A CUP of JOE in the SHOW Report #95....Starter is Losing his VELOCITY...make a CALL to the PEN...MId-August CLOSER Report for JUNIOR CIRCUIT....If I CALL...Can you CLOSE?

With the Pennant Races in Full Motion....Teams are looking for a Good Start from the Bump  and some Quality Middle Relief. But when the Game is in the Balance you have yo have that Go-To-Guy in the Pen...ie...the Closer.

The Bluedude makes a Call to the Pen for Mid-August Leaders in Saves sponsored by...If I get on the Horn...I don't want Promises...just Close the Deal Partner...that's what we pay you for. Can you hear me now?...Good!

The AL's Top 10 CLOSERS...What's your Out Pitch?

Note:

Names    (W-L) Saves/Save Opportunities ERA

1. Rodney RAYS (2-2) 38/40....0.79 ERA *

2. Johnson O's (1-1) 37/40....3.14 ERA *

3. Perez TRIBE (0-4) 32/36...3.71 ERA

4. Soriano YANKS (2-1) 30-32...1.68 ERA *

5. Aceves CARMINES (2-7) 25/31...4.01 ERA

6. Nathan RANGERS (2-3) 24/25....2.66 ERA *

7. Broxton ROYALS (1-2) 23/27....2.27 ERA

8. Valverde TIGERS (3-2) 23/27...3.62 ERA *

9. Reed PALE HOSE (2-1) 21/24...3.83 ERA *

10. Wilhelmsen M's (4-2) 17/19....2.45 ERA

* All the Teams in the AL Pennant Race and you will see 5 of these Gentleman in the Post Season. What Jumps out right away is the AL Leader in Saves and ERA with a minuscule 0.79 ERA. Rodney is Lights Out and "Monsters on the Bump".

Johnson has been Solid for Showalter and Crew in Camden Yards and Soriano with all that Pressure losing the "Sandman"...has not skipped a Beat with 30 Saves in 30 Ops.

It will be Rodney and Johnson most likely for the AL 2012 and Bluedude Sportstalk's "Monsters from the Bump" Call to the Pen Award.

Note: Numbers from MLB.com