The Closer Report: April 23, 2010

CLOSER NEWS:

SAVES:

Brian Wilson (3) Wilson finally recorded a save.  It was his first save since April 6, and he went out there with a vengeance.  Besides a simple single, Wilson struck out the side for his third save of the season.  His ERA remains at 0.00.

Jonathan Papelbon (4) - Paps had another tough outing.  He did get the save, but in the process looked wild walking two batters and giving up a hit.  To put a positive spin on the save, he did intentionally walk Wiggington and he struck out Lugo to end the game.  That is how expereinced closers do it.

Francisco Rodriguez (2) - Recorded his second save in as many days.  He is still lacking his trademark sharpness that we haven't sen in awhile.  He needed 22 pitches to close he game and gave up a hit and a walk, while striking out two. His WHIP rose to 1.27, but his ERA lowered to an impressive 1.04.

Kevin Gregg (5) - Gregg was needed for 1.1 innings, but got a clean save. He looked great giving up a hit and striking out two.

Matt Lindstrom (5) - Another 12 pitch save for Lindstrom.  No hits and a strikeout.  Lindstrom has clearly found his closer niche.

Briean Fuentes (2) - Fuentes was back in the closer role and frankly it was a shocker.  When I saw Fernando Rodney coming into the eighth inning I was thinking someone got screwed.  I did assume that since the Yankee lineup is loaded with lefties and switch hitters that maybe Scioscia went with his lefty.  Thames did pitch hit for Johnson and Fuentes turned Teixeira around.  Will see what he does next.

Chad Qualls (3) - Qualls had a hefty three run lead to work with and he didn't even need it.  Why?  He only needed one out.  It was 7-3 going into the ninth and after Heilman gave up a run, Qualls entered the game with two outs and a runner on second.  He dispatched of Polanco on five pitches.


BLOWN SAVES:

Neftali Feliz (1-0 BS1) - Feliz got rocked tonight and badly.  Well, maybe not that badly, but he gave up three hits, including a wacky shallow double to Johnny Damon.  He couldn't close the deal on Magglio Ordonez who with two outs got the big hit to tie the game at 4-4 and blow the game for Feliz.  He did manage to get the win, so it wasn't all bad.

APPEARANCES:

Carlos Marmol - Pitched 1.1 innings for some odd reason in a blowout.  Still, he struck out three out of the four batters he retured.

Jim Johnson - Gave up a hit in 1/3 of an inning against the Red Sox.

Rafeal Soriano - Got some work in against the Blue Jays.  Struck out two in an inning of work. His WHIP has gone down to 1.14 and his ERA is loking much better at 2.57.

The Closer Report: April 20, 2010

SAVES:

Kevin Gregg (5) - Gregg mowed down the Royals on 13 pitches surrendering a hit and recording a strikeout.  Gregg has a firm hold on the job and Frasor is not a threat.  In fact, during spring training I reported that the Blue Jays are best served with Frasor as the setup man and Downs as the lefty specialist.  That is the way it is setup now.

Francisco Cordero (5) - Cordero continues his hot start, saving his fifth game in a row and did it with two strikeouts. I have to admit Cordero is unstoppable right now.

David Aardsma (6) - Looked very sharp against the Orioles.  The only smudge on the save was a bloop single by Matt Weiters.  14 pitches and a strikeout.

Matt Lindstrom (3) - Got his thrid save, but got roughed up in the process.  He gave up two hits and a wild pitch on way to his third save of the season.  Needed 24 pitches to close the game out, so expect Lyon to close out a possible save tomorrow.

Bobby Jenks (3) - Had a relatively good outing.  19 pitches, a hit, and a strikeout.

Chad Qualls (2) - Qualls came through with a great save tonight.  Gave up no hits, one ground ball and two strikeouts.  Its rare, but he does have some good outings.

Fernanado Rodney (5) - Rodney is insane right now.  Here are some numbers to digest.  He has five saves in the past seven days.  In those five innings pitched, no hits, one walk and four strikeouts. His ERA in that period, ZERO.  I don't think Fuentes is taking the job back anytime soon.

BLOWN SAVES

Ryan Madson (BS 1)- Get off the Madson Express.  He got hammered.  He gave up three runs on two home runs.  His season WHIP is now at 1.71 and his ERA is just lost at 7.71.  I'm beginning to think it's the curse of the Phillies closer.  In Madson's defense, it was his first blown save of the season.

APPEARANCES:

Jonathan Papelbon (2-0) - Got the win pitching the ninth inning of a 6-6 game.  He threw allot of pitches (20) and walked a batter in the effort.  He also recorded a strikeout.

Francisco Rodriguez - Still no saves, but got a wasted inning of work tonight.  He needed a whooping 26 pitches to end the game.  He walked two and struck out a pair as well.

Billy Wagner (1-0) - pitched a perfect 10th inning for his first win of the season.  He also added a strikeout.

Heath Bell (4) - After blowing a save yesterday, Bell came through with his fourth save of the season tonight.  He did make it intersting by giving up a hit and walk, but after 19 pitches the game was over.

Franklin Morales - Pitched with a 6-run lead and struck out two and walked one.

 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!

Gregg Closing in Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays - Kevin Gregg

Gregg was officially named the Blue Jays' closer Wednesday by manager Cito Gaston; "We're just going to reverse the roles a little bit until Jason Frasor can get back to where we think he should be."

Gregg has a 0.23 WHIP in 4+ IP with 6 K and is 3 for 3 in save chances to open the season.

He has recorded 52 saves in the last two seasons, but has never been impressive and he has lost his job each time.  He might be worth a ride, but he is likely to lose his job at some point and either Jason Frasor or Scott Downs will take over.

Sin City Scout

Scott Goes Down, Frasor Takes Over

Toronto Blue Jays' closer, Scott Downs, will be placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained ankle.

Jason Frasor will take over as the closer. Frasor is 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA and 1 save.

The Jays have not been winning much lately so Frasor is not a must have, but it isn't out of the question that Frasor keeps the job.

B.J. Ryan seems to be out of the equation, but if Fasor fails, keep an eye on him as well.

Sin City Scout

Ryan Heads To DL

Toronto Blue Jay closer B. J. Ryan was put on the DL with soreness between his shoulder and back. This comes a day after he blew his second save chance of the season.

Ryan is 1-0 with an 11.12 ERA and two saves in six games. He had a lousy Spring and his job has been in limbo from day one. He could just need some time off, but this is a bad sign for Ryan owners.

Hopefully you already have Scott Downs. If not, the time is now to grab him. Jason Frasor might get a save chance here and there as well if you missed your chance on Downs.

Sin City Scout

Ryan Struggles In Spring

Toronto Blue Jays' closer, B.J. Ryan, has had a rough Spring Training posting an ERA around 9.00 and not looking like a closer. It is being said that his velocity is down in the mid-eighties and that doesn't work for a closer. Some of the same comments were made last year and he turned it up a notch in the regular season and played well.

It is clear that this news is a blow to Ryan's value and Ryan owners need to cover themselves by picking up Scott Downs (5 saves 1.78 ERA in '08), who was mentioned by Cito Gaston as a possible closer. Downs was great last year, but he is a lefty and though that does not mean he can't close, it just means it is rare. Jeremy Accardo got 30 saves with a 2.12 ERA in 2007, but he had a poor 2008 and is a long shot.

In the end, Ryan will be given every chance to close and if he fails, likely a second chance down the line. Stay away if you have not drafted, but don't cut him if you have him. Naturally, if you can, pick up Scott Downs ASAP.

Sin City Scout