The Closer Report: April 16, 2010 5 Saves, 1 Blown Save

SAVES:
Matt Capps (5) - Capps is on fire.  Needed only two outs and seven pitches to record his fifth save of the season.  He even added in a strikeout.

Andrew Bailey (1) - Bailey finally recorded a save and looked great doing it.  He needed only 13 pitches and gave up a harmless hit disposing fo the Orioles.

Ryan Franklin (4) - Franklin pitched to contact tonight and was hammered, but held on for the save.  He gave up two runs on three hits and ballooned his season ERA to 7.20.

Ryan Madson (3) - Looke sharp recording the last two outs of tonight's game sealing a 8-6 win.  He needed only 6 pitches and gave up a hit.

Fernando Rodney (2) - Pitched another quick perfect inning and notched his second save in as many days.

BLOWN SAVES:
Octavio Dotel (1-0, BS 1) - Dotel had a rough night, but ended up with the win.  He gave up a triple to Chris Dickerson and later let him score on a flyball that was sandwiched between two strikeouts.  His season ERA now sits at 5.40 with the lone blown save.

APPEARANCES:

Jonathan Papelbon - Entered a 1-1 game and pitched a near perfect inning in pouring rain.  He did walk one, but also struck out BJ Upton.  The game was called shortly after that, so Papelbon can still win the game when it's continued tomorrow.

Heath Bell (1-0) - Bell notched a win in a game where he was just getting some work.  He entered the game in the ninth inning down 3-2 and the Padres pulled a come back to win 6-3.  Bell pitched a perfect inning, but no strikeouts.

Bobby Jenks - Pitched a inning and gave up a hit and a strikeout.

Carlos Marmol - Pitched a inning in a non-save situation. Looked sharp, striking out two and giving up a hit.  His season ERA is still a flat 0.00 and his WHIP 0.56.

Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes!

The Closer Report: April 8th, 2010 7 Saves, 1 Blown Save

There was another heavy day of closers.  Most of the appearances were uneventful, but there were a few surprises.

SAVES:
Jason Frasor (2) - Frasor locked down his second save in as many days.  Again he looked in mod-season form and has made that first terrible appearance a thing of the past.  He struck out two and walked one on 18 pitches.

Matt Capps (1) - He got hit hard, but his sinker was sharp.  Recorded his first save of the season, giving up one hit and intentionally walking Ryan Howard.  At least he is smart, but that's not closer mentality.

Carlos Marmol (1) - Marmol got his first save and looked very good.  He struck out two while giving up a hit and a walk.  He did work 1.1 innings and your arm tends to stiffen up after waiting an inning, so the hit and walk don't bother me as much.

Leo Nunez - (1) - After a brutal outing, Nunez came out and recorded a perfect save.  He even struck out Gary Matthew Jr on a nasty breaking ball.  It wasn't without some drama.  Fernando Tatis hita deep fly ball on Nunez's first pitch that went to the wall.

Mike Gonzalez (1) - Recorded his first save, but loaded the bases on two walks and a hit before he got the final out.  This will likely be what to expect from Gonzalez all year.  Keep an eye on Jim Johnson.  If things get bad, Johnson will replace Gonzo.

Chris Perez (2) - Recorded his second save in as many days.  He looked very good and his closer poise.  He needed 14 pitches to dispose of the White Sox.  He did not record a strikeout.


BLOWN SAVES:
Frank Francisco (BS 1) - Francisco looked terrible tonight.  In his second appearance of the season he gave up three runs on four hits including a solo home run to

APPEARANCES: 
Francisco Cordero (1-0) - Cordero made his second appearance of the season and looked sharp.  He entered a tie game and struck out two in a perfect inning of work.  He ended up with a win.

Jonathan Broxton - We finally got to see Broxton in 2010.  He gave up a walk and recorded a strikeout in a non-save situation.

Jose Valverde - Pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout.

Andrew Bailey - Made his third appearance in of the season.  .2 innings with a walk and a hit.  He is not looking in form yet, but is at least pitching.

Bobby Jenks - Let's face facts.  Jenks was a bit wild today and got some help from the umpire.  Overall, a perfect inning on 16 pitches and two strikeouts.


Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes!

The Closer Report: April 5, 2010 - 4 Saves, 1 Win, 12 Appearances

By Todd Farino, http://www.thecloserreport.com/

Baseball is here and the closers are coming out to play.  Here is the report from April 5, 2010. 

Note: since there are days off early in the season we are seeing lots of closers just getting work in, but not coming in for a save opprotunity.

SAVES:

Franklin Morales (1)- Pitching for the injured Huston Street, Morales looked good, but still got roughed up my the Brewers. He opened up the ninth a bit nervous and hit Rickie Weeks. He then gave up a double to Carlos Gomez, but settled done after that getting the next three batters out on hard line drives. Morales looked good, but he was hit hard. Let's hope he can improve on that and rack up the strikeouts.

Brian Wilson (1) - Wilson entered the game with one out in the ninth after Brandon Medders gave up a couple of runs.  Wilson looked very sharp getting out both batters he faced, striking out Manzella.  In all, he needed seven pitches to end the game.

