The NL Closer Report

Predictably, there was a lot of movement on the closer chart this week as some surprising names had big opening weeks.

Strong Performers

Matt Capps | Washington Nationals
The Comments: After a brutal spring, Capps is leading the NL in saves with three in as many chances. The Nats won’t win a lot of games but, when they do, they’ll probably be close contests, which will result in plenty of save opportunities. Be cautious of Capps’ control issues (five walks in four innings). Capps and his teammates now move on to face the potent Phillies offense.

Carlos Marmol | Chicago Cubs
The Comments: Mr. Inconsistent has been pretty solid so far with two saves, as well as just one hit and one walk in 2.1 innings of work. He also has five Ks. Marmol just might eat the Brewers and Astros alive.

Brian Wilson | San Francisco Giants
The Comments: Mr. Wilson was quite good this past week. He saved two games in as many tries and he struck out four batters. The Giants pitchers will look to dominate that Pirates and Dodgers lineups this week.

Heath Bells | San Diego Padres
The Comments: Bell is 2-for-2 in save opportunities and he has yet to allow an earned run. He has walked two batters with two strikeouts.

Leo Nunez | Florida Marlins
The Comments: If you were lucky enough to have Nunez, then you enjoyed a week of two saves and one win. He’s also tossed in three Ks for good measure. Watch out going forward, though, as he’s walked four batters and has a blown save. Nunez could be in tough this week against the Reds and Phillies.

Steady Performers

Octavio Dotel | Pittsburgh Pirates
The Comments: He has just one save to his credit, but Dotel allowed just one hit and one walk in 3.0 innings. He also added three Ks.

Jonathan Broxton | Los Angeles Dodgers
The Comments: It’s been a rough week in LA, which has resulted in zero saves for Broxton. He is, though, racking up the strikeouts so it’s probably only a matter of time before he gets hot.

Francisco Cordero | Cincinnati Reds
The Comments: Cordero has two saves, five Ks and has yet to issue a walk – but he’s also allowed five hits and a home run. He’s getting the job done, but he’s also not fooling a lot of people.

Francisco Rodriguez | New York Mets
The Comments: He hasn’t had any save opportunities but Rodriguez has yet to allow an earned run in 3.0 innings. He also has three Ks, one walk and two hits allowed. After a disappointing start for the team, things do not get any easier with having to face Colorado and St. Louis.

Ryan Madson | Philadelphia Phillies
The Comments: So far, so… OK. Madson has one save in as many tries, but he’s allowed four hits in 2.1 innings. Injured incumbent Brad Lidge is inching closer to a return.

Franklin Morales | Colorado Rockies
The Comments: Like Lidge, Huston Street is working his way back to health. Morales had an OK week with two saves in as many tries. He hasn’t walked or struck out anyone.

Chad Qualls | Arizona Diamondbacks
The Health Report:
The Comments: He got the job done with one save in as many tries, but also gave up two hits (including a homer) in two innings. Qualls will face some struggling teams this week in the Padres and Dodgers.

Fallen on Hard Times

Ryan Franklin | St. Louis Cardinals
The Comments: Yes, he has two saves, but he’s also allowed four hits and two runs in 3.0 innings of work. He also has yet to strike out a batter.

Trevor Hoffman | Milwaukee Brewers
The Comments: Two blown saves in four tries is pretty rough, and the 13.50 ERA is not going to help your fantasy team. Hoffman got hit pretty hard in the first week of baseball.

Billy Wagner | Atlanta Braves
The Comments: Six Ks and no walks looks pretty good, but the 6.00 ERA and one blown save in two tries is not inspiring. The Padres and Rockies are up next.

Matt Lindstrom | Houston Astros
The Comments: The ugly first week for the Astros resulted in zero save opps for Lindstrom, who allowed two earned runs in as many innings. At least he didn’t walk anyone. Things do not get easier this week with the club facing St. Louis and Chicago.

Unemployed

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