A team’s ability to win close games is often the difference between a playoff berth and an October vacation. A team’s ability to win those close games is dependent on their bullpen, and more specifically their closer. Up to this point, the 2013 season has been an interesting year for closers, some have been great, others suspect. Here’s a list of my top 7 closers and three bad ones.
Bad Closers
1. Heath Bell
Since his departure from San Diego, Heath Bell has been suspect in the back of the bullpen. In his defense, JJ Puts was supposed to be the closer, but he was worse, so Arizona has been subject to an adventurous last three outs. Heath has blown only three saves, but his ERA and WHIP are 5.02 and 1.64 respectively, OUCH.
2. Brandon League
The Dodgers settled in with Kenley Janson last year as their closer, and he had a very good year. Then they acquired Brandon League, who was awful for Seattle as a closer, and fell in love with his 95 mph sinker and promoted him to be the closer. Turns out tattoos and sinkers aren’t enough to be a good closer, (5.08 ERA 4 Blown Saves) and the Dodgers have reverted back to Jansen as their closer. Look for the Dodgers ninth inning pitching to improve.
3. Jose Valverde
Papa Grande made an admiral comeback, after last years playoff implosion, to resign to a triple A contract with the Tigers and work his way back to the closer role. However, Valverde already has 3 blown saves and only nine saves, looks like Detroit’s closer problem is still up in the air.
Good Closers
7. Aroldis Chapman
Chapman has the ability to be the best closer in the big leagues, but lack of save opportunities and 3 blown saves have knocked him down the list a little. He has a solid 2.53 ERA and he will be important in the Reds push for a playoff berth.
6. Joe Nathan
No one thought the Rangers would be this good, partly because they didn’t appear to have to pitching to compete. The experts were wrong and Nathan’s 24 saves and sub 2 ERA have been a big part of that.
5. Grant Balfour
Balfour has had a stunning 0 blown saves, with a miniscule 1.17 ERA. He ranks 10th in the MLB with 18 saves, but he has been very important in the A’s success this year.
4. Craig Kimbrel
Craig Kimbrel has the best slider in the game, and his fastball is an unhittable compliment. His 3 blown saves keep him from being higher on the lis
3. Edward Mujica
The Cardinals have the best record in the MLB, and that’s partly because when they go into the ninth with a lead Mujica has converted it into a victory every time. He has come out of nowhere and done more than a great job replacing the injured Jason Motte.
2. Mariano Rivera
The best closer of all time is having another unbelievable season. He is tied for first in the bigs with 26 saves and has a 1.61 ERA.
1. Jason Grilli
Grilli has been unbelievable this year for the Pirates converting a league best 26/27 saves and a 1.31 ERA. He rarely lets runners on (WHIP 0.82) and he leads all closers with 57 strikeouts.
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