From JOEL SHERMAN

My friend and colleague, Mark Hale, asked a good question recently to me: After Billy Wagner, who is the best closer in the NL? That question provoked a few thoughts: 1) That Wagner is the best closer in the league, an honor he has accentuated with a strong opening to the season. 2) It is arguable that Philadelphia’s Brad Lidge, who has yet to allow a run this season, is also in the discussion.

But yearly consistently must be part of the debate and Lidge, the one-time apprentice to Wagner in Houston, certainly has endured difficulties with consistency the last few years.

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