20 Great MLB Starting Pitchers Who Would Have Killed It As Closers

As we see all too often in this league, having a reliable option to take the mound in the ninth inning can vault a team to postseason glory, while a shaky closer role can cause teams games on a frequent basis.

Some of the game's best closers have honed in on their role throughout their whole career. But that doesn't mean that we can't think about what it would be like if some of the game's best pitchers had taken on such a challenge.

Here are some great pitchers that may very well have fit in nicely as closers for their teams.

Stephen Strasburg

With an arsenal of pitches like he has at his disposal, the Washington Nationals can't afford to have Stephen Strasburg closing games when he can rack up innings as the team's ace.

In 27 major league starts, Strasburg has struck out better than 11 batters per nine innings, while showing relatively solid control of his pitches in walking only two.

Greg Maddux

As the first pitcher in major league history to take home four consecutive Cy Young awards, Greg Maddux knows plenty about being an elite pitcher.

His ability to work the counts efficiently allowed him to walk very few batters, while getting out of innings in due time afforded him the opportunity to complete games using less than 80 pitches.

Randy Johnson

We all know it's only a matter of time before Randy Johnson makes his way into the Hall of Fame, and if he had made a living as a closer in baseball instead of one of the game's all-time Aces, he would've probably ended up in the same place.

Johnson struck out nearly 11 batters per nine innings during his 22 major league seasons, something he parlayed into a 303-win career and 3.29 ERA.

Roger Clemens

With all the legal troubles surrounding Roger Clemens recently, it's easy to forget about all the amazing things he did on the mound while he was still playing.

Clemens had six 20-plus win seasons in 24 years in the league, four times leading the league in wins as he punched out batters to the tune of a batter per inning with each of the four teams he played for.

Phil Niekro

Thinking about the current talents out there closing out games, you can't really come up with a knuckleballer who's shutting the door on opposing teams.

If there ever was to be one, it'd have to be Phil Niekro, who was the best at it, pitching until he was nearly 50 years old and racking up better than 300 wins.

Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez will no doubt go down as one of the best pitchers in league history when he finally takes his place in Cooperstown in the near future.

He was an integral part to a number of successful teams, not the least of which was the Boston Red Sox—ending their nearly century-long curse in 2004.

Walter Johnson

As baseball's all-time leader in shutouts, it's hard to argue with anything Walter Johnson has ever done on the mound.

He led the league in strikeouts eight consecutive seasons, and no doubt could've been a phenomenal closer during his era, effectively closing the door on any opponent he faced.

Dan Haren

An important member of the revamped Los Angeles Angels, Dan Haren is one of the game's best at throwing the splitter, with an effective 46.6 rating.

His ability to keep hitters off balance would've been an asset in late-inning situations as a bullpen option—though he's certainly doing his job in the early innings.

Mordecai Brown

With one of the game's best curveballs, you'd have to think Mordecai Brown could have held his own in the ninth inning, closing out games with ease.

He wasn't known for missing bats as much as many other pitchers on this list, but with a 2.06 career ERA, Brown clearly knew how to get the job done.

Daisuke Matsuzaka

Dice-K has made only 44 starts in the past three seasons, and he's expected to miss more time early this season as he awaits a return from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last July.

When he is on the mound and in command, his arsenal of unique pitches allows him to be a dominating force, though he hasn't necessarily been a winning decision for the Red Sox overall.

Tim Lincecum

There's no doubt that the Freak has some of the game's best stuff—even if his recent outings don't show it. 

With a great changeup and some of the best command of his pitches around, Lincecum will no doubt continue to get better and should be set for a massive payday in the near future.

Dave Stewart

Dave Stewart's accomplishments on the mound can't really be denied, as he was a valuable asset for both the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays among other teams.

And while he may have struggled to maintain his composure at times, Stewart's 168 wins and sub-4.00 career ERA speak volumes to what he was able to do.

Nolan Ryan

As the game's all-time strikeout king, it's hard to think Nolan Ryan wouldn't succeed at anything he ever did on the mound.

He struck out 10 batters per nine innings throughout his 27-year career in baseball, and while he's also got the all-time record for walks, Ryan would be a dominating force to head up against in the ninth inning.

Roy Halladay

There's no doubt that Roy Halladay is one of the best pitchers in the league right now, and when it's all said and done he very well may be one of the best to ever take the mound.

He's won at least 16 games in each of the last six seasons, and with less than two walks per nine innings he boasts some of the best control in the game.

Don Drysdale

Pitching alongside one of the all-time greats in Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale was one of the most fearless pitchers of his time, often throwing purpose pitches to make sure anyone who set foot in the batter's box knew what they were up against.

Drysdale didn't walk many batters, and with his ability to keep hitters guessing, he probably would've been a viable late-inning option for the Dodgers had he not been a starting pitcher.

Doc Gooden

Doc Gooden was a fantastic pitcher at times, though you have to wonder what could have been had he not struggled with as many off-the-field issues as he did.

His fastball was one of his most dominant assets when he was hurling for the Mets, striking out eight batters per nine innings while pitching for New York.

Bert Blyleven

As one of the newest members of the baseball Hall of Fame, Bert Blyleven no doubt has some great credentials behind him.

He may have given up nearly 500 home runs throughout his career, but he also took one of the fiercest curveballs the game has ever seen and turned it into better than 3,700 career strikeouts.

Bob Feller

With a career .621 winning percentage to his name, Bob Feller is no doubt one of the most successful pitchers to ever take the mound.

He did miss out on three major league seasons while he served the United States overseas during World War II, but he didn't miss a beat when he returned, winning 46 games during his first two full seasons back in baseball.

Johan Santana

With the best changeup in the game, Johan Santana has pitched his way to two Cy Young awards during his 11 years in the league, four times posting the lowest WHIP in the league.

His plus fastball is also a very effective pitch (115.7) and while he hasn't made 30 starts in a season since 2008, he's doing his part to get back on track from the surgery that sidelined him for the 2011 season.

Sandy Koufax

When you look at the best pitchers of all time, it's hard to have a list that doesn't include Dodgers great Sandy Koufax.

The youngest player ever elected to the Hall of Fame, Koufax led the league in punch outs four different times and was the first pitcher in league history to throw four no-hitters.