The value of a closer can be overstated sometimes, but it's better to have a good one than not. For five years, the Orioles knew that they could rely on Gregg Olson to preserve narrow ninth-inning leads. Similarly, the 2012 O's would be in deep trouble without relief ace Jim Johnson. Today, the first-time All-Star earned his league-leading 28th save by closing out a second straight one-run win over the Twins. The team is now 37-0 when leading after eight innings, 18-6 in one-run games, and 32-14 in games decided by two runs or less. You can thank Baltimore's sinkerballing closer, who has only blown two save opportunities all season. Incidentally, the Orioles won both of those games in extra innings. We're not in Jorge Julio or Kevin Gregg territory any more.
Was in Milwaukee when Olson came to close an Orioles win. One drunk Brewers fan claimed the game was over. And he was right. Olson was terrific
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