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 12, 2010 5 Saves, 1 Blown Save

Jon Rauch (5) -  Had a 1-2-3 inning against the Red Sox who lacked any byte the entire day for the opening of Target Field.

Neftali Feliz (1) -  Looked impressive topping 100 MPH nailing his first save of the season for the Rangers.  He did record one strikeout.

Francisco Cordero (3) - A very quick 15-pitch inning for Cordero.  SO far he is looking very sharp.

Bobby Jenks (2) -  Walked two and struck out 1 while recording his second save of the season.

Ryan Madson (2) - A perfect inning and a strikeout for the young Phillies closer.  So far so good for Madson and is non-believers.

BLOWN SAVE:
Jason Frasor (BS2) - Blew his second save in this early season.  He gave up a solo home run to Mark Teahan in the Blue Jay loss.  So far things are not looking good for Frasor.  The only thing working for him is Cito Gaston has no one else.

APPEARANCES:
Rafael Soriano - Struck out two and walked one against the Orioles in a non-save situation.

Chris Perez - Didn't record an out after facing two batters in the ninth inning of a tie game.  Neither runner scored.

Leo Nunez - One inning and one strikeout.

Andrew Bailey - Another clean inning for Bailey, but still no saves.  He did knock down a strikeout.

Carlos Marmol - Pitched a solid inning in a non-save situation.  He did record a strikeout, but also a walk.

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!

Spring Training Updates: Closers

Jon Rauch - Twins
He has won the closing job in Minnesota. He has some closing experience and pitched well as a setup pitcher for the Twins in 2009. he should settle in and be a solid closer.

Jason Frasor - Blue Jays
He has beat out Kevin Gregg for the closing job in Toronto.  He has been involved in trade rumors, so both Gregg and Scott Downs should still be in the race if something happens.

Heath Bell - Padres
No news here except there is a good chance that Bell will be traded at some point and that makes setup pitcher, Mike Adams, a player of fantasy interest.

Ryan Madson - Phillies
Brad Lidge is injured and Madson will get first crack at the closing job.  He wasn't very good in this role in 2009, so proceed with cation.  Danys Baez will get a shot if Madson fails.

Chris Perez - Indians
Kerry Wood is on the DL again. If Perez pitches well he will keep the job.

Huston Street - Rockies
He will start the season on the DL and miss at least a month.  Franklin Morales will get save chances until Street returns. Manuel Corpas could be in the mix if Morales fails.

Lidge placed on DL, Madson to Close

The Philadelphia Phillies placed closer Brad Lidge on the disabled list today with a sprained right knee. Lidge has blown save chances in each of his last two outings, and has struggled throughout the season. Lidge is currently 0-3 with 13 Saves, 6 Blown Saves, a 7.27 ERA, and a 1.81 WHIP. The Phillies will monitor Lidge's progress over the next week in hopes that his knee improves. The injury is not considered serious, so Lidge should be able to return once he's eligible to come off the DL. Ryan Madson, is next in line for saves in Philadelphia. Madson is having a terrific season (2.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 31 K's in 28 innings pitched) and is widely available ( 80% of Yahoo Leagues and more than 90% of ESPN leagues). Madson's peripheral numbers, plus short term save potential, make him a must add while Lidge is on the shelf.

Madson Time

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge is day-to-day with knee inflammation. This knee bothers me and I would invest in Ryan Madson. Lidge had off-season knee surgery and this is the same knee that is inflamed. All Lidge owners should have the insurance policy with Madson. Madson has a over a K an inning and ERA is right around three. He should steal some saves even if Lidge is healthy and if Lidge does go on the DL your getting a middle tier closer. So Lidge owners don't worry just pick up Ryan Madson.