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Every week I take a look at the going's on in the life of relief pitching in fake baseball. This week, we have come to the all-star break. These rankings are a pretty good indicator of who has been getting it done and who has wasted your roster space. So have a gander at how I would rank the best conclusionary pitchers and the guys that set them up.
- Juan Carlos Oviedo, or the artist formerly know as Leo Nunez, will begin a rehab assignment this week after coming back from suspension. Ozzie, being that bat-crap crazy guy he is, has already suggested a closer share with struggling Heath Bell. In deeper leagues, its worth adding Oviedo on speculation, but I wanna see some counting stats first.
- Matt Capps is coming back from the DL. He was sidelined with some shoulder issues. In his stead Glen Perkins has 4 saves, and Jared Burton has 2. I wouldn't drop either save spec guy just yet as Capps as been rumored to be on the block, with the new kids and Jenny.
- Well I am glad that me talking submissive awoke the sleeping stats of Kenley Jansen. In the past 7 games he has 3 saves and 11 K's in 6 plus innings. You, my friend, get a sticker.
- I know that Ernesto Frieri is the sexier to own guy in the bullpen for the Angels, but has anyone taken a gander at Scott Downs numbers. Go look. I will wait. Yea, he has been crazy good with 15 holds and 8 saves, he is easily in the top 5 of most valuable RP in baseball.
- At the mid way point of the season...well sort of, did you know that they are only 2 closers who have been perfect in save opportunities and garnering saves from them. Huston Street and Ernesto Frieri come on down. You are the next yadda yadda yadda spay and neuter.
- In set-up catch-up, Jason Grilli has the highest K/9 rate of any non-closer. He also has 2 less holds, 21, than the league leader Vinnie Pestano.
Stick around for the mid-seson closer rankings and Holds tiers after the jump.
2. Rafael Soriano
5. Jim Johnson
7. Jonathon Papelbon
8. Jason Motte
10. Aroldis Chapman
11. Joe Nathan
12. Tyler Clippard
15. John Axford
16. Ernesto Frieri
18. J.J. Putz
20. Heath Bell
21. Addison Reed
22. Alfredo Aceves
23. Jose Valverde
27. Carlos Marmol
28. Tom Wilhelmsen
29. Bobby Parnell
30. Jared Burton / Glen Perkins / Matt Capps
Tier 1.
Mike Adams TEX
Sergio Romo SF
Vinnie Pestano CLE
Joaquin Benoit DET
Sean Burnett WAS
Sean Marshall CIN
David Hernandez ARI
Jason Grilli PIT
Antonio Bastardo PHI
Scott Downs ANA
David Robertson NYY
Vincente Padilla BOS
Tier 2:
Steve Cishek MIA
Tim Byrdak NYM
Francisco Rodriguez MIL
Pedro Strop BAL
Eric O'Flaherty ATL
Charlie Furbush SEA
Aaron Crow KC
Joel Peralta TB
Josh Lindblom LAD
Matt Belisle COL
James Russell CHC
Jake McGee TB
Grant Balfour OAK
Mitchell Boggs STL
Shawn Camp CHC
Tier 3:
Chad Durbin ATL
Greg Holland KC
Juan Cruz PIT
Bryan Shaw ARI
Luke Gregerson SD
Juan Cruz PIT
Joe Smith CLE
Matt Thornton CHW
Jose Arredondo CIN
Brad Ziegler ARI
Boone Logan NYY
Jesse Crain CHW
Andrew Miller BOS