In a previous thread, Adam asked:
Maine, who do you think are the five best closers currently active in baseball now? And where does Papelbon figure on the list of active closers?
Here is the situation. 1 run lead, top of the order coming up. Based on what I am seeing RIGHT NOW, the following pitchers would be my top five choices to close out the game:
1: Ryan Franklin. 20 out of 21 saves, 32 innings pitched with 20 hits surrendered, 24 K's to 7 walks, an ERA of 0.84 and THREE earned runs allowed all season.
2: Joe Nathan. 22 out of 24 saves, 33.1 innings pitched, 43 strike outs, 18 hits allowed and only 7 walks. 1.35 ERA. Stupid sick numbers. His two blown saves came with inherited runners in a multi inning save.
3: Heath Bell. 23 saves in 24 shots, 36.1 innings pitched with 40 strike outs and only 23 hits allowed. 1.49 ERA.
4: Jon Papelbon. 20 out of 22, 1.75 ERA. His K's are up where I like at 35, his walks allowed (17) and hits allowed (31) in 36 innings scare me a little. But when he's on, he's on.
5: Joe Broxton. I'll excuse the 2.72 ERA based on the
65 freaking strike outs in 39.2 innings. 20 out of 22 saves, 18 hits allowed and 16 walks. Did I mention 65 strike outs? In 39 innings??
Those are the first five guys I would line up in a world where I could pluck anyone for my 1 run save. How about you?
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