Lost among the daily clatter of what's happened to Putz and Reyes and the good years by Beltran and Santana is one Francisco Rodriguez. Wright gets headlines. Beltran gets headlines. We have heard how good young Parnell is doing. Livan has been resurrected. But you haven't heard much about the year K-Rod is having. So far, it's better than last year when he set the major league record for saves.
Tonight Rodriguez picked up his sixteenth save in sixteen attempts. He hasn't blown any. If you take blown saves into account, others like Broxton (who has been unbelievable) and Ryan Franklin (who knew?) may have a couple of better stats, but only the venerable Trevor Hoffman is having a better year than Rodriguez.
K-Rod has given up only fourteen hits in 27.2 innings. He has struck out 31 in those innings. His WHIP is 0.98 (his walks are kind of high). His ERA+ is an unthinkable 631. He hasn't given up a run in his last nineteen appearances. In fact, he's only given up two runs all year and they were all in one appearance. So in 26 of his 27 appearances, he's been perfect.
The Mets hoped he would be the answer as their closer and relatively speaking, he came pretty cheaply. In the four seasons prior to this one, he recorded 204 saves. Even if his season ended tomorrow (heaven forbid!), then his 220 saves would give him a five year average of 44 saves. He is on pace to hit 47 this year. If he comes close to that mark, his five year average will be over fifty a year. To use an old Mets' phrase, he's been "Amazin'."
Billy Wagner has been one of the best closers in the game for a long time, but at this point, the Mets can't do better than with Francisco Rodriguez.
1 comment:
Don't forget Frank Francisco. He's been unreal for the Rangers.
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