The Closer Report: June 25, 2009

Saves: 6

Save Opportunities: 6

Valverde gets his fourth save since coming back from the DL

By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

Earlier today, Franky Rodriguez dispatched the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 to getting the saves started in a rather slow day for closers. KROD got the first save of the day striking out two, but also walked two. Granted the walks were given to Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick, which was proably smart.

Fernando Rodney continued his hot run with his sixth save in June and 17th overall. Detroit won 6-4 with Rodney giving up a run on two hits in the ninth inning. It was the first time since April 26 that Rodney had given up a run in a save situation. Though Rodney has an inflated 3.90 ERA, he has yet to blow a save this season and batters are only batting .229 against him. His biggest problem this season has been the walks, 15 in total.

After blowing a save yesterday because of bad defense , Valverde came right back tonight and pitched a perfect inning striking out one. Valverde has had a brutal fantasy season after spending most of it on the DL. However, since coming off the DL he has four saves and he's thrown 7.1 innings of scoreless baseball.

Mariano Rivera got one of the cheapest saves you can ever get. He came into tonight's game with two outs and a four run lead. There were runners on the corners, but Rivera got one flyball out and ended the game for his 17th save. Of course, the cheap saves count too and Rivera owners will take it. Rivera has been behind the leagues leaders all season, but he has been catching up in the month of June. So far this month he is 1-1 with seven saves.

Francisco Cordero recorded his 18th save of the season finishing off the Blue Jays 7-5. Cordero is clearly having a breakout season after last years disappointing numbers. I don't think the current run he is on will be season long. So far in June his ERA risen from 1.71 to 2.03. I expect that trend to continue as he is out pitching all of his career stats. He is going to have a great season, but he is reaching his maximum value, so now would be the time to trade him if you were looking to make a move.

Other Appearances:
Joe Nathan (17) - Nathan got his eigth save of the season and his WHIP has dropped below 0.80.

Ryan Madson - He probably won't be closing for long, but threw an inning tonight in a blowout loss. He gave up a hit and a walk.

Chad Qualls - Pitched a quiet inning in a tie game.

CJ Wilson - Pitched 1.1 innings striking out two and walking one in a tie game.

Matt Capps - Capps got his first win of the season pitching a perfect inning for the 3-2 win.

Bobby Jenks - Struck out two and held the score tied in an extra inning 6-5 win for the White Sox.