Bobby Jenks: "Finally!" Me: "But for how long?"
If you look at the A group, with the exception of Broxton, you will see a lot of old faces. With disregarding the ageless one, Mariano Rivera, I am sure most would have never expected to see the likes of Wagner, Jenks, and Lidge receiving an A for their relief efforts this year on any list. Fortunately for their teams, these closers performed at very high levels over the past week and jumped up to the top of the list. So whose place did they take?
Grade A
Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers): Broxton remains electric, over the last seven days the Dodgers closer struckout seven in four IP while allowing just three runners to reach base. He added two more saves to bump his season total up to 15. With the exceptional week, Broxton was able to lower his ERA to 0.99 and now has a 42:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio on the year. He has given up just three-earned in 27.1 IP.
Bobby Jenks (White Sox): Well look who it is, after falling under the D or F grades for most of the year Mr. Jenks was able to finally put together a solid week. Jenks made good on both of his SVO and added five strikeouts in four IP. The Sox closer allowed just three hits and no walks, but still has an ERA of 5.14 on the season.
Billy Wagner (Braves): For the second week in a row the Braves closer has received an A, and deservingly so. Wagner gave up just one hit and struckout four. He did walk two but was able to work out of the minimal damage with ease. Wagner now has ten saves in 12 chances on the year, and 36 K’s in just over 23 IP. (more…)
