Mariners Analysis: Attention Seattle, We Have a Closer

Edwin Diaz is settling in nicely to his new role as closer with the Mariners, but will his success last in the Emerald City?

The role of closer has always been a tender spot for Mariners fans. From Kazuhiro Sasaki blowing it in Game 4 of the 2001 ALCS to the fizzling out of Brandon League to the many meltdowns of Fernando Rodney, the 9th inning has not been a comfortable time for the Mariners faithful.

This week started with an announcement by Seattle Mariners skipper Scott Servais saying that they were making a change at closer. Steve Cishek had blown 6 saves, which is tied for the Major League lead. He also gave up a tie-breaking home run in the 9th to the Red Sox on Monday. Besides the six blown saves, he also lost three separate games that were not save situations (i.e. entering the game while tied). He had a 6.10 ERA in July and Servais thought it was time for a change.

Enter Edwin Diaz.

Diaz entered into his new role sporting a 1.80 ERA in 24 innings with 46 strikeouts.

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His numbers since becoming closer? 3 saves in 3 chances. He has allowed just one hit and one run while walking one with 7 strikeouts.

As a closer, every pitch is a “high-leverage” pitch. Not everyone can do it. Every pitch can win or lose the game. Also, the closer seemingly faces the best hitter in the lineup at the most inconvenient times.

Here are some of the hitters Diaz has faced in his short time as closer: Jackie Bradley Jr. (twice), David Ortiz, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Those hitters have a combined 1,298 home runs, 26 all-star appearances and 4 MVPs. How did they fare against the M’s new closer? They were a combined 1 for 5 with all four outs being strikeouts.

Diaz struck out two sure-fire Hall of Famers (Ortiz and Pujols), a perennial MVP candidate (Trout) and the player with the longest hitting streak of the season (Bradley) in the 9th inning with the game on the line. That is nails. That is being mentally stalwart. This kid has shown time after time that he has no fear.

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This is not to mention those times he got key strikeouts facing a stout lineup not yet as the closer. Like the time he carved through Orioles hitters named Adam Jones, Manny Machado and Chris Davis like they were soft butter and he a hot knife. For the fun of it, he has also mowed down the likes of Miguel Cabrera, Mark Trumbo, Evan Longoria, Anthony Rizzo and Matt Wieters. Just to name a few.

The fact is Edwin Diaz is the new closer and will remain so for a long, long time. He has sparked something in the Mariners fanbase and clubhouse. There is an electricity at Safeco Field when he comes in that is palpable and real and boy has he delivered.

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Now, the honeymoon phase will end. There will be some bumps and hiccups down the road. This kid is 22 years old, after all. Sometimes I wonder if even he knows where his 101 MPH pitches are going. Nevertheless, let us enjoy the journey and watch this kid who is not even old enough to rent a car grow up before our eyes. This will be a fun ride.