Ryan Dempster as a closer.

by Carlos on Jun 20, 2005 10:52 PM CDT

In case you were wondering, since being turned into a closer, Ryan Dempster has excelled at that role.

First off, the psychologicals. He embraced the role from day one. He said that he was probably going to have a shaky start, and he did. But after that, it's nothing but stellar relief pitching.

He started a game in May, so that game is substracted. Ever since he became our official closer, he has the following statistics:

Includes tonight's 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 SO -- Twelve pitch performance.

15 IP; 6 H; 3.60 ERA; 6 ER; 1 HR; 3 BB; 12 SO; 1 Win; 7.2 K/9; 1.8 BB/9; 3.6 H/9;

1-0 when blowing a save.

Plus, he has nine saves in a row.

Impressed?

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Very!

But what was Cirillo's beef? That was a strike -- Henry may have framed it a bit better that it actually was, but that's a great pitch.

I joined the game in the 7th -- perhaps Cirillo was squeezed earlier? I'll have to roll back on his AB's. There was no reason for the HP umpire to keep that fracas alive -- pointing BACK at Cirillo.

In any event, we seem to have a closer.

And props to Neifi! for saving the game in the 8th with that fantastic start to the DP.

Even Darrin Sutton on FSN North was speechless. (That's a GOOD thing.)

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 20, 2005 11:35 PM CDT reply actions

Neifi! Tonight

He did redeem himself for yesterday.

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jun 20, 2005 11:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Dempster

was brilliant tonight, getting five outs on 12 pitches, and that included two strikeouts.

I was calling for Dempster to be the closer in the off-season (or at least for him to be given the chance, more precisely) but he's had some outings that have given me pause to wonder if he's just been lucky so far.

Not tonight. He was as dominating as Eric Gagne ever was. Now I don't expect him to be that good every night, but tonight I think he earned the tag "proven closer." Now if Gagne isn't healthy by March, Canada will have a closer for the World Baseball Classic.

Unbelievable performance. I tip my hat to Ryan.

Get in touch with your inner Neifi

by Josh Timmers on Jun 20, 2005 11:46 PM CDT reply actions

I agree.

I'm sure this outing will boost his confidence up to who knows where... let's just hope that he keeps his feet on the ground and manages to focus more on not walking guys than his current save streak or his numbers.

We have a closer, people -- and I won't change my mind if he gives up ten runs in his next save opportunity -- this performance, tonight, was what makes the statistic look real...

According to the Chicago Tribune: "The Oakland A's are 32-0 when they have scored more runs than their opponents.

by Carlos on Jun 20, 2005 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Overuse?

With Dempster pitch 5 outs in yesterdays game and Dusty's mismanagement of the bullpen, could Dusty go to Dempster earlier in more games and were down the Cubs closer. Discuss????

by chroniccub on Jun 21, 2005 9:51 AM CDT reply actions

good question...

when Dempster came in with 1 out in the 8th, my first thought is "this is the one he'll blow," just because that is the toughest kind of save. Fortunately, he got the DP on the first pitch and wasn't overused last night.

However, Dusty put Demp in a situation that leads to overuse. Part of it that Dusty tends to not use certain pitchers in key situations (which begs the question again of why he has 12 pitchers on the roster). Thus, he tends to overuse the ones he trusts, the best ones, the starters and the closers.

Lets hope Dusty isn't put in a spot to overuse Dempster once Prior and Wood are healthy. At that point, we should add two more solid arms to the bullpen from Mitre, Rusch, and Williams, plus we've added Hill to the pen, and we Rem looked nasty last night. Hopefully, with the three-headed monster of Leicester, Ohman, and Wuertz, we'll have a solid, deep pen that Dusty can trust enough to avoid overworking anyone.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jun 21, 2005 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Overuse?

With Dempster pitch 5 outs in yesterdays game and Dusty's mismanagement of the bullpen, could Dusty go to Dempster earlier in more games and wear down the Cubs closer. Discuss????

by chroniccub on Jun 21, 2005 9:52 AM CDT reply actions

Not understanding your point

Dempster got 5 outs in 12 pitches. He wasn't overused. He pitched once in the last week.

In fact, I know of no reason why Dempster couldn't have more saves in which he enters in the eighth inning. He's a former starter, he can take the work load. It wasn't until LaRussa refused to bring Eckersly in before the ninth that closers couldn't pitch before the ninth inning. Guys in the eighties could pitch more than one inning. Mariano Rivera still does it today with no ill effects.

Get in touch with your inner Neifi

by Josh Timmers on Jun 21, 2005 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I certainly agree

Late-inning pitchers should be able to go more than 1 inning, especially if they haven't pitched much. Dempster hadn't. He was well rested.

by Butchoh31 on Jun 21, 2005 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions

can't an old man get some love?

How about Reminger? His strikeouts and the 8th inning DP started by Neifi! were the plays of the game.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jun 21, 2005 10:10 AM CDT reply actions

How about

the fact the Dempster, not Remlinger, got the DP in the eighth inning. Remlinger put the man on base and Dempster got him out.

That's why we haven't mentioned Remlinger's DP. Because it was Dempster's. And we have mentioned that.

Get in touch with your inner Neifi

by Josh Timmers on Jun 21, 2005 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

no, i'm talking more about...

the two strikeouts. I realize Dempster induced the double play ball. But Remlinger worked out of a jam in the 7th by striking out 2 guys in a row, and that was just as important as the DP ball Dempster got.

The Cubs will thrive in twenty-oh-five!

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Jun 21, 2005 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions