« Cordero saves No. 30, is 60 in reach? »

With yet another one-run victory after a 3-2 triumph over the Mets, Washington improves to 22-7 in one-run games, barely just better than the White Sox in such games.

Also, surprise shutdown closer Chad Cordero saved his 30th game. The record for saves in a season is Bobby Thigpen, who came into close games and let his White Sox win 57 times in 1990.

According to ESPN.com, Cordero is projected to save 57 games this season. But according to the season, he's on pace to save over 60 games.

Will he?

Last year's hot closer was Mariano Rivera. But look at his numbers before and after the All-Star break:

Before All-Star: 0-0, 0.99 ERA, 32/33 sv, .207 opp. avg.
After All-Star: 4-2, 3.24 ERA, 21/24 sv, .248 opp. avg.

He finished with 53 saves. So does Cordero have a chance for even 57?

Probably not. But I'm rooting for the guy. He's the closer for America's sweetheart team, the Nationals. And he's only 23, so he'll have plenty of chances to rack up more saves.

I'll project him to finish with 51.