Bullpen Report

Let's take a look at what the closers did this past week.

* Indicates and upgrade since last week

X Indicates a downgrade since last week


No Competition

Bobby Jenks - Two more scoreless innings and one more save.

Jason Isringhausen - He did blow one last week but still maintained a 1.00 WHIP. He even got the win in addition to two saves, so it was a banner week despite a high ERA.

Matt Capps - What did I tell you? He was just a bit rusty. How about 5 scoreless innings, 4 K's and 2 saves with a 0.60 WHIP.

Jonathan Papelbon - 2+ innings, 5K, 2 saves. Awesome.

Joe Nathan - Two scoreless and one save. He will likely drop down some in my rankings as the year progresses. Not that it has anything to do with his ability, but Johan Santana isn't out there every 5th day giving him a sure-fire opportunity to save a game. And with the way Liriano is pitching, the Twins may struggle to win ballgames. Don't be surprised if he save total is lower this year than in past years (I know SO are random, but I have different reasons here).

Joakim Soria - One scoreless, one save. Things remain the same here.

Francisco Cordero - 2 scoreless and a save. The opportunities will come.

Kevin Gregg - 3+ innings and 2 saves. He gets the job done.

* Huston Street - He's back in the game. 3+ scoreless innings and 3 saves. He held a 0.90 WHIP and gave up no runs.


X Mariano Rivera - One scoreless inning.

X Takashi Saito -Both he and Mo are downgraded because they are older and likely to toss less innings. If their team doesn't get a save chance, they are unlikely to contribute much. He had one scoreless inning last week.

Some Competition


*George Sherrill - Two more scoreless innings and 2 more saves. Good for him. One more week like the first two and he may move up even more.

*CJ Wilson - 3 scoreless and two saves. He's another guy who needed to prove himself to me and he's doing just that.

Manny Corpas - He had 2 saves and gave up one run over 3 innings. Only two K's though.

Brad Lidge - Four: scoreless innings, strikeouts, walks. Two saves was nice but he's walking a ton of batters. He remains a #2 with some risk involved.

Troy Percival - Two scoreless innings, no save opportunities.

Joe Borowski - Borowski blew his only chance of the week. What's new?

Todd Jones - Two scoreless innings and one save. Hey, thats one more than last week. Despite a lack of ability, he's still a great buy low from someone who thinks the Tigers are awful, which they aren't.

BJ Ryan - One game, one inning, one save. Welcome back BJ. Now, stay healthy.

*Eric Gagne - He had a much better week nailing down 2 saves in 3 innings of work against the Mets. He did give up a run though and doesn't look "lights out."


Getting Worried

K-Rod - He blew his only chance of the week. He's got to prove his health.

Chad Cordero - Back off the DL, Cordero loaded the bases and needed Jon Rauch to help him get out of a jam where Rauch picked up the save.

Trevor Hoffman - Two innings and two saves, but a 2.50 WHIP scares me.

Billy Wagner - Two innings and one save. That brings his total to a whopping 3 innings this year. I'm not a big fan.

JJ Putz - Mark Lowe picked up the most recent save and threw two scoreless innings this week. I wouldn't go crazy, but Seattle has given opportunities to others this past week as well. Rowland-Smith picked up a save as well.

X Rafael Soriano - On the DL. Moylan picked up a save and Acosta could be in the mix too. Soriano has done nothing to prove he can handle the job.

X Jose Valverde - He hasn't been the same in Houston as he was in Arizona. He blew his only save chance this week by allowing 3 runs in the 9th. His 3.00 WHIP looks awful.

The Bottom 3

Brandon Lyon - Fortunately for his team and his owners, he didn't pitch at all this past week.

Brian Wilson - Four innings and two saves, but an awful 7 hits and 2 walks allowed. He isn't going to last very long if he keeps this up.

Kerry Wood - Four innings and a blown save. In addition, both Marmol and Howry picked up saves.

It should be noted that the "getting worried" column simply means that I'm getting worried. These are not rankings.