Brandon Lyon

;  2007 Holds  2007 ERA  2007 WHIP  2008 Holds  2008 ERA  2008 WHIP

Brandon Lyon             35             2.68            1.24        0 (24 Saves)     4.14          1.38

Continue reading "Heilman Heads Up Another Bullpen Meltdown"

3.12 ERA in those 26 innings, as opposed to just a 1.50 ERA in 24 non-save innings.  Arizona's Brandon Lyon, who has seen success in middle relief earlier in his career, has a 4.88 ERA and five blown saves in 26 chances, along side a 2.16 ERA in non-save situations.  Francisco Cordero, who saves a lot of games every year, but routinely blows a high percentage and allows a lot of runs, has a 5.19 ERA and six blown saves in 27 opportunities.  The Reds signed him to an exorbitant contract in the offseason, but maybe they should have signed him as a middle reliever, because he has a microscopic 1.27 ERA in 21.1 non-save innings this year.  Similarly, Jose Valverde, who led the NL in saves and blown saves last year with Arizona, has a 5.40 ERA in his 33 save chances this year with Houston.  He's saved 27 of those games, but has a much better 3.24 ERA in non-save situations.

Continue reading "Mets Fried By Fish, Maine Leaves Early"

First up is the National League West.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Will Brandon Lyon be able to replace Jose Valverde as closer?

Arizona finished with the best record in the National League last season despite giving up 20 more runs than they scored, thanks in large part to their outstanding 32-20 record in one run games. The key factor in this was a bullpen that did not relinquish leads, no mater how small, that was anchored by Jose Valverde and his 47 saves. Valverde took off in free agency and now

Continue reading "MLB 2008 Preview Part One: National League West"