5. Santiago Casilla, San Francisco » Casilla, 31, never closed full?time before this season, but he’s done a terrific job. He hasn’t surrendered more than one hit in a game. He’s had one game in which he’s allowed more than one base runner, but he still earned the save. 4. Jonathan Papelbon, Philadelphia »
Casilla’s numbers are a little better, but Papelbon is a proven stud as a closer. He’s allowed four earned runs this season, but three occurred in one game. And in seven of his 17 appearances he’s allowed no base runners. Plus, in his last five games he’s thrown 50 pitches — 40 strikes. Papelbon has a 2.20 ERA, mostly from one outing, but he entered Tuesday with 19 strikeouts in 161?3 innings and opponents are hitting .190 vs. him.
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3. Brett Myers, Houston » In 15 appearances, he’s allowed no base runners six times and has a 1.93 ERA. And in 14 innings, he’s struck out nine and walked just three (with nine hits). Opponents have a .184 batting average against him.
2. Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay?» He’s one of the more surprising stories of the season, only getting a chance when Kyle Farnsworth was injured. Rodney has seized the opportunity with 13 saves (in 13 chances) and a 0.46 ERA. He struck out 19 batters in his first 192?3 innings.
1. Jim Johnson, Baltimore » He’s barely ahead of Rodney, but it’s tough to argue he doesn’t belong here. He’s converted all 15 save opportunities and owns a 0.92 ERA with only 16 base runners in 192?3 innings. Johnson has allowed more than one base runner once in 19 appearances.
– John Keim
