Kuzul

There were eight closers this week that didn’t allow a run and saved at least two games. Within the A group, you will find four players who recorded a combined 11 saves and 18 K’s. One team is ecstatic its guy is back, while another team is glad it found someone.

Here is this week’s Closer Report.

Grade A

Heath Bell (Padres)

After going 3-for-3 in SVO this past week, Bell is tied for second in the majors with 21 saves. Bell has 43 K’s in 32.2 IP while owning a 1.93 ERA.

Brian Fuentes (Angels)

Fuentes enjoys being at the top for a second time this season, as he doesn’t allow a run and recorded all three save chances. For the season, Fuentes was able to lower his ERA to 4.84.

Jose Valverde (Tigers)

In three appearances Valverde recorded two saves, struck five out, and went 3.2 scoreless innings. He now has a 0.53 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP.

Joakim Soria (Royals)

The last of the A group only went 3-for-3 in SVO and allowed just one hit. Soria is 19-for-21 on the year and has a 2.51 ERA.

Grade B

Francisco Cordero (Reds)

Cordero is tied for second with 21 saves on the season after recording two more during the week. On the flip side, Cordero has a 4.14 ERA and has given up four HRs.

Matt Lindstrom (Astros)

Lindstrom went 3-for-3 during the week and is now 18-for-22 on the season. Not bad while playing for a team with just 31 wins.

Ryan Franklin (Cardinals)

St. Louis’ closer goes 2-for-2 during the week while not allowing a run but receives a B because he didn’t record one strikeout. His ERA falls to 2.23 for the year.

Bobby Jenks (White Sox)

Jenks went 2-for-2 in SVO and now has 18 saves in 19 chances. He added one K to his season total of 35 in 29 IP.

Andrew Bailey (Athletics)

After the last week Bailey’s WHIP sits at just 0.97, and his ERA isn’t far behind at 1.69. He went 2-for-2 while allowing just two hits.

Grade C

John Axford (Brewers)

If you listened, you now have a reliable closer, as does Milwaukee. Axford has been better than expected, as he has gone a perfect 8-for-8 on the season and has a respectable 3.00 ERA.

Rafael Soriano (Rays)

Soriano is still going under the radar, I feel, and it doesn’t make much sense. Although he receives a C this week, the man has a 0.76 WHIP for the season. Soriano went 2-for-2 but did give up a HR.

Grade D

Carlos Marmol (Cubs)

The Cubs’ electric closer was just that this past week. Marmol walked six and fanned eight more batters. This is important because he now leads closers in both categories (25 BBs and 66 K’s).

Kerry Wood (Indians)

Wood was one of the few who recorded three saves, but he blew another and gave up two earned. Wood is 8-for-11 with a 6.62 ERA.

Grade F

Jonathan Papelbon (Red Sox)

Papelbon is not exactly having a career year. He blew two more saves, gave up five earned and two HRs, and finished the week with a 12.27 ERA. On the season he has given up 14 earned and six HRs.

Manny Corpas (Rockies)

On the season Corpas has four losses and three blown saves with a 4.50 ERA. Good thing for Rockies fans Huston Street has come back strong with a save and four K’s in 4.1 IP.

Originally published at www.FantasyBaseballSportal.com

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