2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[deerayfan072]

Howell is coming in for the Rays in the 8th to face Cano (L) with the Rays up by one. We will see if he gets out ok and then comes in for the 9th, or if Wheeler gets the call.


-- Wheeler is warming, and would have come in for the 9th, but the Yanks just tied it, so we won't know for sure unless the Rays get a run in the top of the 9th

[BALCO All-Stars]

Per ESPN (per Rotowire.com):

Francisco was held out of Friday's game due to shoulder stiffness, the team's web site reports.

Spin:
There's a little more concern over this injury that normal, as Francisco came off the DL two weeks ago due to a shoulder issue. Consider him day-to-day for now, but you can likely assume he won't be used on both Saturday and Sunday.

CJ Wilson hasn't been lights out, but I'm assuming that he'll be the one filling in again?

Rotoworld Followup via the Dallas Morning News:

Rangers closer Frank Francisco was unavailable Friday night due to lingering shoulder soreness.
The injury is not considered serious and is unrelated to the shoulder strain that put Francisco on the disabled list last month. Hey may be out for a couple of days, however. C.J. Wilson is relevant once again.
Source: Dallas Morning News
Related: C.J. Wilson

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... LB&id=3866
http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archi ... -sore.html

Francisco said it's not related, but it's shoulder stiffness (again)...

[casem2k2]

wow dan wheeler is blowing his chance to be the rays closer

[Syfo-Dyas]

wow dan wheeler is blowing his chance to be the rays closer

As was expected. He proved it time and time again that he is not a closer.
Isringhausen and Cormier warming up.

[mac-unit]

Maddon is Bringing the lefty Choate in for the matchup.

[kimchi_chigae]

Maddon is Bringing the lefty Choate in for the matchup.

I almost feel bad for getting a save from Choate here.

[deerayfan072]

wow dan wheeler is blowing his chance to be the rays closer

As was expected. He proved it time and time again that he is not a closer.
Isringhausen and Cormier warming up.

IMO, Cormier would have come in if it was a tie and they went into extras. I think if Choate had let Cano get on, Izzy would have come in

[Crippler]

wow dan wheeler is blowing his chance to be the rays closer

As was expected. He proved it time and time again that he is not a closer.
Isringhausen and Cormier warming up.

No worse than Izzy's implosion or Howell's implosion.

Come to think of it, Wheeler hasnt even blown a save...they were up by 4 and they ended up winning.

[ABA316]

IMO Howell's "implosion" not nearly as bad. Guy gave up an inherited runner who was on 2nd or 3rd already in 2/3 of an IP. Doubt they would have run him out for the 9th either way but maybe high pitch count factored in as well?

No matter, I'll take the W from JP thank you..

[fitz0527]

Joel Hanrahan has been removed from the role of closer for the second time this season.

The final straw was apparently the two runs he served up in the 10th inning of a 3-1 loss to the Mets on Friday night. Mike MacDougal will take over the job, effective immediately.