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Quick, name the bullpen with the highest ERA and fewest saves in the American League.

Considering they were one win away from the World Series last year, it's a shock that the answer is the Cleveland Indians. But it's true: Up is down, black is white, cats and dogs living together … total chaos. What worked brilliantly in 2007 -- to the tune of Joe Borowski racking up 45 saves with Rafael Betancourt and Rafael Perez doing the heavy lifting to set Borowski up -- has been a disaster in '08.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Thursday that Borowski is "expected to be replaced" as Indians closer. On Friday, Borowski was designated fo assignment. In 10 save situations this year, Borowski had a 12.46 ERA and had allowed hitters to bat .395 against him. Eric Wedge hasn't tipped his hand about the back end of his bullpen just yet, but the Plain Dealer speculates Wedge could name Betancourt, Perez or Masa Kobayashi closer on Friday, or could simply ride with a committee until someone steps forward.

The Indians are 37-48 and last in the AL Central going into Friday's game in Minnesota, so it's not like whoever gets the fireman's role is suddenly fantasy gold. But saves are saves, and if you were, for example, a Matt Capps owner, you're probably pretty interested in who might get some chances. Perez hasn't been the same guy he was in '07 (ERA then: 1.78, ERA now: 3.44; WHIP then: 0.93, WHIP now: 1.39) and he doesn't have experience as a closer, so he figures to be on the short end of the stick. Betancourt got first crack when Borowski went on the DL earlier this season and spit the bit, and has consistently awful numbers from April straight through June. However, his BAABIP is .361 and his strand rate is a ridiculously low 65.7 percent, so you can make the argument he's been unlucky. Still, if I had to bet on one horse here, it would be Kobayashi. He's four-for-six in save situations as a major-league rookie, and remember, he had 227 saves in his Japanese career.

Yes, I think it'll come down to Betancourt or Kobayashi, and I don't feel strongly about who'll win, but again, if I'm picking one, it's Kobayashi.

If you're in a deep or AL-only league where none of these guys are available, a true darkhorse candidate could be Thomas Mastny, who was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on June 30. He's been terrific for the Bisons, with 34 strikeouts against 8 walks in 26 1/3 innings while giving up only one home run. Mastny has never translated his minor-league success to the majors, and at 27, he's no longer much of a prospect, but he did save five games for Eric Wedge in 2006, and that may be enough to earn him a shot if none of the other options work out.

• Past editions: 7/03: Kuroda's return | 7/02: Myers demoted | 7/01: Pierre shelved

Jon Lester was brilliant shutting out the Yankees Thursday night, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out eight. Want to know why this guy is 4-0 with a 2.37 ERA in his past six starts? He's no longer the nibbler who drove his fantasy owners crazy. After walking Derek Jeter in the first, Lester threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of next 23 Yankee hitters. … Meanwhile, this stat courtesy of Baseball Tonight's Buster Olney: Through the entirety of the 2007 season, the Yankees had 33 games where their offense produced two runs or fewer. After last night's shutout, the Yanks have already scored two runs or fewer in 28 games in '08. That's something to chew on when you're freaked out about your fantasy starter having to face the Bronx Bombers. Joe Girardi reportedly held a 30-minute closed-door meeting with his team after Thursday's game. … Brandon Webb's line looks crummy (6 innings, 9 hits, 5 earned runs), but he was unlucky, giving up a home run to Mike Cameron that looked foul but was called fair. … In that same game, the Diamondbacks launched an improbable comeback against the Brewers. They were down 5-0 headed into the ninth, and wound up winning 6-5 while never making an out. While Eric Gagne pitched a perfect eighth in his return from the DL, Guillermo Mota, Brian Shouse and Salomon Torres proceeded to cough up the lead. That bodes well for Gagne's short-term prospects for regaining the closer's job. … Justin Duchscherer, who's been terrific this season, was welcomed to Chicago with a leadoff homer from the surprising Dewayne Wise, and gave up two runs in the first inning against the White sox. But that's all he gave up: 7 innings, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, 4 K's and his ninth win of the year. … Chad Billingsley went eight innings against the Astros Thursday, giving up no earned runs, six hits and one walk while striking out five. Billingsley's 2.27 ERA is the NL's best since April 30. … Aubrey Huff hit two more dingers Thursday against the Royals, giving him 17 on the year to go with 25 doubles. He's on a pace for exactly 100 RBIs. … Johnny Cueto fanned eight while winning his seventh game yesterday, allowing three runs and seven hits in seven innings. In his previous five starts, Cueto had 17 walks; he only walked one National on Thursday. … With the Giants leading the Cubs 4-3, pinch hitter Rich Aurilia hit a huge three-run homer off Carlos Marmol to put Thursday afternoon's game out of reach and ensure Tim Lincecum would 10th win. Marmol looks less and less like a threat to Kerry Wood. … Taylor Buchholz has been good as Colorado's setup man, but he coughed up a one-run lead in the eighth Thursday, allowing a two-run blast from Jorge Cantu. Talk of Buchholz in the closer's role if the Rockies trade Brian Fuentes persists, however. … Jeff Baker started his fifth game of the season at first base for the Rockies (while Todd Helton sat with a sore back), potentially making him eligible there in some leagues. … Prince Fielder went 0-for-5 against Diamondbacks pitching Thursday, bringing his horrific slump to 2-for-36. … Coco Crisp returned from his suspension Thursday night, had two hits, two runs scored and his 13th stolen base of the season. … Jeff Kent came out in the fifth inning of the Dodgers' 5-2 win over Houston on Thursday because of a sore back. … Jose Reyes hit his 62nd career triple Thursday, tying him with Mookie Wilson for the Mets' career lead. Reyes just turned 25. … Carlos Delgado hit his 15th homer of the year last night, which gives him seven in his last 19 games.