Category: hierarchy change
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Grant Balfour, of course, with a seven-out save
June 12, 2014 Tampa Bay Rays — Huh. In a one-run game, Joe Maddon summoned Juan Carlos Oviedo in the sixth, watched him get one out and hit a batter in the seventh, brought in Cesar Ramos as a LOOGY, and then let deposed closer Grant Balfour finish the inning. When the Rays scored two in the bottom of…
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Juan Carlos Oviedo might be next in line for Tampa
June 11, 2014 Tampa Bay Rays — It’s fun to talk about, but until the team finally wins a game, the Tampa closer committee will remain a matter for philosophers, theologians, and Seminole medicine men. Juan Carlos Oviedo might get the first shot at breaking the curse tomorrow, since Joel Peralta was used Tuesday in a high-leverage spot in…
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Zach Putnam, Shae Simmons ascend to 8th inning roles
June 10, 2014 Chicago White Sox – Zach Putnam got the final two outs of the 8th inning on Monday, marking the fourth straight time that he’d bridged the gap to Ronald Belisario. The 26-year-old righty doesn’t have the best ratios in the world (19 Ks vs 9 BBs in 24.1 innings), but he keeps…
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Grant Balfour on the verge of losing closer gig
June 9, 2014 Tampa Bay Rays – Grant Balfour gave up five more runs on Sunday and now has a 6.46 ERA. Joe Maddon wouldn’t say if Balfour had finally lost the job that he should’ve lost a long time ago, but it seems silly to keep running him out there. Until we see evidence…
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Nathan continues to struggle, Hunter working his way back
June 8, 2014 Detroit Tigers — Joe Nathan continues to struggle as he gave up two runs last night in a non-save opportunity. After the game manager Brad Ausmus reiterated that they need Nathan to be their closer. However, Joba Chamberlain has not given up a run in his past 12 appearances and it’s possible that the…