Thin bullpens have managers calling on closers earlier
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An epidemic has erupted in the postseason. In the first seven division series games, managers used their closers for three innings three times.
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The bullpen doors opened only once all night, the vendors in the stands had to really hustle and the players hardly had a chance to get any rest between innings.
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The ball soared toward its eventual resting place in the Houston Astros&#39; bullpen, and suddenly all those white towels being waved inside Minute Maid Park might as well have been Homer Hankies.
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Brad Lidge spent much of the seventh and eighth innings warming up in the bullpen, ready to take his place on the mound.
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When Kyle Snyder finally turned his phone on, he found missed calls and text messages. Indications of an interest, at least, in contacting him. So around 4 p.m. Tuesday, he called manager Terry Francona; only the news wasn't what he expected.
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His bullpen had already squeezed out 8 2/3 shutout innings and Dan Miceli was still available, making it logical for Houston Astros manager Phil Garner to take a chance
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The Yankees activated RF Gary Sheffield from the 15-day disabled list yesterday. Meanwhile, closer Mariano Rivera threw a bullpen session and said he hopes to return this weekend.
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When the decision on the Yankees' new manager comes early this week, it will be just part of a whirlwind period for managers - some who have gone, some who have stayed, and some who are about to land a big payday.
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If anything, there will be a little more sizzle around the ballpark. There won't be so much focus on Julio Lugo's slump, or J.D. Drew's batting average, or Curt Schilling's injury, or the fact that there's not much of a race in the American League East right now.
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One of the continuing trends in the major leagues is how diligent teams have become about safeguarding young pitchers like the Yankeesâ Joba Chamberlain and Bostonâs Clay Buchholz.
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Their supposed new pitching staff ace is on the disabled list and their late-inning bullpen situation has the potential to be a mess, but those problems were easy to ignore Tuesday night, thanks in part to Steve Finley.
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Watching from the bullpen as his teammates mounted a rally, Florida Marlins closer Joe Borowski looked away for one pitch and missed a three-run homer.
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No bullpen collapse by the Houston Astros this time. Brad Lidge was on the mound. The Astros closer allowed just one hit and struck out five in two innings Saturday, protecting Houston's lead and helping the Astros beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 in Game 3 of the NL championship series.
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His club lost a game on the field and lost ground in the standings yesterday, yet Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel chose to look on the bright side: at least his top relievers got some rest for the stretch run.
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This is the way Mets fans wanted their team to do it with Vladimir Guerrero and Alex Rodriguez. They wanted the general manager of the moment, Steve Phillips or Jim Duquette, to get in there early.
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Mariano Rivera threw 26 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday, the first time since Aug. 31 the New York Yankees closer worked off a mound.
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If Dave Mellor, keeper of the greensward at Fenway Park, could have found a way that would not have torn up his precious turf, it would have been fitting for the 36,533 fans present last night to emulate the pregame ritual observed by the bullpens of the Red Sox and Yankees.