The Closer Report: August 4, 2009

Saves: 3

Save Opportunities: 4

Rivera goes more than an inning for his 31st
By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

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Sorry about missing yesterday's report, but I wasn't feeling well after some bad Mexican food. For tonight's report we had light action on the field with only three saves, however plenty of closers pitched today.

Mariano Rivera got his league leading 31st save of the season with a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays. It wasn't one of his best performances giving up three hits and recording no strikeouts for the 4-out save. He threw 26 pitches for the appearance, but that probably won't stop Girardi from using him tomorrow. Rivera has remained the best closer in all of baseball.

David Aardsma continued pitching extremely well with a save over the Royals. He didn't do it without some drama by walking the bases loaded before he got John Buck to foul out. He did strikeout David DeJesus to open the inning for his only K of the evening. Aardsma has continued to pitch well through July and into August. His ERA is at an astonishingly low 1.61. He has to be due for regression since his previous low ERA was 4.08 in 2006. I'd tell you to trade him, but the numbers aren't always right and if this is a special season for Aardsma you'd want to keep him. If you are dominating in the saves category you can move him, otherwise keep Aardsma.

Francisco Rodriguez was tough to watch tonight. He blew his fourth save of the season and did it in big-time fashion. He threw a 41-pitch ninth inning where he gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. He only recorded one out before blowing the save on a single to Skip Schumaker. He had terrible command tonight and had a flat curve ball. His command and bad curveball were responsible for two of the hits and the runs. KROD has been pitching terrible lately with one save in over two weeks and he hasn't been the same pitcher since the big fight with management. At this point I'd unload any Mets players you have, including Rodriguez.

Mike MacDougal has been pitching very well lately, especially for a Nationals closer. He notched his ninth save of the season in a comeback win over the Marlins. He did give up a hit and walked a batter, but overall he has dropped his ERA to 2.81 on the season. His WHIP is still very high and unappealing at 1.56, but he should be good for 5-7 saves over the rest of the season. Not bad for a free agent pickup.

Other Appearances:
Jonathan Papelbon - Pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout in an extra inning game. He only threw 15 pitches and showed excellent command, which he hasn't had lately.
Ryan Franklin - Came in to close out the win over the Mets in the tenth inning. It wasn't a save opportunity because the Cardinals scored five runs in the tenth inning.
J.P. Howell - Pitched 1.2 innings giving up two hits and a walk. He was very economical, only needing 16 pitches.