Is it time for Jon Rauch to replace Frank Francisco as closer?

The title of this post begs to be asked. Considering that Frank Francisco’s last two outings were-to put it mildly-disastrous, and the fact that he had to be bailed out by Jon Rauch on both occasions, Terry Collins could be leaning towards making Rauch his new closer. Ever since he came off the DL, Francisco has not been quite the same. In four games back from the DL, Francisco has tossed 2.2 innings and has given up eight hits and issued four walks while allowing six earned runs. Actually, the only time he looked good was when he first came off the DL on August 4 against the Padres when he recorded a two-out save. Collins says Francisco simply hasn’t had enough work. Hogwash! I think Collins is just toeing the company line and spitting out half-truths and tired-out clichés. Collins has got to be thinking that he may have to switch to Rauch as his closer eventually, as Rauch twice has bailed out Francisco after letting almost insurmountable leads get edgy. Rauch has now had two stra...