Rauch’s indicators hardly spell c-l-o-s-e-r. This year in 17 IP his K-rate stands at 5.1/9. That’s a little low based on his career rate of 7.22 but the fact is that he’s only posted a K-rate of 6.1 or better twice in 4+ seasons.
This year he has walked just one hitter for a nice 0.5/9 rate but his career rate is 3.30 which is a little generous in the 9th. He’s also a fly ball pitcher with a career 0.7 GB/FB ratio.
One indicator that is consistently positive for Jon is OBA where he sits at .224 this year and .235 career.
I’m not filled with confidence and neither should you be. But the thing is that there will be save opps for the next few days and Rauch will be getting the chance to convert them.
This will be an audition of sorts for Jon as well. Chances are that teams will be looking for Cordero at the trade deadline this season and Rauch will be the next in line for primary closing duties.
In this instance however, Cordero is expected to be away from the team for 3-7 days. We will keep you updated on his ETR
Saul Rivera would constitute Plan C. Entering last night he had fanned 11 in 13.1 IP against 3 walks and 11 hits (1.05). He throws groundballs (1.2 GB ratio) as well, but lacks the experience to make a manger comfortable.
Meanwhile in
If history is any indication however it might be prudent to hang on to Henry for a while. Julio has a tendency to self-destruct.
In Philly, Tom Gordon’s MRI on his inflamed right rotator cuff came back negative and he will resume a throwing program, possibly as early as today. He is eligible to return in a little over a week but it is unclear at this point if he will be ready.
Brett Myers was 2- for -2 in save opps prior to last night and has the skill set to hold the job but one has to feel that the Phillies will return him to the rotation at some point. Chances are that Gordon will resume the closers role when healthy and re-acclimated.
In
Given the Jays’ admitted predilection for lying about injuries, it would be natural to wonder about Frasor’s health status. Manager John Gibbons is non-committal about who will get the ball in the next crucial 9th inning (if there is one the way the Jays are going). If Frasor isn’t his choice, Gibbons could go with either righty Jamie Accardo or lefty Scott Downs.
Accardo had fanned 13 in 14.2 IP with 5 walks with an OBA of .145. That low OBA is the result of an abnormally low .198 BAHIP. That number will correct as we move forward so don’t lean too heavily on that indicator.
Accardo may be worth a claim if you are absolutely needy for saves but understand that would be a truly speculative move.
Eric Gagne was activated by the Rangers on Wednesday and he is expected to immediately reclaim the closers role from Akinori Otsuka. Once again, however, history will tell you that it will probably pay to hang on to Otsuka. Eric’s latest injury was a hip injury, obviously not arm related, but there are still plenty of questions to be answered about his overall durability. And lest we forget, only one of his 10 outs this season have come via the strikeout.
Finally today, a couple of quick hitters …
As we anticipated, it appears that Rafael Soriano has emerged as the primary closer in
Brad Lidge is starting to work his way towards the end of the bullpen again, getting 4 strong outs last night in setting up Dan Wheeler who is 8- for -8 in save opps. The best case scenario for the Astros at this point is to get Lidge a little hot and keep him that way until teams start looking for relievers in June and July. They will want Lidge to present the most attractive trade target possible when contenders come looking for bullpen help.
