Bay Area Baseball

One day after all star voting was closed, it bears reminding that the game is more than just an exhibition of great players. The winner of the game gets home field advantage in the world series for their league champion. Looking towards the game itself one thing that may end up playing a large role is the dominance of American League closers. Should AL Manager Terry Francona decide to carry them, there are as many as eight closers who should be considered for an inning each in the game.

Using them all would significantly shorten the game and might prove to be a good strategy since closers are used to going one inning during the regular season. Unlike starters who are sometimes asked to come in relief during the All Star Game these closers would be simply reprising their normal roles in different innings. If I’m Francona this is what I’m doing after I choose my starter:

1-2 SP Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay or Daisuke Matsuzaka

3 Brandon Morrow, CP Mariners 1-1, 0.71 era, 5 saves 35 k 8 bb

4 Joakim Soria, CP Royals 0-1, 1.25 era, 22 saves 39 k 9 bb

5 Joe Nathan, CP Twins 0-0, 1.30 era, 23 saves 38 k 6 bb

6 Bobby Jenks, CP White Sox 2-0, 1.95 era, 18 saves, 19 k 8 bb

7 Francisco Rodriguez, CP Angels 0-1, 1.93 era, 34 saves 35 k 21 bb

8 Mariano Rivera, CP Yankees 2-3, 0.96 era 22 saves 42 k 3 bb

9 Jonathan Papelbon, CP Red Sox 3-2, 2.00 era 24 saves 47 k 6 bb

If needed: Lefty specialist George Sherrill, CP Orioles 27 SV’s

All of these closers are power shutdown type guys who are used to coming in out of the bullpen and absolutely dominating. All of them throw in the mid 90’s and some, Morrow, Rodriguez, Jenks can reach the 99+ range. While there are SP who are likely deserving of an appearance in the game, it makes it more complicated for them because they are not used to coming in from the bullpen. Going with 7 closers would allow each pitcher to go all out like they do on a regular basis for one inning.

It may be unlikely that Francona goes with this type of strategy but one can’t deny that it would certainly be a daunting task to face those pitchers for most of the game.

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