I saw today that Dale Sveum had named Kevin Gregg the official closer. Big mistake. Not that Gregg has done badly. Actually he has done surprisingly well. I just think that when you do not really have a genuine closer, you are better off using the closer by committee approach. Tony LaRussa did it for years with the Cardinals. Not only does it take pressure off the guy who is anointed, it encourages competition for that slot. If you do not have a player who fits a role, why pretend that you do?
As far as the Cubs play this week, after an awful series against the Reds, the Cubs played well to beat the Rangers in a make-up game. My apologies to Feldman, he has pitched well of late. Wood continued to impress against the Cardinals as the Cubs picked up a nice 2-1 win.
Apparently, Sveum failed to clarify some of the other bullpen roles for today's game. Villanueva certainly deserved a better fate, pitching into the seventh with a 4-3 lead. Taking him out for the usually reliable Russell with two down proved to be costly as Russell surrendered the tying run. Michael Bowden must be the new Sean Camp. Not the guy to go to in the eighth inning, that's for sure.
Lots of questionable decisions in this game, beginning with the lineup. Bullpen management problematical. Not pinch hitting for Schierholtz in the eighth inning. Not going to the bench to start the ninth.
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