Struggling closers Eric Gagne and Jason Isringhausen lost their jobs over the weekend, bringing an end to charades that both were going to break out of their funks anytime soon.

Blown saves against one another prompted the action. Isringhausen lost his job on Saturday to a pair of veterans, 35-year old Ryan Franklin and 39-year old Russ Springer. Gagne was removed on Sunday, which created a wide open committee that was seen immediately in the Brewers’ 5-3 win over the Cardinals.

In both instances, Milwaukee and St. Louis rewarded fantasy owners who were paying close attention during their weekends.

The Cardinals’ tandem of Franklin and Springer both got a piece of the action as a result of Gagne’s blown save on Saturday night. Springer loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but worked out of it to get the win. Franklin allowed a Ryan Braun double and got three groundouts in the ninth to pick up a save.

In between, Gagne was done in by one of his many flaws this season. Ryan Ludwick delivered the third Cardinals single of the ninth to plate Brendan Ryan and Skip Schumaker with the winning runs. Leadoff hitters have been a problem for Gagne all along; they reach base 40 percent of the time against him, and he has done an unbelievable job of letting them score (6.89 ERA, 1.85 WHIP).

The Brewers’ closer candidates auditioned on Sunday when the announcement was made about Gagne. Salomon Torres began the ninth inning of Milwaukee’s 5-3 win, but lefty sidearmer Brian Shouse picked up the save as manager Ned Yost played matchups.

Torres gave up a leadoff double, retired the next two hitters, then walked light-hitting Cesar Izturis with two outs. Shouse allowed an RBI single to right-handed pinch-hitter Yadier Molina and got the lefty Adam Kennedy to ground out to end it.

Given that Guillermo Mota (1.50 WHIP), Salomon Torres (1.39 WHIP) and David Riske (1.50 WHIP) can all get into sticky situations, this likely won’t be Shouse’s first vulture save. A couple of base runners, then a left-handed hitter is all it will take.

The ideal situation for the Brewers would be that Gagne takes a break, gets his confidence back and re-claims the role. All the pieces would fall into place in the bullpen, and Gagne would be refreshed for a second go at the job.

If saves are at a premium in your league, it would be wise to stash Gagne away and see how he fares in a set-up role. He has a chance to come back as effective as ever. In the meantime, one or the other of Mota or Torres will collect a small majority of saves. Of the group, Mota has the most explosive stuff, and Torres has the most closing experience (29 career saves).

For the Cardinals, look for Franklin to be option No. 1 and Springer to be option No. 1A. Franklin is having a heck of a season (1.89 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2 saves) and is the team’s hottest hand. He’s not overpowering (8 Ks in 19.0 IP), but is a fierce competitor who knows how to pitch.

Other thoughts …
Right Field Bleachers breaks down all the closing possibilities for Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel breaks the news about Gagne.

Fantasy Scope Baseball likes Torres to win a majority of saves.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryDiamond.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.