Capps needs a break

There are times when it is good to keep throwing a struggling player back on to the field in the hopes that he will hit/pitch his way out of a slump.

This is not one of those times.

Pirates closer Matt Capps needs a break. After Tuesday's latest debacle, he has blown five of his last seven save opportunities, all of which have been in the last month.

It's clear that something isn't right, whether it's command, control, whatever. And because of such, Capps looks like he has lost confidence in all of his pitches.

Pirates manager John Russell has been steadfast in continuing to throw Capps in the ninth in the hopes that he will work out his problems on his own.

Clearly, this strategy is not working.

If the Pirates get another save opportunity tonight or in the next series this weekend in Milwaukee, Russell needs to go to Damaso Marte and give Capps a bit of a mental break. Knowing Capps, I don't think not putting him will shatter his confidence any more than it already is. It could ulttimately, give the big closer the kick in the butt he needs to get his act together before it spins too wildly out of control.