As a pitcher in any level of organized baseball, your job is to not allow runs. Realistically, no one is ever able to completely disallow runs, so then at least your job becomes to give up the fewest runs possible. This becomes even more important when discussing Major League closers. Closers generally come in to close games in the late innings. Allowing runs at that time can often be the difference between a win and a loss. So, a closer’s job is to give up the fewest runs possible, right? Many closers excel at their job, while others don’t but somehow keep from getting fired, or its baseball equivalent. The following pitchers have allowed the most runs in baseball in the ninth inning or later:
- Brad Boxberger: 17 runs
- Luke Gregerson: 19 runs
- Cody Allen: 20 runs
- Fernando Rodney: 22 runs
Three of the four are firmly entrenched as the closers for their teams despite this ugly stat. Even Fernando Rodney still gets significant innings, as Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon seems unwilling to stick the full-time ninth inning job on Carson Smith. A huge part of baseball, and all sports really, is the aspect of performing under pressure (or “clutch” if you will). These pitchers may be good at getting guys out in general, but in baseball, timing is everything.
Be sure to check out our Closer Depth Chart.
Closer News Around the League
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland A’s traded away closer Tyler Clippard before the deadline and have been trying to mix and match since then. Edward Mujica was named the closer and given the first chance to run away with the job, but he struggled and was pulled from the position almost as quickly as he was put into it. On Wednesday, lefty Drew Pomeranz came in for a save opportunity and earned his second save of the season by inducing three fly ball outs on fourteen pitches, nine of them for strikes. According to A’s beat writer Jane Lee, manager Bob Melvin was asked if Pomeranz was now the team’s closer and he replied with “He was today,” lending absolutely no clarity to the situation. If he is eventually named closer, Pomeranz would be worth an add in all formats. He has a 3.67 ERA/3.38 FIP on the year with 8.43 K/9 over 39 games, including nine starts. Sean Doolittle is on his way back and should reclaim ninth inning duties eventually, but he may need time to get back up to speed, so the A’s will be looking for a closer in the meantime.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays and manager Kevin Cash had a bit of a revolving door in the ninth inning earlier this season, but Brad Boxberger has seemingly settled into the ninth with lefty Jake McGee manning the eighth before his injury. Despite recent struggles (Boxberger has been saddled with a blown save or a loss in four of his last six games) he shouldn’t be at much risk of losing his job, especially since McGee injured his left knee and will be out for the remainder of the season. Boxberger’s season overall hasn’t been awful. He has a 3.19 ERA/4.02 FIP to go with a solid 11.06 K/9. His issues have been with control, as he walks 4.88 per 9 innings, and with timing. As mentioned above, Boxberger is among the league leaders in runs allowed in the 9th inning or later (17). He also has nine losses, which is the most for any non-starting pitcher in baseball this season. While fantasy owners don’t need to worry about Boxberger losing his job anytime soon, there may be better closing options available either on the wire or via trade (for those leagues that have not already past their trade deadlines).
Cincinnati Reds
Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is one of the most exciting players in baseball. From barrel rolls to 103 mph fastballs, he is a must-watch whenever he takes the mound. Reds fans cheer when he comes in and cheer when he hits triple digits on the park radar gun, which he does with nearly every pitch he throws. He is having another remarkable season, posting a 1.81 ERA/1.68 FIP with a ridiculous 16.13 K/9. His control has always been iffy, but his 4.53 BB/9 is fine when he’s only allowing opponents a .195 batting average against. Reds fans have plenty of reasons to love their Cuban closer, but this week he did something he had never done before; blow a save at home. Chapman had converted 56 straight saves at Great American Ballpark before he allowed a solo home run to Ben Zobrist of the Royals in a 1-0 game.
Injury Updates
Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins, he of the 31 saves and 2.66 ERA, has undergone some treatment for a sore neck. He has not been placed on the disabled list and he rejoined the team on Thursday. The Twins will likely be extra cautious with him since he missed time last season with a similar injury. Perkins hopes to be able to be back on the mound by Tuesday. For now, MRI results showed no structural damage and Perkins received a cortisone injection. In the meantime, manager Paul Molitor said he would turn to Kevin Jepsen in save opportunities until Perkins returns. While Jepsen’s tenure as closer will likely be short, he’s worth an add in the meantime, especially for Perkins’ owners.
Interesting Tidbit
Speaking of Perkins, his season numbers would look significantly better if the Twins never had to play the Yankees. This season, Perkins is 1-4 with a 2.66 ERA overall. Against the Yankees, he is 0-2 with a 45.00 ERA. Half of his losses have come against the Yankees and 5 of the 14 runs he has allowed as well (in only one inning pitched).
Top Performers
- Trevor Rosenthal – 3 IP, 3 SV, 3 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
- Andrew Miller – 3 IP 2 SV, 7 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
- Craig Kimbrel – 4 IP, 3 SV, 5 K, 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
- A.J. Ramos – 3 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
The only closer to save four games this week was Milwaukee’s Rodriguez, but he also posted a 5.40 ERA, which took him out of the running for top performer. Plenty of closers racked up two and three save weeks, and here we have four of the best.
Cardinals ninth-inning anchor Rosenthal had a nice even week, securing three saves and notching three strikeouts in three total innings. He allowed just a hit and a walk as his solid season continues.
Miller of the Yankees only saved two games this week, but he amassed seven strikeouts and only allowed two hits and a walk while also earning a win in relief. Miller has been great all season and should be a fantasy asset down the stretch.
Padres closer Kimbrel seems to have shaken off whatever was bothering him earlier in the season. He’s starting to look like the Kimbrel of old. This week he saved three games and struck out five batters over four innings. He did allow a run on three hits and a walk, but he was able to limit that damage and earn three saves.
Finally, Marlins closer Ramos had a nice week. With the team finally winning a few games, he had a chance to save three and converted all three opportunities. In his three innings pitched he notched six strikeouts and allowed a run on two hits and a walk. Somehow, Ramos is owned in only 63% of fantasy leagues.
Don’t forget to check out our Closer Depth Chart.
David A Marcillo is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from David, check out his archive and follow him @DavidMarcillo77.