summer if they're out of it. You can never have too many good bullpen arms.

[Judge Jude]

Acosta with the Mets SV today.
Parnell and Izzy were unavailable, and two things are clear re Parnell and MGR Collins - Parnell is the guy, unless he keeps ignoring/forgetting the plan.

I suspect a first-pitch-down-Broadway fastball to FB-killer Mike Cameron that cost the Mets the lead last night played into Collins' comment.

My guess is that Parnell is just dumb. Has all the stuff, but it's like they'd need to go to the mound before every batter to remind him of what to do.

[TopChuckie]

Acosta with the Mets SV today.
Parnell and Izzy were unavailable, and two things are clear re Parnell and MGR Collins - Parnell is the guy, unless he keeps ignoring/forgetting the plan.

I suspect a first-pitch-down-Broadway fastball to FB-killer Mike Cameron that cost the Mets the lead last night played into Collins' comment.

My guess is that Parnell is just dumb. Has all the stuff, but it's like they'd need to go to the mound before every batter to remind him of what to do.

Isn't this where the catcher comes in and the manager tells the pitcher he's not allowed to shake him off?

[Judge Jude]

Well, these are the Mets after all.

Mets were down 6-5 in the top of the 9th in the first game.
Byrdak got McCann to lead off, then Parnell in. Uggla single, whiffs Freeman, wild pitch (NOT a good sign for Parnell right now), Prado ground out.

I'd expect Acosta to try for a Game 2 SV tonight. I still suspect Parnell gets more chances, but he's a little shaky right now.