(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Florida Marlins - Matt Lindstrom - Tick… Tick… Tick… The clock is ticking on his time as the closer in Florida. I know, in his last five outings he’s 1-0 with three saves, but that’s only because in his last opportunity against the Yankees they spotted him a three-run lead to work with.
How long can a closer with a 5.72 ERA and 1.80 WHIP hold onto his job?
Leo Nunez, who is sporting a 3.58 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, would get the opportunity should Lindstrom continue to sputter. Considering the Marlins are just three games out of the division lead, it’s likely not going to take much more to lead to a change.
Houston Astros - Jose Valverde - He’s back and pitching with a vengeance.
He’s pitched 5.1 innings since coming off the DL, picking up three saves while not allowing an earned run. In fact, he’s allowed just three hits and no walks, striking out seven.
He’s a must-use option once again, plain and simple. If you are a LaTroy Hawkins owner, while he may pick up a vulture save now and then, he has little value outside of formats that value holds.
There have been rumors of Valverde being dealt, but with Houston just five games out of first and their belief that they are never out of a pennant race, that seems unlikely right now.
Los Angeles Dodgers - Jonathan Broxton - His statistics speak for themselves.
Six wins. Seventeen saves. Fifty six strikeouts (in just 35.1 innings). 2.29 ERA. 0.82 WHIP.
He is the best closer in the league in 2009. That’s the bottom line.
Milwaukee Brewers - Trevor Hoffman - Well, he is mortal after all. He’s allowed runs in two of his last three outings, including being saddled with his first loss of the season.
Still, he is currently holding a 1.31 ERA and 0.77 WHIP. Who is going to complain?
At his age, though, it is possible he wears down as the season progresses, so if you have an opportunity for an upgrade, I would not necessarily avoid it.
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