Closer Monkey

Category: Chicago Cubs

  • Goodbye Tyler Wells, though we never knew you at all

    July 24, 2021 Baltimore Orioles — Baltimore had an intriguing late-innings option emerging in Tyler Wells, so naturally, he was placed on the injured list, retroactive to Tuesday, with tendinitis in his wrist. Brandon Hyde expects Wells to return after the minimum 10-day stay, but for now, the Orioles are back to a bullpen gallimaufry…

  • Kenley Jansen suffers third straight blown save to start second half

    July 23, 2021 Los Angeles Dodgers – Yikes. After another blown save Thursday, Kenley Jansen has now allowed seven earned runs since Wednesday (!) and eight overall this week after giving up just five all season. Thursday’s loss wasn’t all his fault, though. The Giants’ Jason Vosler was originally ruled out at second for the…

  • It’s always an adventure in Philadelphia’s bullpen

    June 30, 2021 Philadelphia Phillies — José Alvarado finally got a save in the post-Neris-but-still-sometimes-Neris era, though it certainly wasn’t pretty. He inherited two runners with two outs in the eighth and the Phillies ahead by four. After a walk and a wild pitch, Alvarado was able to escape with a three-run lead, but he…

  • There were vulture saves aplenty on Thursday

    May 28, 2021 Cincinnati Reds — The Vulture Save watch had a couple of gems yesterday, and it started with the Reds, who played a game and a half. With a three-run lead in their second game of the day, they gave the ball to Lucas Sims, who pitched a perfect seventh inning to earn…

  • Paul Fry in line for more save chances in Baltimore

    May 26, 2021 Baltimore Orioles – Cesar Valdez got roughed up on Monday, giving up three runs to blow the save. Valdez’s ERA has grown from 1.23 to 3.93 over his last five outings. Brandon Hyde said on Tuesday that his closer choice will be a “mixed bag,” but it sounds like Paul Fry will…