42-year old righty Trevor Hoffman has worked himself back into a time share with rookie 27-year old righty John Axford for the closer’s role in Milwaukee. I think this really has more to do with Hoffman getting near 600 saves (he has 598) than with the way he has been pitching. Hoffman has pitched in 41 games (0 starts) this year and he is 2-6 with 7 saves, a 6.69 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Hoffman looked like toast the first two months of the season. He was 1-3 with 5 saves, a 10.69 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP which is the reason he lost his closers’ job. He gave up a stunning 7 homers in only 16 innings in April and May. But in the last three months has has been a lot better. Since June 1st, Hoffman is 1-3 with 1 save, a 3.91 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Hoffman also is keeping the ball in the yard as he has only given up 1 homer in the last three months (23 innings). Still, Hoffman does not deserve to close based on Axford’s pitching. Axford has pitched in 37 games (0 starts) this year and he is 7-1 with 18 saves, a 2.74 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He has whiffed 50 batters while only allowing 34 hits in 42 2/3 innings this year.