For the last two seasons Ryan Franklin has been one of those "how is he fooling everyone?" closers, a winning-ugly type. But Franklin certainly wasn't tricking anyone in Thursday's opener against San Diego. Get out the closer hot seat list, it's time to make another entry.
Franklin absorbed a blown save in the ninth inning against San Diego, courtesy of Cameron Maybin's two-out rocket to center field, and three of the four batters he faced hit the ball sharply. The Friars went on to take the game in extra innings. Franklin somehow had just two blown saves last year despite seven homers allowed and a 3.46 ERA. Tony La Russa obviously isn't going to shuffle his bullpen after just one misstep, but we should at least take a look around the Cardinals roster, just in case.
Jason Motte, who didn't pitch Thursday, is generally considered the logical hedge for Franklin doubters. Motte didn't have the tidiest spring, for whatever that may mean (9.1 IP, 13 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 4 BB, 6 K), but he's got the heater and strikeout potential you look for in a closer. Motte had his own gopher problem in the first half of 2010, but he didn't give any long balls over his final 20 appearances.
La Russa used a pair of journeymen in the eighth inning Thursday, getting three outs to preserve what was a 2-2 tie at the time. Neither righty Miguel Batista or lefty Trever Miller have much of a closing argument to be made for them, but you could have said the same thing about Franklin a few seasons back. Mitchell Boggs is another option, though he had more walks than strikeouts during camp.
Add it all up and the strongest case for Franklin is probably the lack of challengers in back of him. He'll get chances to right the ship. If you had to make a spec play right this second, Motte is the logical pick.
• The Don Mattingly era got off to a tidy start at Chavez Ravine, with Clayton Kershaw working seven dazzling innings (4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K) en route to a 2-1 victory. Hong-Chih Kuo worked a scoreless eighth – though he needed 22 pitches – and Jonathan Broxton closed up, getting the handshake despite a Pat Burrell solo homer. Tim Lincecum deserved a better fate on the other side, allowing just one unearned run over seven innings (the sloppy World Champs collected three errors).
Is Matt Kemp's best game going to come out with the new regime? He had his game face on Thursday, reaching base four times (including three walks), stealing a base and scoring both Los Angeles runs.
• The Angels trimmed the Royals, 4-2, with a movie we've all seen before. Jered Weaver was superb over 6.1 innings (2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K) while Luke Hochevar did his normal tease-then-collapse bit – he struck out five, but was victimized by a couple of home runs (Torii Hunter, Jeff Mathis). Fernando Rodney survived two baserunners in the ninth – Alex Gordon narrowly missed a walk-off homer down the left-field line before ultimately striking out (capping an 0-for-5 day with three strikeouts; can Ned Yost be patient?). Three Royals who acquitted themselves nicely: Melky Cabrera (three hits, stolen base), leadoff man Mike Aviles (solo homer), and post-hype whipping boy Jeff Francoeur (homer, outfield assist).
Speed Round: As my buddy Dalton Del Don was musing earlier in the day, it's silly that the Braves are using Jason Heyward as their No. 6 batter to open the season. Heyward didn't mind the slot, hitting an opening-day homer for the second straight year, but you wonder why Fredi Gonzalez isn't using Heyward's on-base skills in the second slot (where Nate McLouth is currently miscast). … Underrated catcher Nick Hundley had a couple of hits for the Padres, including a double that hit the top of the left-field wall. Unfortunately for the moment, he's stuck in the eighth spot in the order. … With Franklin Gutierrez battling ongoing stomach problems, Ryan Langerhans is expected to get playing time in Seattle. … Brandon Belt reached base twice in his debut (scratch single, walk), not the worst line in the world given the opposition. … J.A. Happ (oblique) will do some throwing Friday and still might be able to start against at Philadelphia on Sunday (no thanks).
Albert Pujols rapped into three double plays in the St. Louis loss, just to underscore that even the greatest of the great have off days. … Brian Wilson (oblique) had a quality throwing session and probably will be back on schedule next Wednesday. … Carlos Gomez had a homer and a steal for the Brewers, but given his skill set and career history, you wonder if the early home run is the worst thing that could happen for him. Make contact, use your wheels, Go Go. … Barry Zito (car accident) is still in line to start Sunday night against LA. Either way, you can watch that game (and all of the Sunday night games) with the company of the Yahoo! fantasy staff in our weekly Sunday night live blog. Stay tuned for details.
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Image courtesy Associated Press