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Mariano Rivera has been baseball's best closer for far too many years. When he comes into the game, fans and teams deflate. They all know it's an uphill battle. Although he's certainly not unbeatable (just Google "the steal"), the chances are always low.
It made me think: if Mo is that dominant, who has actually had success against him?
So, without further ado, the best lineup ever to face Mariano Rivera (minimum 10 plate appearances):
C: Jason Varitek
Don't laugh too hard at this. Varitek actually has more hits (10) against Mariano Rivera than anyone in the history of baseball. Well, tied with another player on this list. He's a .286 hitter with one home run vs. Mariano.
1B: Rafael Palmeiro
Raffy is a .333 hitter against Mo in 30 lifetime at-bats. He's also hit two home runs -- the most any one hitter has had off Mo.
2B: Roberto Alomar
Alomar has five hits in 11 at-bats against Mo. He also had two doubles. Flashing the extra base power!
3B: Bill Mueller
First, Mueller is my favorite player ever. Second, do you remember this game? Good. That's what I thought. Mueller also has five hits in 11 at bats, including a home run -- another home run you should remember.
SS: Nomar Garciaparra
Another Red Sox on this list, who knew? Nomar is a lifetime .389 hitter off of Mo with two doubles and a triple.
OF: Carl Crawford
In 17 at-bats, Crawford has six hits. He's also struck out five times, but I'd still take my chances with him at the plate.
OF: Vernon Wells
Probably the only list Wells will be on that represents anything good. Wells is also a .353 hitter against Mo with a home run.
OF: Magglio Ordonez
Mr. 500. In 14 at-bats, Magglio has seven hits against Rivera. He also has two doubles.
DH: Edgar Martinez
Edgar was just dirty against Mariano. In 16 at-bats, he had 10 hits, including three doubles and two home runs. He has six RBIs in his time against Mo.
That's not a bad team. But would they be able to overtake Mo in a one-run game in the bottom of the ninth?
Probably not.
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