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About the Author - CriticalFanatic
"Hell."

Jason
Chicago, IL
Male 28 years old

About Me:
Somehow remain a passionate sports fan despite living and dying with the Chicago Cubs and Michigan State athletics. Born in California, grew up in Michigan and went to college at Miami U (Ohio). All of which have shaped my sports fandom. Also a featured blogger and editor of this fine website you might have heard about called FanIQ.
NL Central: Your Home for Closers
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If You're Looking For A Reliable Closer, Don't Look In The Midwest
by CriticalFanatic
>7 days ago

During most seasons, I would settle for knowing that the Cubs had the most reliable closer in the NL Central. Not so much this year.

Phil Rodgers of the Chicago Tribune ran with a column yesterday proclaiming Kerry Wood the most "reliable" closer in the NL's Central division. I'm not convinced that's true, but his point was of course, relative.
Jason Isringhausen of the Cardinals leads the NL in blown saves with five. He also claims the league lead in saves, but don't go trying to compliment any St. Louis fans with that statistic. After blowing his latest save Friday night, Isringhausen said, "I'm pitching like a 2nd-grader."

Eric Gagne had to beg for Ned Yost to take him out of the closers role over the weekend after going 9-for-14 in save appearances and sporting a 6.89 ERA. He's on pace to also blow the most saves where his team still won the game. I doubt Brewers fans are impressed.

Jose Valverde is only 2-for-5 in save chances for the Houston Astros.

That leaves Kerry Wood who's pitched 19 inning so far this season and only blown three saves. Before the weekend where he picked up a save on Friday and Sunday he statistics looked considerably worse.

I think the new theme for the NL Central is "Can You Close Better Than A Second Grader?"
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Read More: MLB, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Eric Gagne, Kerry Wood, Jason Isringhausen
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69 days ago
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(Edited 05/12/08 1:59PM by 100%InjuryRate)
I'm pretty confident that Marisa Miller could be better than at least Valverde and Gagne. She's got a gun. She'd probably put more butts in the seats too.

http://www.faniq.com/blog/Video-Marisa-Miller-Best-First-Pitch-Ever-Blog-8226
 
69 days ago
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I know I am biased but I gotta go with Cordero here.  He is currently 5 for 5 and has a 1.93ERA. He hasn't had the opportunities to close a lot because the Reds suck... but he is solid... something tells me the Brewers wish they had him back.
 
69 days ago
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The Dugout comes through as always.
 
69 days ago
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Billy Koch approves of this post.

 
69 days ago
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Fat wrote:
I know I am biased but I gotta go with Cordero here.  He is currently 5 for 5 and has a 1.93ERA. He hasn't had the opportunities to close a lot because the Reds suck... but he is solid... something tells me the Brewers wish they had him back.
Definitely wish we had him back, but not with that contract.  By the time the Reds are competing Cordero is going to be an overpaid reliever.
 
68 days ago
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"I think the new theme for the NL Central is "Can You Close Better Than A Second Grader?"

That's retarded.
 
68 days ago
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Fat wrote:
I know I am biased but I gotta go with Cordero here.  He is currently 5 for 5 and has a 1.93ERA. He hasn't had the opportunities to close a lot because the Reds suck... but he is solid... something tells me the Brewers wish they had him back.
I agree, if milwaukee had not made a deadline for cordero to resign last fall, he would've stayed in milwaukee. Then when the mitchell report came out in the winter, gagne was on the report. something tells me that he had to stop taking hgh or something. Brewers will have to use Torres, mota, maybe riske as closer  for now.
 
 
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