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| | Author: MasterBets
| Ranking MLB Closers in 2004
Imagine your future would be determined by a single baseball game that your team had to win. Now imagine that your team leads 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth and the opposing team has the bases loaded with only one out. Who do you call for the save?
For those of us who bet on baseball it is not a hypothetical scenario. We have had over $20,000 riding on a single game, and we're sure you have similar stories. Baseball betting odds are determined largely by which pitchers start, but winning those bets often depends on who closes the game.
With this in mind we present our baseball power rankings for MLB closers (where a team does not have one closer we have ranked the entire bullpen) as of the mid-way point of the 2004 season. This last bit is important. We want to make money now. We're not interested in the most popular closers, or who used to be the best closer. We're ranking the best and worst closers as of June 15, 2004. This list is subject to great fluctuations, and we will update it later in the season.
The 10 Best Closers
1. Eric Gagne (Dodgers)
If our lives were truly on the line, this is the guy who would currently get the call. Gagne hasn't blown a save in a game that mattered in two years. He has the aura of invincibility that every closer needs, and the stuff to back it up. His off-speed pitches make him unhittable when he is on, complementing that 100 mph cheese. If the Dodgers lead going into the bottom of the 9th it is game over until further notice.
2. Mariano Rivera (Yankees)
26 saves in 27 opportunities in 2004, and possibly the greatest closer of all-time. Rivera is nasty, does not back down, and while he is not as dominating now he still has more than enough to save games. If it was a post-season game we would choose him over Gagne, because of his experience. He remains in a different league to the other closers.
3. John Smoltz (Braves)
He's only 9 of 10 this season, and is not close to Rivera or Gagne, but he is still a premier closer. His off-speed stuff is the best in the league when it is on. We sat behind home plate with a Braves scout last year and all we kept saying was "filthy" as Smoltz struck out the side with pitches that dropped late right off the plate. He doesn't get a lot of opportunities these days, but he was a great starter and now he's an equally tough closer.
4. Keith Foulke (Red Sox)
Boston realized how good this guy was for the Athletics, and they pounced during the off season. It was their best move. He will be very tough in post-season play and has tremendous stuff. Foulke has been solid so far this season, and adds betting value to the Red Sox.
5. Armando Benitez (Marlins)
Okay, we were wrong. Before the season started we predicted a complete meltdown for Benitez in Florida. The guy looked ready for a nervous breakdown in 03. Yet, here we are near the all-star break and of all the closers he has genuine all-star numbers. 24 saves out of 25 opportunities, 2 earned runs in 33 innings (amazing), and consistently has electric stuff. Who knew? Now, we still would not be in any hurry to bet him in the post-season, and he could crack at any time, but right now your money is safe when the Marlins lead in the 9th.
6. Danny Kolb (Brewers)
This is our sleeper top 10 pick. Kolb has been very impressive all year, pitching in a small-market and doing his job well. 17 for 18 in saves, and a tiny ERA. Kolb is overpowering and doesn't back down from a challenge. He is also able to get crucial double-play balls, and is one big reason why the Brewers are over .500 right now, and able to mount so many late-inning comebacks.
7. Eddie Guardado (Mariners)
The Mariners will look back and wonder why they signed players like Rich Aurillia, Kevin Jarvis, Jeff Cirillo, Ben Davis, and a number of other mooks and failures that prevented them from being a playoff team over the past few years. But, the signing of Guardado is one for the win column. He isn't called Everyday Eddie for no reason. Guardado has had a very good season while the rest of the Mariners bullpen has looked shaky. He has given up only 3 earned runs in 29.1 innings. The Mariners usually do not have the lead in the 9th, but if they do, or the game goes extra-innings, they are likely to win behind this guy.
8. Joe Nathan (Twins)
Nathan is an underrated closer who is having a great year for the Twins. He hardly ever makes a mistake and is very reliable.
9. Billy Wagner (Phillies)
Injuries have sidelined him for part of the season, but when he is 100% there are few closers that can dominate the way he can. His fastball is in Gagne's league and regularly hits 100 mph. He has off-speed stuff that isn't as good as Gagne's but still makes him a strike-out stud.
10. Francisco Cordero (Rangers)
Another surprise pick, but this guy is putting up monster numbers for the Rangers. He's yet to blow a save this season, and his presence has turned the bullpen around. They were the laughing stock of the AL for years, but now when the Rangers have a lead he can protect it. 19 of 19 so far and counting.
The Worst Closers
This is a closely-contested category. Toronto's bullpen ranks high on the list. They do not have a closer, and the guys that have had the job this season are not good at it. This is a team that is fully capable of blowing a big lead in the 9th and they have to be bet with caution (although their three best starters are pitching very well right now). Rocky Biddle for the Expos has been a disaster this year. He's given up 18 earned runs in 21 innings, and has blown some big leads. The three other closers who would give Biddle a run for his money at the bottom are: Chacon (Rockies), Herges (Giants), and Borowski (Cubs). All three have been pathetic this year, and need 3 run leads to ensure that they get saves. Check out their bloated ERA's and you'll see what we're talking about.
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Tuesday, April 22, 2008 | | |
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