Closer Monkey

Category: atlanta braves

  • Matt Belisle would have had the first post-Kintzler Twins save chance

    August 3, 2017 [EDITOR’S NOTE: Our Donation Drive continues through this week. As always, we are extremely grateful for your support!] Minnesota Twins — Some — including a Twins beat writer on Twitter! — scoffed when we predicted Matt Belisle would be best-positioned in the Twins bullpen if Brandon Kintzler was traded. But Wednesday night found…

  • Shane Greene closing after Justin Wilson trade; Jim Johnson moved to committee

    July 31, 2017 Atlanta Braves – Jim Johnson has lost his position at the top of the Atlanta bullpen, and will now share duties with a handful of other relievers. Arodys Vizcaino is the best reliever to own right now, as he would’ve gotten the save chance last night, had the Braves taken the lead.…

  • Kirby Yates records save, Melancon to begin rehab

    July 30, 2017 San Diego Padres — With Brad Hand unavailable yesterday after pitching three games in a row, Kirby Yates recorded his first save of the season.  Phil Maton pitched the eighth inning, so it would appear that Yates is the first choice to close if Hand is dealt. Updated hierarchy: *Hand | Yates…

  • Kelvin Herrera blows save, leaves game with illness

    July 20, 2017 Kansas City Royals — Before Wednesday’s game, Ned Yost mentioned that Kelvin Herrera had been ill, with a 102-degree fever and a sore throat. Yost called on Herrera anyway, only to see the closer give up the go-ahead home run, then leave the game with a trainer. After the game, Yost announced…

  • Jim Johnson adds a seventh blown save to his league-leading total

    July 8, 2017 Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino’s injury came at a bad time for the Braves. In danger of completely falling out of contention, the team has no obvious backup plan to replace Jim Johnson and his league-leading seven blown saves, and it faces decreasing returns if it seeks to move the veteran before the…