| Perkins A Stress-free Closer |
| By Sally Haase April 12, 2013 When the Minnesota Twins decided to cut ties with closer Matt Capps, the decision was made that Glen Perkins would be the new closer for the team. Perkins took over the closing role last season when Capps was out with injuries. He did a decent job when given the ball, but the Twins did not have that many opportunities for the closer to come into the game for the save. This season the Twins have already won two series and it only took a week and a half into the season for that to happen. For at least two of those wins; Perkins was given the ball to save the game. He got the save and the innings were 1-2-3 innings; a rarity among Twins closers in the past seasons. Starting with the Joe Nathan years and ending with Capps, the closers for the Twins did their best to give the fans a heart attack and nearly lose the game before finally getting the third out. Yes, the team would get the win, but those stressful wins are hard on the fans and on the closers because they are forced to throw more pitches than the ideal when closing out a game. Perkins, like many former Twins closers started out as a starter, then due to injuries and ineffectiveness was moved to the bullpen where he found success in long relief and as a set-up man. The arm was there, the Twins just took some time to find the right role for Perkins. They seem to have found the right role for Perkins now. I know it is just two saves, but when you have seen games when it felt like Nathan or Capps would face one batter and suddenly there would be three runners on base; a quick 1-2-3 inning is something to get excited about. The Twins may not have too many exciting things going on this season and the emergence of Perkins as a reliable, if not a great closer will be a bight spot on the Twins roster. |
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