/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1231487/GYI0061849042.jpg)
Every week I take a look at the going's on in the life of relief pitching in fake baseball. 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.
- The closer situation in Milwaukee is a mind numbing affair. Jim Henderson, not the guy who played with puppets, but the career minor leaguer has supplanted almost 400 career saves in the back end of the pen. Long term I can't see them ticking with Hendu for next year. Just think that Axford is struggling with confidence.
- Huston Street was cruising along, signed a new deal then proceeded to get hurt. He is currently rehabbing, but not throwing. An early September return is possible. Dale Thayer gets his second stint as interim closer.
- The Giants pen has been up and down most year Santiago Casilla looked fantastic, then crumbled withe the work load. Jeremy Affeldt is getting his chance in the closer role now in the Bochy Fun house.
- The revival of crocodile save'd in Oakland is pretty much complete. Grant Balfour has pretty much returned to the role that he had for the beginning of the year, usurping young upstart Ryan Cook. Blafour has saved 4 consecutive games for the A's in 10 days.
- Since the trade of Jonathan Broxton, Greg Holland has done the job that we all knew he was destined for. He is a a perfect 5 for 5 in save chances and averaging 12 K/9 since the All Star break. Long term he looks like the answer, but who really knows the royals could throw Francouer there and hope to retain some value.
Stay here for updated closer ranks and some helpful Holds tiers.
2. Craig Kimbrel
5. Jim Johnson
11. Joe Nathan
12. Ernesto Frieri
22. Alfredo Aceves
23. Steve Cishek
24. Jim Henderson
26.Wilton Lopez
27. Carlos Marmol
29. Frank Francisco
30. Jared Burton / Glen Perkins
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
Ronald Belisario LAD
Edward Mujica STL
Tier 2:
Pedro Strop BAL
Eric O'Flaherty ATL
Aaron Crow KC
Drew Storen WAS
Luke Gregerson SD
Joel Peralta TB
Josh Lindblom PHI
Matt Belisle COL
James Russell CHC
Jake McGee TB
Mitchell Boggs STL
Shawn Camp CHC
Heath Bell MIA
Ryan Cook Oak
Jonathan Broxton CIN
Tier 3:
Juan Cruz PIT
Bryan Shaw ARI
Juan Cruz PIT
Joe Smith CLE
Matt Thornton CHW
Jose Arredondo CIN
Brad Ziegler ARI
Boone Logan NYY
Jesse Crain CHW
Andrew Miller BOS
Brett Myers CHW
Kevin Jepsen LAA