National League

Updated July 22, 2010

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Arizona Diamondbacks - FANTASY UPDATE:  Yuck!  Another committee situation.  The D-Backs were going with Aaron Heilman in lieu of Chad Qualls before they fired A.J. Hinch, and now with Kirk Gibson at the helm, that is no longer a lock.  Gibson has used Juan Gutierrez a few times lately and has said that he will not announce a closer right now.  That means, Gutierrez, Heilman and even Qualls will be vying for saves until Gibson makes up his mind.  If Gutierrez is strong, then he may get the work full time further down the road, but you can’t count on anything consistent right now.

Atlanta Braves -  The Braves go retro this year as they signed Billy Wagner this offseason and have given him the job for 2010.  Takashi Saito was brought in as insurance, but he’s not going to take save opps away.

Chicago Cubs -  Carlos Marmol in the ninth inning is about the only thing working for the Cubs these days.  He’s got 13 saves to date with a 1.86 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP while ammassing a ridiculous 54 Ks in just 29 innings of work.

Cincinnati Reds -  Shockingly, Francisco Cordero did well enough last season that he maintains the job in 2010 and the Reds didn’t even bother to bring in anyone to give him an inkling of concern regarding job security. 

Colorado Rockies -  FANTASY UPDATE:  He’s hit a few bumps in the road upon his return, but the job officially belongs to Huston Street.  He’s been back since the start of July and has notched 5 saves in that time, blowing just his first the other night.  You can’t rely on him to be a lights out type guy, so don’t expect any eye-popping ratios.   Still, he remains a solid option for your bullpen now that he’s healthy again.

Florida Marlins - The job still belongs to Leo Nunez and any talk of bringing in additional possibilities to close have become a thing of the past.  Feel comfortable with Nunez, who has 23 saves and a 2.72 ERA, for the remainder of the season.

Houston Astros - Despite the fact that his back was flaring up on him and hadn’t made an appearance in 5 straight games, Matt Lindstrom is still the closer for the Astros.  He’s got 14 saves with only 3 blown saves and hasn’t allowed a run in 21 of his 26 appearances.  Brandon Lyon is still good insurance, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be overtaking Lindstrom any time soon.

Los Angeles Dodgers -  The job belongs to Jonathan Broxton and no other.  He’s got quality set up men in George Sherrill, Hong Chi Kuo and Ramon Troncoso, but he’s in no danger of losing the job to any of them. 

Milwaukee Brewers -  After failed attempts in 2010 with Trevor Hoffman and Carlos Villanueva, the Brewers have turned to righty John Axford for ninth inning responsibilities.  He’s currently 4-4 in save opps and has not blown a save yet.  Sure, he’s still had a few hitches here and there, but until Hoffman can prove that he is 100% ready to take back the job, Axford should be the man to own. 

New York Mets -  There was a time when I could just say K-Rod and leave it at that, but with the down season that Francisco Rodriguez had last year, one would speculate that there may be more to the elbow recovery than we once thought.  Still, the job is, of course, his, but if injury should befall him, then look for Bobby Parnell or even Japanese fireball Ryota Igarashi to step in.

Philadelphia Phillies -  If you bought low on Brad Lidge, anticipating his comeback, then kudos to you.  Since coming off the DL on May 1st, Lidge has recorded four saves and has yet to allow an earned run.  He’s been given plenty of rope over the last 2 years, so I don’t anticipate Jose Contreras getting any more save opps unless something serious happens to Lidge.  The Phillies would, very much, like to keep Lidge there all year long.

Pittsburgh Pirates - FANTASY UPDATE:  Despite earlier rumors that Octavio Dotel was losing his job to Evan Meek, it appears that the Pirates will continue to go to their veteran for ninth inning chances.  Dotel’s ratios still suck and he could end up being traded, so I wouldn’t totally give up on Meek, but for now, it looks like his job is safe.  

San Diego Padres -  With the Padres unexpectedly in contention this season, all of the Heath Bell trade rumors have dissipated.  He is locked in as their closer and I woul dhighly doubt he gets moved anywhere this season.

San Francisco Giants -  The job is locked down by Brian Wilson and given the fact that the Giants did nothing to their pen besides losing Bobby Howry and Merkin Valdez, there’s no one here that’s going to supplant him.

St. Louis Cardinals  -  Ryan Franklin returns again for 2010 after taking over, and running away with in 2009, the job.  He’s got former closer wannabe Jason Motte returning as his set up guy and also add in Kyle McClellan who might be the favorite to step in if something should happen to Franklin.

Washington Nationals -  I don’t think anyone can argue that Matt Capps hasn’t been rock solid with his league leading 20 saves this season.  He may not be the perfect guy out there, but he has way exceeded people’s expectations this season.  While Drew Storen remains the closer of the future, there’s no denying that Capps is the closer of the present.