The best three closers in baseball are Jonathan Papelbon, Mariano and Bobby Jenks. They may not have the best numbers every season, compared to guys like Nathan and K-Rod, but they are the best big game closers in the league.
K-Rod looked great in 2002 but he just seems to lose it a little in these playoff games now. Guys like Pap, Mariano and Jenks go to another gear in the playoffs.
Mariano - Nothing needs to be said. Just the greatest. Can't touch him in the playoffs even if he didn't have a great season a couple times in the past. (If that ever even happened, maybe by his standards haha).
Pap - Consistently throws harder and is much sharper in the playoffs; which says a lot since he's almost unhittable in the regular season.
Jenks - Doesn't have the greatest numbers in the Regular Season. Top 5 closer statistically since he came in the league but K-Rod and Nathan have been just as good. He reaches back and throws 97-98 MPH in the playoffs even though he only throws about 93-94 in the Regular Season. His Curveball may be the best in baseball when he's getting it over (See the pitch to Pena tonight).
I wouldn't take anyone over those three in the playoffs. Numbers are just amazing and they don't blow games. With Pap and Jenks we may be watching the 2nd and 3rd greatest Post Season closers developing right before our eyes. They need to do it over the rest of their careers but they've given me no reason to think they won't.
K-Rod looked great in 2002 but he just seems to lose it a little in these playoff games now. Guys like Pap, Mariano and Jenks go to another gear in the playoffs.
Mariano - Nothing needs to be said. Just the greatest. Can't touch him in the playoffs even if he didn't have a great season a couple times in the past. (If that ever even happened, maybe by his standards haha).
Pap - Consistently throws harder and is much sharper in the playoffs; which says a lot since he's almost unhittable in the regular season.
Jenks - Doesn't have the greatest numbers in the Regular Season. Top 5 closer statistically since he came in the league but K-Rod and Nathan have been just as good. He reaches back and throws 97-98 MPH in the playoffs even though he only throws about 93-94 in the Regular Season. His Curveball may be the best in baseball when he's getting it over (See the pitch to Pena tonight).
I wouldn't take anyone over those three in the playoffs. Numbers are just amazing and they don't blow games. With Pap and Jenks we may be watching the 2nd and 3rd greatest Post Season closers developing right before our eyes. They need to do it over the rest of their careers but they've given me no reason to think they won't.
