Can you get away without having a true closer?

[Jimbo123]

I'm considering trying to use two R1's as a RH and LH closer combo. Neither pitcher is rated as a true closer. Has anyone tried this? If so, how did it work out?

[AeroDave10]

I would advise against this in the 200X games. I used to think that closers were not as big of a deal as others were making out, but I found that to be an ineffective strategy. I think you need to have at least two guys that can close.

[Jerlins]

I've been in a couple of leagues where PBTR has employed this strategy. It's worked for him, and who can argue with his success?

[apolivka]

There are thousands of ways to put together a winning team. If you are playing the 200x game, doing it without any closers would most likely NOT be one of those winning ways. Maybe not impossible, but it's going to make it a lot tougher.

[toronto50]

If u r i position to win a game why would u risk not having a good closer(s) to finish the game off. This will be the difference in playoffs or not. My current 2008 team is very good...except for the fact that i had as many blown saves as saves!!!! I tweaked the pen and i am now on a 19-2 run (can u say jinx).

I find that 2 closers can help ur pen dominate. I love the Kerry Wood setup and Fuentes closing in 2008.

So far in 2009 Nathan is dominant. However there is a lot of good closers this year and not too costly to put together a great 1-2 punch.

[durantjerry]

I thought of PBTR also, who using closer by committee before the new settings. I think the new manager settings would help, as I have used Nen and Guardado as closers(1999), but mostly as backup closers to another low priced guy. I also have these results from Wendell(my SP's are very good), who is the only closer, but is only a C2:
Wendell, Turk R R2/C2 1 1 15 1 22.1 13 1 1 8 16 1 0.40 0.94
All this being said, PBTR at least had some closer ratings. With no closer ratings, won't the guys be "tired" as soon as they enter in a save situation? If yes, it doesn't seem likely to work to well.

[chasenally]

I'm running a Petco team w/ 6 SP 3RH and LH to try and neturalize OPP batters for the first time. I spent big money on Bailey and 4 heavy L and R relief pitchers that are under $1mil. I am wondering if I need a second RP with some close to go along with Bailey. HAL seems to be working the RP to perfection so far and I think I need another closer rated pitcher even though my SP has gone far onto game so far. 15 games in I an 8-7 with Bailey pitching 20 inn and the rest 15 with most of it being wasted innings. I would not go without at least 1 quality closer as was said above, why take a chance when the game is on the line. When all is said and done and you see 25 blown saves and you are out of the running by 3 games that you make you pucker up. Mike

[durantjerry]

I just ran across this team in one of my league. Off to a 15-3 start with no saves or blown saves to date. Eight complete games. Only one guy with a closer rating and that's a C1.
[url]http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/stratomatic/team/team_other.html?user_id=264283[/url]

[geekor]

I know back in the earlier sets, many guys would use say Donnely and his C0 to setup./close with decent (not great) results. I'm using Feliz as my setup/closer on a new team right now, we'll see how it works out!

[cristano1]

YES. without a doubt.