The Closer Report: July 22, 2009

Saves: 9

Save Opportunities: 10

Rivera saves another game, while Fuentes is the first to hit 30 saves

By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

Mariano Rivera is in another world for closers right now. With the slow down of Broxton, Bell, and Nathan, Rivera has surged this month as the premiere closer in fantasy baseball. Today he needed six pitches to dispatch the Baltimore Orioles for his 28th save of the season. Rivera has eight saves this month and more remarkable, he has given only four hits and no runs in in his last 14.2 innings.


Brain Fuentes continues to amaze us all and so do the Angels. They came back against the Kansas City Royals after being down 6-3 and that was in part to Brian Fuentes closing the door on the Royals in the ninth inning. He is the first closer to hit 30 saves and is heading for a 50 save season. No matter who closes for the Angels, as long as they are competitive look for big-time closers in southern California.

Huston Street had an incredible June, but his July has been a bit lackluster. Tonight he got only his fifth save of the month and his 24th of the season. He struck out two and lowered his WHIP below one to a tiny 0.94. Street continues to be one of the more valuable closers in fantasy baseball. He is one of the more valuable closers in the league because of his numbers combined with his trade value perception. He is as good as KROD, but owners would ask allot more for KROD than Street. Trade for Street if you can.

Kevin Gregg got a 1.1 inning save today in a 10-5 win over the Phillies. Gregg was called on in the eighth inning to get the final out after walking Utley. He then had a quick ninth inning and looked very sharp. The walk to Utley was one of those unintentional walks. The Cubs are starting to win and get hot, which bodes well for Gregg owners as he aims for his 20th save at his next opportunity.

David Aardsma rocked his way to his 23rd save of the season securing a 2-1 win for Felix Hernandez. Aardsma pitched a perfect innings and struck out two. He season strikeout total is now at 55. He has slowed down with strikeouts in the month of July, but he is pitching exceptionally well overall.

Ryan Franklin blew only his second save of the season tonight against the Houston Astros. He had poor command of all of his pitches and gave up three hits before recording an out. Just chalk this up as a bad outing, but I've been telling you to sell Franklin and get value for him before the trade deadline. In the game, Valverde pitched a quite inning to get the win.

Other Appearances:
Matt Thornton (1) - Pitched two innings for the save as the White Sox elected to give him the two inning save and give Jenks the night off. pick up Thornton if you can. He doesn't have the job, but he can get it sooner than later.
Mike McDougal (6) - Closed out the Mets 1-2-3 in a rare save opportunity. His ERA is at a comfortable 2.25.
Rafael Soriano (14) - He was quiet for awhile, but got back on his horse getting the save tonight. He did give up a run on two hits.
Doug Mathis(1) - Got the save while CJ Wilson was resting.
Matt Capps - Capps got the win coming in a tie game. He walked one and gave up a hit, while striking out two.
Jose Valverde - Got the win after Ryan Franklin blew the save.
Brad Lidge - The deuces were wild for Lidge today. In .2 innings he gave up 2 runs on 2 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 2. He is terrible.
George Sherrill - Got some work today and gave up a run on three hits. He did strikeout the side.