Apparently, somebody has gotten through to closers Jonathan Broxton of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres.
Both look to be as dominant as anybody coming out of the bullpen in 2009.
Bell is 8-for-8 in save opportunities with a 0.00 ERA; Broxton is 6-for-6 with a 2-0 record and 0.90 ERA.
What makes both men tick?
Each is big and powerful with the ability to blow away hitters. And that’s what both are doing thus far.
Somebody on both ends must have told these two closers to quit nibbling around the plate and just get the job done quickly.
A year ago as set up men, each seemed to be trying to be too fine in often working to full counts on batters. Now, each bruiser seems to be going right after people with strike one, strike two and strike three.
Broxton is near 300 pounds; Bell has dropped about 20 pounds to 225. Each is a terror on the mound when going right after hitters, which is going to spell relief for the Dodgers and Padres.
In LA, Broxton is replacing Takashi Saito. Bell has taken over in San Diego for all-time MLB saves leader Trevor Hoffman.
Broxton will likely be pitching in the playoffs this year. Bell’s team will probably finish last or next-to-last.
But when it comes to individuals, you won’t find two more up-and-coming closers than Broxton and Bell.
Both look to be as dominant as anybody coming out of the bullpen in 2009.
Bell is 8-for-8 in save opportunities with a 0.00 ERA; Broxton is 6-for-6 with a 2-0 record and 0.90 ERA.
What makes both men tick?
Each is big and powerful with the ability to blow away hitters. And that’s what both are doing thus far.
Somebody on both ends must have told these two closers to quit nibbling around the plate and just get the job done quickly.
A year ago as set up men, each seemed to be trying to be too fine in often working to full counts on batters. Now, each bruiser seems to be going right after people with strike one, strike two and strike three.
Broxton is near 300 pounds; Bell has dropped about 20 pounds to 225. Each is a terror on the mound when going right after hitters, which is going to spell relief for the Dodgers and Padres.
In LA, Broxton is replacing Takashi Saito. Bell has taken over in San Diego for all-time MLB saves leader Trevor Hoffman.
Broxton will likely be pitching in the playoffs this year. Bell’s team will probably finish last or next-to-last.
But when it comes to individuals, you won’t find two more up-and-coming closers than Broxton and Bell.
2 comments:
I do like Bell and Broxton. Of course, Broxton is lucky to be pitching for a better team. Bell looks great though.
Broxton looks fabulous. I'll bet he pitches in the World Series this year, the Dodgers have a great team.
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