The Closer Report: April 23, 2010

CLOSER NEWS:
N/A
SAVES:
Brian Wilson (3) Wilson finally recorded a save.  It was his first save since April 6, and he went out there with a vengeance.  Besides a simple single, Wilson struck out the side for his third save of the season.  His ERA remains at 0.00.

Jonathan Papelbon (4) - Paps had another tough outing.  He did get the save, but in the process looked wild walking two batters and giving up a hit.  To put a positive spin on the save, he did intentionally walk Wiggington and he struck out Lugo to end the game.  That is how expereinced closers do it.

Francisco Rodriguez (2) - Recorded his second save in as many days.  He is still lacking his trademark sharpness that we haven't sen in awhile.  He needed 22 pitches to close he game and gave up a hit and a walk, while striking out two. His WHIP rose to 1.27, but his ERA lowered to an impressive 1.04.

Kevin Gregg (5) - Gregg was needed for 1.1 innings, but got a clean save. He looked great giving up a hit and striking out two.

Matt Lindstrom (5) - Another 12 pitch save for Lindstrom.  No hits and a strikeout.  Lindstrom has clearly found his closer niche.

Briean Fuentes (2) - Fuentes was back in the closer role and frankly it was a shocker.  When I saw Fernando Rodney coming into the eighth inning I was thinking someone got screwed.  I did assume that since the Yankee lineup is loaded with lefties and switch hitters that maybe Scioscia went with his lefty.  Thames did pitch hit for Johnson and Fuentes turned Teixeira around.  Will see what he does next.

Chad Qualls (3) - Qualls had a hefty three run lead to work with and he didn't even need it.  Why?  He only needed one out.  It was 7-3 going into the ninth and after Heilman gave up a run, Qualls entered the game with two outs and a runner on second.  He dispatched of Polanco on five pitches.

BLOWN SAVES:
Neftali Feliz (1-0 BS1) - Feliz got rocked tonight and badly.  Well, maybe not that badly, but he gave up three hits, including a wacky shallow double to Johnny Damon.  He couldn't close the deal on Magglio Ordonez who with two outs got the big hit to tie the game at 4-4 and blow the game for Feliz.  He did manage to get the win, so it wasn't all bad.
APPEARANCES:
Carlos Marmol - Pitched 1.1 innings for some odd reason in a blowout.  Still, he struck out three out of the four batters he retured.
Jim Johnson - Gave up a hit in 1/3 of an inning against the Red Sox.
Rafeal Soriano - Got some work in against the Blue Jays.  Struck out two in an inning of work. His WHIP has gone down to 1.14 and his ERA is loking much better at 2.57.

To get more from Todd Farino, RC Rizza, and Rhett Oldham. Listen to our weekly podcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/fantasy-baseball-tonight. Listen to us LIVE every Wednesday at 10pm EST for 90 minutes of pure fantasy baseball talk.

2010 Breakouts MLB Player Profile: Rafael Soriano, Tampa Bay Rays

Written By Todd Farino, http://www.fantasybaseballsearch.com/.


Player: Rafael Soriano
Team: Tampa Bay Rays

Throws: Right

Position: RP

FBS Breakout Rank: 3/30

The Braves parted ways with Soriano in an off-season trade to the Rays and I think it was a huge mistake. For a few years now Soriano has been on the radar as a future stud closer and last year he took the next step towards that role. He recorded 27 saves and a 2.97 ERA, while striking out 102 in 75.2 innings. 

Soriano has one of the best K/9 rates among closers and he has been added to a team that will see plenty of save opportunities and has a manager that won't be afraid to use him as often as needed. For owners, Soriano's only question mark is his consistency. He is still developing and his consistency should thrive and develop in 2010. 

As far as his new team goes, the Rays will be in allot of tight games and have a knack for comebacks.  That will bode well for their new closer, who should see plenty of action and over power aggressive American League hitters.  There are only a handful of closer who will get more than 100 strikeouts in a season
or get 40+ saves.  Mark down Soriano for both of them.

Right now Soriano is being drafted in the late 13th round.  That should change as we get near the end of spring training.  He's obviously a steal at that point, but drafting him as early as the eighth round is a smart and effective move.  Let the draft dictate where you take Soriano.

The True Guru Projections: 46 Saves, 4 Wins, 115 Ks, 3.21 ERA, 1.02 WHIP

I feel this player will achieve my projections through our formula based on 11 herbs and spices (its locked at Fort Knox). Of course we are assuming he stays relatively healthy for the entire season.
Check out the rest of our breakouts here

To get more from Todd Farino, RC Rizza, and Rhett Oldham, catch our weekly podcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/fantasy-baseball-tonight . Listen to us LIVE every Wednesday at 10pm EST for 90 minutes of pure fantasy baseball talk.

David Price gets the call, will start for the Rays

I guess the old and whiley Joe Madden had enough of the slow starts of Neilman, Sonnanstine, and now the injury to Kazmir. "That's too many," as Ace Ventura would say. Joe had to finally call up his prized reinforcement of David Price.

Price did not make his scheduled start today in the minors and is set to start on Monday against Fausto Carmona and the Cleveland Indians. It is on the road, but against a slumping offense and shaky starter. If Price can get off to a fast start he could cruise for an easy win and chalk up some strikeouts.

Start him.