No relief in sight

You know things aren't going well when Eddie Guardado is your best closer.

There's no debating it, the MattroStars have struggled of late. But at first glance, they seem to be the same, dominant team you've come to know and hate. Most of the numbers are sparkling.

The offense, even with down years from Garrett Atkins and the recently-traded Vladimir Guerrero, isn't to blame -- Runs (1st), Hits (1st), RBI (2nd), Average (1st), Offensive Points (3rd).

At first glance, the pitching -- Wins (3rd), K's (1st), ERA (2nd), WHIP (2nd) -- looks as dominant as it usually does. But pitching points? An average 6th.

The culprit? An anemic 28 total saves -- good for dead last in the league by a wide margin. The next worse team is the Slum Lords at 46. The Isotopes, thanks to Frankie Rodriguez, have 71. if the Stars had even a league-average number of saves (50), they'd jump from 6th to a near tie for 2nd in pitching points.

A couple years ago, the MattroStars were starving for closing help with Huston Street shelved, but after stealing Eddie Guardado's fill-in from the Blunted -- a guy named J.J. Putz -- for bust of a prospect Joel Guzman, they were back in business last year. Putz led all closers in saves and the Stars had 101 for the year -- good for second in the league.

Even entering this season, the Stars were stocked at RP with Putz, Street, Todd Jones and Rafael Soriano. Jones was dealt, then Soriano was hurt (again), then Putz was hurt, only to return to the worst team in baseball. Then Street suddenly lost it. Then Jonathan Sanchez, filling in admirably as a RP, went to the DL.

"It's been a rough year for the bullpen," admits owner Matt Grisafi. "Everyone knows saves have an element of luck to them. I mean you hear the Blunted bitch and moan about all their bad luck, but this year has been ridiculous."

The team traded Guerrero at the deadline for closers Billy Wagner and the aforementioned Guardado, now closing in Texas. The deal, however, has netted them one save over two weeks thus far. And despite initial reports that Wagner would return after 15 days, it looks like he may now miss the rest of the fantasy regular season. Meanwhile, Street is now part of a closer-by-committee on a bad Oakland team and Putz is still trying to regain his form on an equally bad Mariners squad.

In the meantime the club had a little luck nabbing Dan Wheeler, closing for the Rays while Troy Percival is on the DL. But Percival is due back Aug. 30, just in time for the fantasy playoffs, leaving the Stars with former teammates Guardado and Putz.

What a difference a year makes.

Next year, the Stars should be in good shape with a healthy Wagner, Putz and Street, and maybe even the possible return of John Smoltz to the pen. But then again, you never know...