Hanrahan Out, MacDougal In As Nationals' Closer

This is the second time this season Hanrahan has lost the closer's role, losing it once in late April and now again at the start of June. It seemed at the end of May that Hanrahan had found his 2008 form. He recorded five straight scoreless outings from May 21-31, including notching two saves.

June wasn’t Hanrahan’s friend however. His last three appearances saw him surrender a combined six runs and 10 hits in only three innings pitched. Losing the game last night was the last straw.

“We are going to have him relax and pitch in the middle of the game in order to get his confidence back,” Acta told reporters, “….Right now, he hasn’t been consistent enough to be pitching (in the closer spot).”

MacDougal was acquired by the Nats last month after he'd been released by the White Sox early in the season. He had four appearances in middle relief roles. In 2.2 innings as a National he has allowed no earned runs, two hits and two strikeouts.

This is a typical Nationals knee—jerk reaction where someone makes a personnel decision based on an extremely small sample size.

Was MacDougal nasty last night against the Mets? Hell yes.

Do pitchers, especially ones that have a history of streakiness, have good nights? Hell yes.

It’s true MacDougal has a 0.00 ERA in his 2.2 inning as a National, but in his last 65 IP his ERA is around 6.5. That is including the 4.1 IP that saw him surrender six earned runs on seven hits for the White Sox this year (which, reminder, earned him the pink slip).

That being said, I would love for MacDougal to succeed. He has closer's experience back in his Kansas City days. In 2003 he saved 27 and blew eight with a 4.08 ERA, in 2005 he saved 21 and blew 4 with a 3.33 ERA.

The 2003 campaign was marred by inconsistency however. In 2003, MacDougal had 24 saves in the first half with a 2.59 ERA, but only three saves in the second half. He also posted a 6.85 ERA.

The 2005 season was more consistent but saw him blow out his arm, he did not pitch in 2006.

Regardless of the past however, ‘Mac the 9^th is the Nats' closer. His high 90s fastball compliments his slider well and his curveball can be used when he is ahead in the count. 

He does have the tools to be successful. Only time will say if it was the right decision.

Meanwhile, Ron Villone and his 0.00 ERA sit and wait in the set up role.