David Aardsma (1) - Aardsma got a save thanks to the Kevin Kouzmanoff.  Aardsma shaked off a shakey spring to mow down three batters, striking out two.  His command owas a little off, but his fastball was shapr and looked much better than it did just a week ago.

Brian Fuentes (1) - Fuentes started off strong with a 1-2-3 perfect inning save.  He struck out one on 10 pitches.  He was setup nicely by Fernando Rodney and her looked in mid-season form already.

BLOWN SAVES:

Jason Frasor (1, 0-1) - Frasor blew his first save of the season and looked awful against a tough Texas lineup. Frasor was hit hard, giving up 2 doubles and a game winning long single to Saltalamacchia. The line isn't pretty, .1 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1 IBB, 1K. Frasor's pitches looked week. His velocity wasn't there and his breaking ball was flat. He should be fine and get better with time.

CLOSER WINS

Frank Francisco (1-0) - Francisco pitched a near perfect ninth and ended up with the win for Texas. On 17 pitches he struck out two and gave up one hit.

APPEARANCES

Ryan Franklin - Here is the Ryan Franklin I know.  Granted it's his first appearance of the season and the score was 11-4 when he came in, he still didn't pitch well.  His pitches were flat and very hittable.  He got lucky bad swings form Gnomes and Cabrera for outs, but gave up three hits to
Dickerson, Votto, and Phillips.  The end result was 2 runs and no strikeouts in a wasted appearance for the Cardinals closer.

Andrew Bailey - Bailey looked healthy, but he wasn't his sharpest.  He got screwed on an error by Kevin Kouzmanoff and them gave up a 2-1 base hit to Casey Kotchman that scored two unearned runs.  Regardless of the outcome, Bailey owners can let out a sigh of relief that their closer is alright.  Brad Ziegler took the loss.

Francisco Rodriguez - Pitched a perfect and quiet ninth inning for the Mets.  He showed excellent command, only needing 14 pitches to take out the Marlins.

Octavio Dotel - Faced three batters, striking out one.  He only needed 10 pitches to end the game and looked outstanding.

Billy Wagner - Wagner made his first appearance as a Brave and looked like the Wagner of old.  He struck out two on 11 pitches.  He faced the minimum three batters.

Jose Valverde - Valverde came into the ninth inning with a 4-run lead and he was pumped up as only Valverde can be.  He wasn't his sharpest as he needed 24 pitches to close out the game.  He did have to work around a walk and a error, but in the end a strong inning.  He recorded one strikeout.

SIDE NOTES:

Matt Thornton - Thornton looked great for the White Sox pitching a perfect ninth.  He struck out two and needed 10 pitches, throwing all strikes.  He's my odds on favorite to get the job if Jenks fails to hold onto it.

Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report  or download the podcast on ITunes!

Andrew Bailey looks healthy against Seattle today

Andrew Bailey looked strong, but more importantly healthy today.  He was scheduled to pitch today as part of his rehab to get him ready for opening day.  The Rookie of the Year closer has been suffering from elbow soreness and has been shutdown for the past two weeks. 

He entered the game against the Seattle Mariners in the 9th inning with a tie score.  Bailey faced four batters, striking out one and giving up a home run to Franklin Guiterrez.  Clearly Bailey was throwing nearly all fastballs, testing his velecity and control.  After the game, “I was just trying to establish my fastball and get my feel back on the mound,” Bailey said. “That’s my fifth appearance and we can go from that. There’s still some time to get used to game action again, but definitely I’ll be ready for opening day.”

I see nothing wrong with Andrew Bailey from this point.  I've drafted him in a couple of leagues including my last draft on Saturday.  I have 100% confidence that Bailey will be fine and ready to pitch when called upon.

Top 10 Closer Stories Of Spring Training 2010

So far it's been an active spring for closers and injuries.  Several jobs are still undecided and some top closers are out and will not be ready for the start of the season.  Here are the top ten closer stories this spring.

1.  Twins Closer - At this point the Twins are claiming they will go with a closer by committee by using anyone of their late inning relievers like Matt Guerrier, Jon Rauch, Jesse Crain, etc...  I'm not buying it.  Gardenhire has never been that kind of manager.  Going back to Eddie Guardado, he has preferred to go to one guy in the ninth inning and stick with him.  Knowing that, I'd consider the first two weeks an interviewing process for Jon Rauch and Matt Guerrier.  Jesse Crain is completely out coming back from arm surgery and Jose Mirares is a bit young, though he could be a dark horse closer.  He hasn't proved much this spring either. 
If Rauch or Guerrier come out of the gate dominant then that is who will get the job.  My money is on Matt Guerrier.  Rauch is a far better setup man and Gardenhire has far more confidence in his 31-year old pitcher who has been with the Twins since Nathan took over as the closer (2004).  Setting up his bullpen, Gardenhire would prefer Crain in the seventh, Rauch and Pat Neshek in the 8th, Guerrier in the ninth, and Mirares as his left-handed specialist.  My money is on and has been on Matt Guerrier even with Rauch getting the first look.
2.  Colorado Rockies - Huston Street will start the season on the DL with inflammation in his elbow.  It's no big deal, but it will sideline him till at least late April.  Franklin Morales will take over the duties to start the season.  He took care of the job last season while Street was hurt and he should have no problem in 2010.  He is a hard throwing lefty with some good movement and forces strikeouts or ground balls most of the time.

