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DEL.ICIO.USNotes: Smoltz shuns closer role
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s uncertain whether Chris Reitsma or someone else will be the Braves’ primary closer for the rest of the season, but it’s certain who will not be.
There will be no going back to the future.
“I’m not moving back anywhere,” said John Smoltz, a former All-Star closer who blew only eight of 108 save opportunities during 2002-03, his first two full seasons as closer.
That’s five fewer than Reitsma has blown in 36 opportunities since the beginning of last season, and only one fewer than Dan Kolb had last season, when he blew seven of 18 save opportunities.
Since moving back to his preferred starting role in 2005, Smoltz has gone 18-10 while leading the Braves in ERA (3.23), starts (45), complete games (five), strikeouts (230) and innings (312).
In that same period, Braves co-ace Tim Hudson was 19-12 with a 3.65 ERA before his Monday start against Washington.
Among some notable former Braves in that same period, Tom Glavine was 21-15 with a 3.27 ERA, Greg Maddux was 19-20 with a 4.37 ERA, and Kevin Millwood was 15-14 with a 3.40 ERA.
Smoltz is used to the routine by now. Every time a Braves closer struggles, internet bloggers and talk-show callers suggest that Smoltz could better serve the Braves in the closer role.
He begs to differ, and not only because he believes his right elbow, which has had four surgeries, is better suited to the regular schedule of starting.
Smoltz wanted to move back because he was frustrated watching the Braves lose in the first playoff round after every one of his three full seasons as closer.
The winningest postseason pitcher in history (15-4) lives to be in control in the biggest games, not wait for his team to hand him a lead in the last inning.
Smoltz is 13-4 with a 2.55 ERA in 27 postseason starts. In four postseasons as a closer — he moved into the job midway through the 2001 season — he pitched in 11 games and was 2-0 with one save in only two opportunities.
That gets forgotten by many observers when his closer successors stumble.
“I knew sooner or later people would start coming up [and asking about the possibility of returning to closer],” Smoltz said. “That’s not even an issue that’s come up. I couldn’t do it. It’s totally different [preparation].”
McCann set for rehab
Catcher Brian McCann is scheduled to play two games with Class A Rome today and Wednesday in hopes of being ready Thursday for the road trip opener at Houston, the first day he’s eligible to come off the disabled list.
He sprained his left ankle in a home-plate collision with Arizona’s Eric Byrnes on May 20, and went on the DL four days later after a pinch-hit at-bat.
The Braves’ offense hasn’t been the same without McCann, who led the league with a .347 average and had five homers, 21 RBIs and a .399 on-base percentage.
Before Monday, the Braves were 7-8 with a .238 average since his injury, and scored three runs or fewer in eight of those 15.
Cox: Francoeur needs no break
Right fielder Jeff Francoeur hit .188 with three RBIs in his 16 games before Monday, and was down to a .260 on-base percentage that was second-lowest among NL lineup regulars.
He’d started every game and accounted for all but two of 241 at-bats by Braves right fielders. Francoeur and manager Bobby Cox said the 22-year-old didn’t need a day off.
“I would be shocked if I didn’t see him come through the clubhouse doors full of energy,” Cox said.
Among right fielders, the Braves ranked last in the NL in on-base percentage (.262) and 10th in slugging percentage (.432).
Not much relief
The Braves bullpen ERA climbed to 5.03 before Monday, 15th in the league, and its .365 opponents’ on-base percentage was the league-worst by 10 points.
Only two NL bullpens had allowed more homers, three had allowed more walks, and two had fewer strikeouts than Atlanta’s bullpen.
• Left-handed reliever John Foster is scheduled to have season-ending reconstructive elbow surgery today with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham. Foster has been on the disabled list since spring training.
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