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Fantasy Watch
THE SEARCH forclosers has been fruitful this season for fantasy owners willing to take achance on the waiver wire. While established stoppers such as Francisco Corderoand Brad Lidge have faltered, others have emerged from obscurity. Here are afew not-so-obvious sources of saves.
MikeMacDougal
Royals
The oft-injured righthander is on the 60-day DL with a strained shoulder, buthe has started throwing off a mound and could come off the DL soon. AmbiorixBurgos has blown five of 10 chances, so MacDougal (right), who had 21 saves in2005, could reclaim his role.
Ken Ray
Braves
With Chris Reitsma struggling for the second straight season, Atlanta hasturned to a committee led by 31-year-old journeyman Ray (below). ThroughSunday, Ray has appeared in 15 games in May, allowing just one earned run. Hehas a 1.44 ERA and 1.04 WHIP for the season, and he picked up his first twosaves over the Memorial Day weekend.
Others toWatch
If MacDougaldoesn't take the job in Kansas City, keep an eye on former Angel Joel Peralta,who has been effective in his first season with the Royals.... San Francisco'sArmando Benitez isn't blowing hitters away. He has just seven strikeouts in 101/3 innings and has two blown saves in five chances. Watch Jeremy Accardo andBrian Wilson.... Todd Coffey of the Reds has given up earned runs in only threeof his 24 outings this season.
PHOTO
TIM UMPHREY/GETTY IMAGES (MACDOUGAL)
PHOTO
JONATHAN DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES (RAY)
