So team success helps everything, from team building exercises to a secret program that siphons money into a bank account at fractions of a penny at a time. Whatever works, works, but at the end of the day the stats are what matters. Take for example the Texas Rangers’ bullpen. The trio of Neal Cotts, Tanner Scheppers and Jason Frasor are getting it done minus the flair. They have combined for 17 Holds in the last 30 days and are tied for the AL lead in Holds with 50. Earlier in the year, I was asked the best strategy for NSVH, and I said the best way is to grab a top 10 closer and 2 middle relievers from the same team. This is why this theory makes all the sense. Take a resurgent Cotts, who has dominated batters to a BAA of .187. “It’s Murda.” Thanks Ja Rule, for having nothing else to do. Throw in Scheppers and as of late a rejuvenated Frasor and you have a nice drunk punch of goodness for a Holds factory. Holds are a streaky stat, take a look at Mark Melancon, he is still leading MLB in holds only because he had 14 thru the first 30 days. The leader since then? Hmmm, I betcha I just mentioned him above… Tanner Scheppers with 8. Enjoy the week to come.
Aaron Crow – The Crow, more like the vulture. Over the past 30 days, or basically the last time I wrote about MR ( I know, I am a slacker), he has won 4 games, garnered 4 holds and K’d 13 in 10 innings. Sad trombone just came by and kicked me in the shins for not mentioning he also had 2 losses. Nuttin’ says companionship like getting shinned by an emotional brass instrument.
Craig Breslow – I know, FFS, but in all seriousness. Ignore the ERA and stats that suck. Andrew Miller and this guy were the lefties in the Sawx pen. Miller fell down and broke his crown, and Breslow is the lone lefty reliever. Barring a trade which is most likely coming, Craig is it. So if I could quote Friday, “Come on Craig.”
J.J. Hoover – It is just amazing to me that the Reds band-aid bullpen is keeping the team in games. No Marshall, no Broxton, no problem. The group of Hoover, Manny Parra, Alfredo Simon, Sam LeCure and Logan Ondrusek are unscored upon in there last combined 29 innings. Stat wise they suck all the yellow off a Lemonhead, with only 1 hold in the group during that time.
PLAYER | HOLDS | Appearances With Lead |
Inherited Runners |
Inherited Runners Scored |
Mark Melancon | 24 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
Joel Peralta | 22 | 33 | 15 | 1 |
David Robertson | 21 | 27 | 7 | 2 |
Trevor Rosenthal | 19 | 28 | 12 | 3 |
Jesse Crain | 19 | 21 | 20 | 7 |
Tanner Scheppers | 18 | 26 | 11 | 2 |
Jake McGee | 17 | 28 | 21 | 9 |
Scott Downs | 17 | 23 | 26 | 6 |
Matt Thornton | 17 | 28 | 21 | 5 |
Junichi Tazawa | 16 | 24 | 15 | 3 |
Tyler Clippard | 15 | 24 | 8 | 2 |
Jared Burton | 15 | 27 | 3 | 2 |
Ryan Cook | 14 | 24 | 11 | 3 |
Dale Thayer | 14 | 22 | 18 | 1 |
John Axford | 14 | 18 | 10 | 1 |
James Russell | 13 | 31 | 26 | 7 |
Darren O’Day | 13 | 26 | 17 | 5 |
Antonio Bastardo | 13 | 22 | 12 | 2 |
Luis Avilan | 13 | 19 | 19 | 3 |
Aaron Crow | 13 | 17 | 35 | 11 |