The Closer Report’s Weekend Swing 5.29.2011

The weekend swing was a term I coined while discussing my head-to head leagues on my fantasy baseball podcasts. It was used to describe the games that would be played Friday through Sunday and could have a major impact on the number of wins and losses I received for the week H2H. I’m taking that term to a whole new level for The Closer Report. Each weekend I will report on what happened in the world of closers over the three-day weekend, Friday through Sunday. Here are the results of this week’s action for closers.

Weekend Saves:

Ryan Madson (2), Heath Bell (2), J.J. Putz (2), Jordan Walden (2), Brian Fuentes (2), Jonathan Papelbon, Joel Hanrahan, Jon Rauch, Brian Wilson, Brandon League, Chris Perez, Carlos Marmol, Yoshinori Tateyama, Craig Kimbrel, and Fernando Salas.

Multi-Save Weekend:

Ryan Madson (11) – Kimbrel continued to roll with a huge weekend. The Braves closer posted two saves with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts. Kimbrel continues to perform with the best closers in the league. O Thursday he also added a win, striking out the side.

Brian Fuentes (11) – After Grant Balfour gave up a 3-run bomb closing out a game, Fuentes quickly got the job back.  Over the weekend he notched two saves, giving up only one hit in two innings of work.  He might be short-lived.  Andrew Bailey was activated Sunday and could resume closing this week.

Jordan Walden (12) – Walden has been on fire, saving five games over the past seven days.  He recorded two saves over the weekend, but niether were sharp. In two innings of work, Walden gave up two runs, four hits, and a pair of walks.  He has the job, but his control is something to worry about.

J.J. Putz (16) - .J.J. Putz is sizzling in 2011.  He is 16/16 in save opprotunities and locked up two more saves this weekend.  He gave up only a lone walk in his work this weekend and so far in 2011 has posted a 1.57 ERA.

Highlighted Weekend Saves:

Carlos Marmol (10) – Marmol has had a terrible May.  After notching seven saves in April, he has only three in May.  He recorded his third save Sunday, striking out one and walking one.  Marmol is one of the better closers in the league, but because the Cubs just can’t win on a consistent basis, Marmol is largely wasted.

Jon Rauch (6) – Rauch came in for the save with Frank Francisco struggling.  He looked great, striking out two and giving up only a hit.  As it is, Rauch is now the closer. The only question remains how long.  The Blue Jays remain committed to Francisco and Rauch hasn’t been perfect himself.  He’s 2-2 with two blown saves and a 3.92 ERA.

Ugly Performances:

Mariano Rivera -Rivera took the loss for the Yankees on Saturday in extra innings.  It wasn’t a blown save, just a bad performance for the Yankee closer.  He only recorded one out, giving up three hits and a walk.  His ERA rose above 2.00 for the first time this season.

Drew Storen – Storen blew his first save of the season against the Padres Friday night, giving up a blast to Jason Bartlett.  The end result was a win for Storen and he now stands 9/10 in saves.  He is still have a great season.

Neftali Feliz – Feliz has had a rough time as of late.  Everyone is talking about his velocity dropping almost 2 M.P.H. on average since last season, but I think it’s more.  Feliz lacks movement in his pitches and he is missing his spots.  On Friday he blew his third save of the season and since blowing his first save, the Rangers closer has walked 5 in 5.2 innings and has surrendered six hits and two runs.