 3. Philadelphia Phillies - Brad Lidge is still recovering from elbow and knee surgery in the off-season. He has only thrown one inning this season and looked ok, but it was against minor leaguers. Ryan Madson will be the Phillies opening day closer and should be the closer for at least two weeks. However, if Lidge doesn't show significant progress they could ease him back into the role delaying him till May or mid-May. Now the konudrum. What if Madson has been lights out closing? Does Charlie Manuel remove him or keep him in the role? Do you allow your recently surgically repaired closer with confidence issues back into the role or your closer of the future who is doing a great job? We will see...

4.  Cleveland Indians - With Kerry Wood out 6-8 weeks with back issues, Chris Perez with take over the closer role.  Not only will he close for at least 6 weeks, but if he is dominant he won't give the job back.  Wood is getting old and in the last year of a two year deal.  The Indians traded for Perez for this exact reason, so expect Chris Perez to be the closer all season.  Perez is coming off a great spring with a 1.00 ERA in 9 innings and logged 10 strikeouts.

5.  Oakland Athletics - Andrew Bailey was shut down for a week with a minor case of tennis elbow.  Since then he has done some long toss and had a successful bullpen session.  He should pitch Monday to test the elbow and if all goes well he will be ready to start the season.  If not, expect Brad Ziegler to open the season for a week or so as the A's closer.

6.  San Francisco Giants - Brian Wilson signed a two year extension today for a total of $15 million and he's locked up through 2012.  That should stop any worries or rumors that Wilson could be trade bait at the trade deadline this season.

7.  Chicago Cubs - Let me be the first to say, what is all the worrying about Marmol?  Sure he loses control once and awhile, but overall he is an outstanding pitcher with some of the best stuff amongst closers.  His spring ERA was 5.00, but if you remove the one three-run appearance he's looking at a ERA below 2.00.  He also recorded 16 strikeouts in nine innings, but the 5 walks are a cause for concern.  However, minor concern.

8.  Houston Astros - In the off-season, the Astros traded for Matt Lindstrom and signed Brandon Lyon.  Lyon has been shelved most of spring training with a cyst and Matt Lindstrom has been lights out with a 0.00 ERA in 7.2 innings and six strikeouts.  Without a doubt the job belongs to Lindstrom and the only is risk is if he can hold onto the job.

9.  Chicago White Sox - Bobby Jenks had a rough spring and also suffered from a sore calf.  Over his past two appearances he has struck out two and surrendered no runs.  Everything looks to be ok for now, but if you own Jenks then you need to own Matt Thornton as well.

10.  New York Mets - Francisco Rodriguez had a great spring and he did while developing a new pitch for his arsenal. Over the years, we've gotten use to seeing KROD throw a nasty curveball and a hard fastball. Now he has worked in a changeup that is clocked around 79-80. I watched him use it frequently in a two inning stint against the Nationals and he struck out the side using it. With the additional pitch it makes KROD allot better, and a dominant closer again for 2010.

Bonus: 
Matt Capps has had two straight scoreless innings.  Right now he has the closer job in Washington, but he will be on a short lease.  Drew Storen WILL NOT be the closer for the Nationals if Capps fails.  Storen is at best a September call up as he still needs to work on his changeup and develop all his pitches for major league hitters.  He isn't even part of their 40-man roster.  If Capps fails, expect Brian Bruney to get a chance at the job.

Andrew Bailey Saves First Game; Zielger Still Out

Andrew Bailey threw two perfect innings in relief to record his first save of the season. Bailey stayed in for the ninth as Brad Ziegler is still recovering from his bout with the flu.

Reports said that Brad Ziegler lost up to 8 pounds and should be ready to pitch by Monday. That being said, we expect the A's to give Ziegler another 5-7 days before sliding him into the closer role. It could be longer depending on Zieglers performances.

Andrew Bailey is available in over 60% of the leagues, but he's getting picked up quickly. He should get a few save chances and you never know, he could get the job. I doubt that he will take the job from Zielger, but he's worth a roster spot if you need saves.

Closer Watch: Andrew Bailey

Andrew Bailey's time could be coming soon. From the sports xchange: Manager Bob Geren said twice over the weekend that with a few more outings under his belt, Bailey could close.

Ziegler has been good but Bailey has been unhittable. As of right now the Oakland A's rookie has been better.

Bailey has posted a 1.53 ERA while sporting a 0.74 WHIP and striking out a nice 20 batters in 17 innings.

Being that Geren felt the need to mention this more then once and that Ziegler is a over achiever, I see Baily becoming the full time closer in Oakland real soon.

Pick him up if you have the bench space toy on him until he is officially getting saves.

The Bay State Scout.