I realize he's been injuried at lot over the last few seasons. However, I think he has lost a step. Don't get me wrong, he still is one of the premiere relievers in baseball. I just think guys like John Smoltz, Eric Gagne, and Billy Wagner have matched and surpassed his ability as a closer. Just my two cents, what do you guys think?
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
He needs to learn another pitch. A change up or something. Lefties are starting to back off the plate and hit the cutter. Righties are also pretty succesful against him. It used to be, the only time he gave up hits were broken bat bloopers over the infield. Now guys are hitting the ball hard much more often.
He is still a good closer, but he's no Gagne or Smoltz anymore.
Still, in a big postseason game, I'd take him over everyone.Originally posted by Jay Bilas -
Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
He needs to learn another pitch. A change up or something. Lefties are starting to back off the plate and hit the cutter. Righties are also pretty succesful against him. It used to be, the only time he gave up hits were broken bat bloopers over the infield. Now guys are hitting the ball hard much more often.
He is still a good closer, but he's no Gagne or Smoltz anymore.
Still, in a big postseason game, I'd take him over everyone.Originally posted by Jay BilasComment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
He needs to learn another pitch. A change up or something. Lefties are starting to back off the plate and hit the cutter. Righties are also pretty succesful against him. It used to be, the only time he gave up hits were broken bat bloopers over the infield. Now guys are hitting the ball hard much more often.
He is still a good closer, but he's no Gagne or Smoltz anymore.
Still, in a big postseason game, I'd take him over everyone.Originally posted by Jay BilasComment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Still, in a big postseason game, I'd take him over everyone.
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Yup, his postseason numbers are sick. Something like a 0.45 ERA I believe. Just filthy.Comment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Still, in a big postseason game, I'd take him over everyone.
<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
Yup, his postseason numbers are sick. Something like a 0.45 ERA I believe. Just filthy.Comment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Still, in a big postseason game, I'd take him over everyone.
<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
Yup, his postseason numbers are sick. Something like a 0.45 ERA I believe. Just filthy.Comment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
Mariano said something the other day that is very true he said you know Tiger Woods that guy isn't doing well either right now. Showing that everyone goes through slumps. Mo isn't the same as he was 2-3 years ago but, then he was by far the best closer in baseball. He is still one of the best in baseball. And he is the guy I want in the postseason. Smoltz and Gagne are better but I haven't seen Gagne in a big spot yet. Except when Gagne blew the All Star Game this year which was pretty big. So Mariano might not be the best but, he still is the you want come October.Yankees
Cowboys
Knicks
RangersComment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
Mariano said something the other day that is very true he said you know Tiger Woods that guy isn't doing well either right now. Showing that everyone goes through slumps. Mo isn't the same as he was 2-3 years ago but, then he was by far the best closer in baseball. He is still one of the best in baseball. And he is the guy I want in the postseason. Smoltz and Gagne are better but I haven't seen Gagne in a big spot yet. Except when Gagne blew the All Star Game this year which was pretty big. So Mariano might not be the best but, he still is the you want come October.Yankees
Cowboys
Knicks
RangersComment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
Mariano said something the other day that is very true he said you know Tiger Woods that guy isn't doing well either right now. Showing that everyone goes through slumps. Mo isn't the same as he was 2-3 years ago but, then he was by far the best closer in baseball. He is still one of the best in baseball. And he is the guy I want in the postseason. Smoltz and Gagne are better but I haven't seen Gagne in a big spot yet. Except when Gagne blew the All Star Game this year which was pretty big. So Mariano might not be the best but, he still is the you want come October.Yankees
Cowboys
Knicks
RangersComment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
Injuries take their tole.Comment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
Injuries take their tole.Comment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
Injuries take their tole.Comment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
game 7 of the world series i'd rather have rivera or smoltz cos they are both big game pitchers.Comment
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Re: Is Mariano Rivera still the closer he used to be?...
game 7 of the world series i'd rather have rivera or smoltz cos they are both big game pitchers.Comment
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