The Closer Report: Heath Bell Shines as Brad Lidge Declines

Rank

Next in Line

Comments

Heath Bell Padres

1

Edward Mujica

Bell got "touched up" last week for one run. That was his first all season and his ERA sits at 0.46.

Francisco Rodriguez, Mets

2

J.J. Putz

K-Rod is right behind Bell with 13 saves. His ERA is higher and his strikeout-to-walk ratio isn't as good as Bell's.

Trevor Hoffman, Brewers

3

Carlos Villanueva

Hoffman has 11 saves since coming off of the DL on April 27th. He's hot and the Brewers are hot. How long will this last?

Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox

4

Takashi Saito

Papelbon is working on adding a slider to his mix of pitches. Over his last two appearances that experiment hasn't turned out well.

Francisco Cordero, Reds

5

David Weathers

Cordero hasn't blown a save this season and has recorded a strikeout per inning pitched. Both great things for a top-5 closer.

Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers

6

Cory Wade

Broxton has actually blown a couple of saves, but turned them into wins. He has five relief wins to go along with his 11 saves. He's also leading all closers with a 13.88 K/9 ratio.

Mariano Rivera, Yankees

7

Phil Coke / Alfredo Aceves

Rivera has a sick strikeout-to-walk ratio of 24.00 (24:1 K:BB). His ERA has climbed a bit lately, but that was before the Yankees started clicking. Expect a big run soon from Rivera.

Ryan Franklin, Cardinals

8

Dennys Reyes / Jason Motte

Franklin doesn't have the massive strikeout totals of some closers but he is entrenched as the closer on a contending team and batters are hitting .162 against him.

Frank Francisco, Rangers

9

C.J. Wilson

Francisco has already recorded a save (his 10th) since his return from the DL and has three strikeouts in two innings of work with zero runs given up. He's back!

Brian Fuentes, Angels

10

Jose Arredondo

Fuentes has two blown saves thus far but hasn't blown one since May 1st. Since then he's recorded eight saves and only given up one earned run in 9 2/3 innings.

Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks

11

Tony Pena

True, Qualls has 11 saves. But he's given up five earned runs in his last seven games. Let's hope this isn't the start of something bad.

Bobby Jenks, White Sox

12

Matt Thornton

Jenks is more like a low-end No. 1 closer with the White Sox playing poorly.

Joe Nathan, Twins

13

Matt Guerrier

Nathan has already blown two saves and isn't the same dominating force in the 9th inning that he was last season.

David Aardsma, Mariners

14

Mark Lowe

Since overtaking Brandon Morrow, Aardsma has really shined in the closer role. Now if only the Mariners could consistently provide him with save opportunities.

George Sherrill, Orioles

15

Chris Ray

Sherrill's job is no longer in jeopardy as he's recorded six saves over the last month with an 0.82 ERA.

Scott Downs, Blue Jays

16

B.J. Ryan

Downs is doing just fine in save opportunities, it's the non-save chances where he seems to get worked over. He has a fantastic strikeout-to-walk ratio of 11.50 (23:2 K:BB) and is striking out more than a batter per inning.

Fernando Rodney, Tigers

17

Joel Zumaya

Rodney doesn't strike a lot of batters out, but he doesn't make too many mistakes either. He hasn't blown a save yet.

Brian Wilson, Giants

18

Jeremy Affeldt

This is typical Brian Wilson we're seeing here. A mid-four ERA and three blown saves already.

Kevin Gregg, Cubs

19

Carlos Marmol

Gregg was rolling along nicely in early May until a four-run outing almost doubled his ERA. He's not in terrible danger of losing his job, but Marmol is always one step behind.

Mike Gonzalez, Braves

20

Rafael Soriano

Soriano had to step in and fix a mess Gonzalez created this past week. Gonzo has already blown three saves and Soriano seems capable, when healthy, to do the job.

Huston Street, Rockies

21

Manny Corpas

Street is seven for seven in save opportunities and has brought his ERA down to 3.26 while not giving up an earned run in the month of May.

Brad Ziegler, Athletics

22

Andrew Bailey

Bailey earned his second save of the season and manager Bob Geren said Bailey and Ziegler may share closing duties from here on out.

Matt Capps, Pirates

23

John Grabow

Capps hasn't thrown in two days but it seems like he'll miss a trip to the DL. His 6.46 ERA and .361 batting average against are reasons for alarm.

LaTroy Hawkins, Astros

24

Chris Sampson

Hawkins hasn't recorded a save since May 14th and actually has two losses over that same period of time.

Brad Lidge, Phillies

25

Ryan Madson

Lidge's four blown saves is the most in Major League Baseball. This is a far cry from his perfect season of 2008.

Kerry Wood, Indians

26

Rafael Betancourt

Wood isn't being given the save opportunities to make him a No. 1 closer option, or even a mid-to-upper No. 2 option, for that matter. Batters are hitting .290 against him too.

Matt Lindstrom, Marlins

27

Leo Nunez

Lindstrom has a 5.85 ERA and isn't offering fantasy GM's the consistency needed to be a top fantasy closer.

Jason Isringhausen, Rays

28

Joe Nelson / Dan Wheeler

With Troy Percival out Izzy was handed the keys and promptly blew his first save opportunity. He may stay in the role or the closer duties could go to Nelson or Wheeler. Keep watching.

Juan Cruz, Royals

29

Kyle Farnsworth

Cruz is filling in nicely for Soria with two saves going for him. Soria will be out another two weeks, so if you need saves Cruz can be a cheap option.

Joel Hanrahan, Nationals

30

Joe Beimel

Hanrahan still isn't close to becoming more than a bottom-rung closer, but he has recorded two saves in his last three appearances without giving up an earned run.