Closer Monkey

Category: Baltimore Orioles

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • With the Nats still shopping, Ryan Madson isn’t closing just yet

    July 18, 2017 Washington Nationals – In case you didn’t see our updated post from yesterday, we jumped the gun a bit on Ryan Madson, though we still think he’s the most likely candidate to grab hold of the 9th inning. However, the Nationals are still apparently looking for additional bullpen help, so Madson’s spot…

  • The Nationals are ever more desperate for a closer

    July 15, 2017 Washington Nationals — When Matt Albers loaded the bases in the ninth inning with a five-run lead, it gave Matt Grace a chance to earn his first career save. Albers’s struggles highlight Washington’s continuing weakness in the bullpen, which we expect to be addressed through trade in the next two weeks. K-Rod,…

  • Trade Deadline Buy/Sell: American League

    July 12, 2017 Special Update (Part 1 of 2 — check back tomorrow for the National League) —– Glossary: BUY+: This player has a strong chance (at least 50%) of becoming a closer by the trade deadline. BUY: This player has a small chance (at least 20%) of becoming a closer by the trade deadline.…