Cardinals go to closer by committee: After the bullpen's latest struggles, the St. Louis Cardinals have decided to go to a closer by committee. Closer Jason Isringhausen, who has a 1-5 record, 6.28 ERA and seven blown saves in 19 chances, remained a member of the bullpen although the role was not clear. La Russa said he thought Isringhausen, who was 32-for-34 last year in saves, can still be valuable in the bullpen. "Oh yeah, I definitely do," the manager said. "I think he's got a lot he can offer us." But he conceded Isringhausen's latest outing has shaken the closer, who has 293 career saves. (Updated 08/06/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 8/7/08).
Fantasy Analysis
The Cardinals called up RHP Chris Perez and have Ryan Franklin and Kyle McClellan, who should team up to be a four-headed closer over the coming weeks. Adam Wainwright could also come back and close some games. This obviously severely lowers Izzy's Fantasy value and he's now mostly an NL-only middle-relief option with the upside to regain the closers job in the future. Perez, McClellan -- who is a sleeper candidate and someone to consider in keeper leagues -- and Franklin's value should go up slightly, but you'll never know when any of them will be the one to close, so you can't rely on any of them in Fantasy unless one distances himself. (Updated 08/06/2008).
No information available at this time.
Cardinals go to closer by committee: After the bullpen's latest struggles, the St. Louis Cardinals have decided to go to a closer by committee. Closer Jason Isringhausen, who has a 1-5 record, 6.28 ERA and seven blown saves in 19 chances, remained a member of the bullpen although the role was not clear. La Russa said he thought Isringhausen, who was 32-for-34 last year in saves, can still be valuable in the bullpen. "Oh yeah, I definitely do," the manager said. "I think he's got a lot he can offer us." But he conceded Isringhausen's latest outing has shaken the closer, who has 293 career saves. (Updated 08/06/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 8/7/08).
Fantasy Analysis
The Cardinals called up RHP Chris Perez and have Ryan Franklin and Kyle McClellan, who should team up to be a four-headed closer over the coming weeks. Adam Wainwright could also come back and close some games. This obviously severely lowers Izzy's Fantasy value and he's now mostly an NL-only middle-relief option with the upside to regain the closers job in the future. Perez, McClellan -- who is a sleeper candidate and someone to consider in keeper leagues -- and Franklin's value should go up slightly, but you'll never know when any of them will be the one to close, so you can't rely on any of them in Fantasy unless one distances himself. (Updated 08/06/2008).
= probable start
