1.   And while both teams have been erratic in the bullpen, both have closers who can be dominant.

2.   Evans would like to have a closer in place by mid January, sources said, but he does have backup plans.

3.   Having two closers is like having two placekickers.

4.   In Bullet Billy Wagner, they have the closer who is guaranteed to mess up the bio-magnetic rhythms of opposing hitters.

5.   Instead, all the second-guessing was faced by Philadelphia Manager Terry Francona, who did not have his closer, Jeff Brantley.

6.   Leyland still has no closer and will use a committee, unless Jerry DiPoto, Mike DeJean or Curtis Leskanic seizes the job.

7.   Several teams have terrific closers, but Rivera is the closer who never fails in the most pivotal situations.

8.   The Mets pursued Franco because they have no closer on the horizon.

9.   The series against the Mets illustrated the importance of having a closer who does not falter.

10.   They also had their closer, and one of their primary clutch hitters did leave the roster for the rest of the season after damaging his knee in July.