News: Cardinals RP Ryan Franklin, who served as closer much of the season, pitched a scoreless seventh inning Sunday against the Reds. He blew his eighth save Friday, allowing two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Analysis: Franklin was more a closer by default than by ability and likely won't enter 2009 with the role. Even if he does, think of him as no more than a low-end No. 2 Fantasy option

News: Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin blew his eighth save of the season Friday against the Reds, allowing two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. He ended up getting the win, though, upping his record to 6-6.

Analysis: Franklin is more a closer by default than by ability and likely won't enter 2009 with the role. Even if he does, think of him as no more than a low-end No. 2 Fantasy option

That's the second save in as many days for Franklin, who appears to have overtaken Chris Perez as the Cardinals primary closer. The veteran right-hander has a string of eight consecutive scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 3.39.

Cardinals.MLB.com's Robert Falkoff reports St. Louis Cardinals RP Ryan Franklin has thrown eight consecutive scoreless innings.

The Associated Press reports St. Louis Cardinals RP Ryan Franklin recorded his 17th save in 24 chances Wednesday, Sept. 24.

News: Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin pitched the ninth Wednesday against the Diamondbacks for his 17th save in 24 chances. He allowed one hit in a scoreless inning.

Analysis: The Cardinals pretty much close by committee and have been officially eliminated from the playoff race. For that reason, think of Franklin only as a middle-relief option who gets the occasional save

R.B. Fallstrom, of The Associated Press, reports St. Louis Cardinals RP Ryan Franklin earned his 16th save in 23 chances Tuesday, Sept. 23.

News: St. Louis closer Ryan Franklin retired the last four outs on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks for his 16th save in 23 chances.

Analysis: The Cardinals pretty much close by committee and have been officially eliminated from the playoff race. For that reason, think of Franklin only as a middle-relief option who gets the occasional save

Ryan Franklin recorded the final four outs Tuesday against Arizona for his 16th save of the year. Jason Motte took over for Kyle Lohse after six innings and pitched a perfect seventh, causing him to be left in to start the eighth. However, he was removed immediately following a leadoff single. The Cards ended up using four pitchers and giving up one run, with Franklin retiring the only batter he faced to end the inning. Franklin then pitched a perfect ninth. That earned him his second save since July 19.

St. Louis Cardinals RP Ryan Franklin earned his 15th save of the season Saturday, Sept. 6, against the Florida Marlins, according to The Associated Press. In two-thirds of an inning, he struck out one batter.

Franklin hadn't been given a chance to close a game since Aug. 5 and he hadn't saved a game since July 19. After giving up at least one earned run in his last three outings, Saturday's showing is a good sign for fantasy owners in need of late-season saves. Target Franklin if he's on your league's waiver wire.

Franklin hadn't been given a chance to close a game since Aug. 5 and he hadn't saved a game since July 19. After giving up at least one earned run in his last three outings, Saturday's showing is a good sign for fantasy owners in need of late-season saves. Target Franklin if he's on your league¿s waiver wire.

Ryan Franklin picked up his first save since July 19 by getting the final two outs Saturday against the Marlins. Randy Flores started the night and got one out before turning the ball over to Franklin in a two-run game. Franklin, who had allowed runs in his last three appearances, went on to retire both batters he faced. Chris Perez had the night off after pitching three of the previous four days and blowing back-to-back save chances.

A night after earning a loss against the Marlins, Ryan Franklin was called upon for the save on Saturday and he came through.The Cardinals regular closer, Chris Perez, has blown his last two opportunities and it's unknown who Tony LaRussa intends on using in this role for the remainder of the season.