(Photo by: Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

In 2008 the Toronto Blue Jays had the number one bullpen in the Major Leagues led by closer BJ Ryan who returned from Tommy John surgery, set-up man Scott Downs, hard working Jason Frasor and youngster Jesse Carlson.

Fast forward to 2009 and the Jays believed the bullpen would once again be spectacular since many of the same faces would be waiting beyond the right field wall in case one of the starters couldn’t go nine innings. 

Then, injuries struck and shut down BJ Ryan and forced some of the talent to go from the ‘pen to the starting rotation.  Brian Tallet and Scott Richmond have already spent time in the starting rotation this season unexpectedly. 

Although you would think the bullpen would suffer, the Jays have gotten help from Shawn Camp and Brandon League to fill in the gaps and shut down the opposition late in games.

With the best record in the American League, there isn’t much to complain about with regards to the Jays.  A bullpen that again is near the top in most of the pitching categories and is leading in strikeouts won’t have many chinks in the armour.

A review of the staff:

Excellent

Scott Downs:  Started the season as the set-up man, but has been thrust into the closer role as BJ Ryan went down with an injury to his trapezius muscles. He was steady coming out of spring training and many people thought he had earned the closer job at that time. 

Downs has continued to be shut down and is at his most effective when he gets the first batter he faces out.  Look for Downs to continue in the closer role in the near future, and manager Cito Gaston will have a big decision to make when Ryan returns.

Jason Frasor:  He has been the big winner out of the relievers this season and has benefited from all the run support that the Jays offence is putting up.  Frasor has a league leading four wins as a reliever. 

The wins can only come if he is holding the opponents down when he enters the game.  No Jay fan is worrying when they see Frasor trot in from the bullpen.

Very Good

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