Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
It is a good feeling knowing the Milwaukee Brewers finally have someone that can close games on a consistent basis after John Axford faltered in the role. However, the Brewers still need someone to fill the eighth-inning role. Who would be a top candidate to handle the setup role on any given night?
Axford has the most holds (6) on the team, but his 10.32 earned run average and six home runs allowed are certainly alarming. Not to mention, his most recent outing when he surrendered four runs (three earned) on four hits in 2/3 of an inning is not what Milwaukee has in mind for their setup man. Granted, he did have a stretch of eight games prior to Wednesday’s loss in which he posted a 1.23 ERA, eight strikeouts, six holds and a .192 opponent’s batting average. However, his streakiness is not comforting for anyone involved with the Brewers, especially manager Ron Roenicke.
Francisco Rodriguez, who Milwaukee will have to decide by mid-May if he is worth calling up to the big leagues, is another option. With that being said, the Brewers would have to be sure that they want to make room for him in the bullpen. The only way I see him getting the call is if Milwaukee gives up on Axford, something that does not appear likely as of right now.
“Right now, [Jim] Henderson will be the closer, but the other guys, we’ll look at the lineups,” Roenicke told Brewers.com. “What worked really well is when we figured out what lineup for Ax, what lineup fit the left-handers [Michael] Gonzalez and [Tom] Gorzelanny, and do it that way.
“Whether it’s the seventh, eighth [for Axford], I don’t know for sure. It’s probably easier on us, when we’re looking at lineups, to do it that way. I know the players want to be in a role, but sometimes those hitters don’t match up with what you’re putting out there.”
Roenicke is looking to pitch the eighth inning by committee, but I believe finding consistency in the role is a better idea. The one reliever I think would be terrific for the setup job is left-hander Tom Gorzelanny.
The 30-year-old has posted a 1.42 ERA, nine strikeouts, five holds and .103 opponent’s batting average in 15 appearances this season. He has done an outstanding job whenever he has been called upon, with the exception of the two earned runs he gave up this season.
Roenicke can use three or four pitchers in different scenarios in the eighth inning, or he can find some consistency like what the Brewers had in 2011 with Rodriguez and Axford. It will be much easier on the team if everyone knows their role.
Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
