Cubs Remove Kevin Gregg as Closer

It's been a season of ups and downs for Chicago Cubs ~~closer~~ relief pitcher Kevin Gregg. He started the year off in rough fashion with a 5.59 ERA in 10 appearances in April with only one save to show for his efforts. But, in each subsequent month, his ERA got better and better.

Sure, he was subject to a blow-up every now and again, but his May ERA was 3.86 to go with seven saves. His June ERA was even lower, at 2.77 with five saves, and July saw eight saves with a 1.93 ERA. Everything pointed to a pitcher moving in the right direction.

Then August happened.

In seven relief appearances, Gregg notched two saves but posted a 7.36 ERA. The final straw, and the end to Gregg's tenure as closer, came Monday evening when Gregg blew a ninth inning, one-run lead against San Diego. Gregg let the tying run score then gave up a Kyle Blanks three-run, walk-off home run to end the game. All the madness happened with two outs in the ninth inning.

Manager Lou PInella announced the change at closer Monday night but has yet to name Gregg's successor.

The world isn't all butterflies and rainbows for Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge either. On Saturday he blew his major league leading eighth save of the season. Lidge is 0-5 with 23 saves and a 7.21 ERA on the season. Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that manager Charlie Manuel is insistent on Lidge remaining the close in Philadelphia.

Manager Charlie Manuel has insisted that Lidge will remain his closer all season, and agreed with the pitcher that his stuff was good.

This is a huge show of good faith by Manuel who has a ready-made replacement closer in Ryan Madson on staff. Madson's ERA for the season 2.95 with more then a strikeout per innings and over the last month Madson is sporting a 1.54 ERA in 11.2 innings of work.

Here's proof that bad things always happen in threes. Pittsburgh Pirates closer Matt Capps has already matched his save total from 2008 with 21. But he's also more then doubled his ERA. In 2009, Capps' 21saves come with a 6.41 ERA. Over the last month Capps only has one save with an 8.64 ERA. Even though things aren't running smoothly in Pittsburgh for Capps his job seems safe because there just isn't any viable option in the Pirates bullpen to take over. This is a case of job security as a result of feeble surroundings.

All the news today can't be bad, I refuse to roll that way. Mike MacDougal has been a most pleasant surprise for the Washington Nationals. MacDougal has pitched a near perfect month of August. In eight appearances

MacDougal has seven saves and hasn't given up an earned run. He has five strikeouts and two walks in his 8.1 August innings of work. He has 13 saves and a 3.50 ERA this season after takin gover the closing role in Washington in mid-June.

Set to come off the disabled list this weekend is Billy Wagner. He's returning early from Tommy John Surgery and looks to be used as a left-handed specialist working the 6th and 7th innings for the Mets. Or, he could be traded to a contender to take over a more prominent bullpen role.