This article makes the same point and says Coke's RHBs are .474 BABIP

Leyland not committing to a closer for World Series

"Just going to play it by ear, see what happens," Leyland said

about Coke:

"I think we'd be putting the cart before the horse all of a sudden to say he's a definite full-time closer," Leyland said. "I'll leave it at that. He did a terrific job, no doubt about that."

Nothing against Coke, but I do think it's funny how he's suddenly being praised as the solution to the closer problem when just a few weeks ago, Coke trotting in from the bullpen would make a lot of Tigers fans groan. And let's not forget his save in Game 3 was very Valverde-like.

Did we link to the recent Grantland article on Coke (by primate Jonah Keri)? 'Cause it was really good.

The Yankees were overwhelmingly left-handed. It doesn't make much sense for Coke to close against Scutaro-Sandoval-Posey-Pence, but he should go in against Belt-Blanco-Crawford.

Coke was only closing against NY because of all the lefties. Period.

I agree with Tim/#5. Leyland's going to mix and match more in this series because the Giants are more balanced offensively and their bench (Huff excepted) is right-handed. I anticipate that you'll see a lot more of Dotel/Benoit/Valverde, maybe even some of Porcello (who has pitched a grand total of 1/3 inning in the postseason so far).

-- MWE

Yeah, the assumption that it's either Coke or Valverde is bizarre. I'd guess Benoit and Alburquerque will see some high leverage innings.

Every Walks Clog Up The Bases post since 1 October "Nothing against the Tigers and their fans.... but (insert uninteresting diatribe about the players not being that good or the people on my Facebook timeline)"

Coke's numbers are the class of the "worst" list Bill provided. He's walking fewer and striking out as many or more, as everyone else on that list. Obviously a weak compliment, and given his struggles against RHB, you have to use him sparingly. But evidence is, he's a bit better than his numbers.

You pretty much have to be Billy Wagner to be a left handed closer.

I am sure that Leyland is smart enough to avoid using Coke in tight spots against righties.

Every Walks Clog Up The Bases post since 1 October "Nothing against the Tigers and their fans.... but (insert uninteresting diatribe about the players not being that good or the people on my Facebook timeline)"

Get real. It's more like 75 percent of my posts!

And all I meant there was it's funny how a handful of games, given the right context, can change the perception of a player in the eyes of a lot of fans. Coke has been one of those guys that a lot of Tigers fans seem to dislike or, at least, not have much faith in. Not until now, anyway.