The Closer Report: August 19, 2009

Saves: 10

Save Opportunities: 10

Big time closers come out of the bullpens for an ten save day

By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

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There were plenty of saves to go around tonight in MLB. I haven't seen more than seven saves in one day in over an month, so tonight was special. Not only were there plenty of saves, but most of the big guns came out to play.

Joe Nathan starts off the list. Nathan recorded his 31st save of the season and pitched a perfect inning while doing it. He also struck out two, which got him to over 60 for the season, but this has still been a tough month for him. Tonight was only his second save in August after an incredible nine save month in July. Nathan still has the best WHIP amongst closers at 0.79 and his ERA is at a microscopic 1.54. Bet on him that he will nail down many more saves.

Huston Street hasn't been perfect lately, but he is still nailing down saves for the Rockies. He also recorded his 31st save of the season, but not as easy as Nathan did. Street gave up a solo home run to Josh Bard before settling down and saving the 5-4 win. It was Street's third save in four days, but his other numbers have suffered. Over those three saves he's given up four hits, two earned runs, and only two strikeouts. It isn't much better for the overall month. He was the one of the hottest closers coming out of July (with Nathan), but August has been a different story. He has only four saves, while giving up six runs and striking out five in 5.2 innings. His WHIP for the month is 1.76 on nine hits and a walk. In all of July he gave up only two hits. In August his ERA has raised from 2.44 to 3.24, but his WHIP remains low at 1.00. What does all this mean? Street is regressing a bit as I expected, however he is still one of the top closers out there and he's on target to finish with 41-42 saves.

Jose Valverde continues his march towards 30 saves with his 17th tonight over the Marlins 6-3. He was extremely wild tonight, walking two on 38 pitches. In the end, he got out of it untouched and with two strikeouts. This is Jose Valverde. He bends, but does not break. His injury was terrible for his owners because he is a much better closer then his numbers show. If he wasn't hurt this year, I'd personally guarantee 40+ saves, but atlas I can only promise 30. So far so good for Valverde.

Brian Wilson joined the 30-something club tonight. He closed out a big 1-0 win over Cincinnati tonight, a team that allot of closers are locking down easy saves against. It's been a rough month for Wilson, but he has settled down lately saving two in as many days.

After a couple of rough outing and all-around tough month, David Aardsma got his 28th save of the season tonight. He got it on 22 hard fought pitches, striking out two. After two straight rough appearances Aardsma came back for a big save. You can tell that he has been clearly tired and has been over pitching lately. Hopefully he can get some rest. He only have three saves and his ERA has jumped up over a half-point this month. Still with a 2.13 ERA and 65 strikeouts you have to love Aardsma.

Jonathan Broxton has had absolutely horrid month, but today his defense failed him. After a very smart Pujols walk, Russell Martin launched an errant snap throw to first base that allowed Pujols to get to third base. Broxton then got the next three batters out, but not before Matt Holiday's sacrifice fly. It was his fourth blown save of the month and eight overall. Ryan Franklin got the wrap around perfect inning save. Baseball genius will write books about this guy someday and the Indian Gods will speak his native name; Dances with effortless saves.

Other Appearances:
Mariano Rivera (36) - He is unstoppable and so are the Yankees. Got the perfect save again tonight.

J.P. Howell (14) - Quietly recorded his 14th save in a perfect inning of work.

Matt Capps (22) - The 22 saves look nice, but Capps has yet save two games in a row without giving up runs since June 11 & 14. The Sabermetric formula for that stat Xz * (4X + (xy - yx)) = He's terrible x2.

Bobbie Jenks (26) - His comeback tour continued today with a save over the helpless Royals. Since he nearly lost his closer job he has four saves in a row with a loss in between. He faced two batters today and struck out both.

Mike MacDougal - Pitched an inning and gave up a hit in a non-save situation.