MacDougal blows another one.

[Surfs up]

How long does Pena stick with MacDougal?He is in a very tight race and this guy seems to blow one at least one a week? Does Al Levine get a chance to close out some games?

[pkarr5000]

mac is going to deservedly continue to close for the royals for years and years to come.

[Pogotheostrich]

Pena seems to be a pretty patient guy. I don't see him messing with the bullpen for the stretch run.

[Madison]

I'd say that Leskanic would get the job IF they remove MacDougal.

[jdh]

I don't think MacDougal really "deserves" the job at this point, with how poorly he has pitched this season. His 4.24 ERA is acceptable for a rookie pitcher, but if you look deeper at his numbers, the 1.54 WHIP is just inexcusable, and it's likely that he's been lucky to sucessfully convert as many saves as he has, allowing that many baserunners. For as hard as he throws, his strikeout rate is also pretty poor, less than a K/inning is walking 5 per 9 innings, which is just dreadful for a closer. His control is so off that he also seems to bean at least one batter every inning and throw a wild pitch or two every appearance. (for the year, 6 HBP, and 7 WP, which is also not what you want from a closer). I think it's highly likely for his ERA to baloon into the 5.00 plus range before the end of the year.

Yes he has potential and could be a lights out closer, but only when he learns some control. Right now using him as a closer is like sending out a timebomb every close game. I would not be surprised if Leskanic takes the job over before too long.

[DieHardCubbie]

Yes he has potential and could be a lights out closer, but only when he learns some control. Right now using him as a closer is like sending out a timebomb every close game. I would not be surprised if Leskanic takes the job over before too long.

I agree jdh...his WHIP is way to high for a competent closer....I think Leskanic will be in the job soon if mac doesn't turn it around...

[Dr. Duran Duran]

I just love Leskanic. The Royals are now in 2nd in the central and you have to believe that Pena is feeling the pressure. One more implosion and that job is Leskanic's.