Category: Los Angeles Angels
-
Joe Smith tightening his grip on Angels’ closer gig
June 27, 2014 Los Angeles Angels – That Joe Smith is one shrewd sidearmer. After inheriting three of Ernesto Frieri’s baserunners with two out in a 5-run 9th inning last night, Smith cleverly allowed a double to the first hitter he faced, plating all three runs and raising Frieri’s ERA to 6.39. Then he looked…
-
Kevin Gregg? Kevin Gregg. And Twitter hates Brian Wilson’s beard
June 26, 2014 Miami Marlins — We can’t hide from this anymore. Kevin Gregg, fresh from coaching Little League, is relevant again in Miami. Wednesday night, he pitched a perfect eighth in a one-run game, an enormous, bespectacled bridge to Steve Cishek. His vast (if checkered) closing experience, combined with Mike Redmond’s obvious willingness to use him in big spots, will…
-
Joe Smith to close for Angels
June 25, 2014 Los Angeles Angels — In the aftermath of Tuesday night’s game, Mike Scioscia reversed course and announced that Joe Smith will be his primary closer going forward. He did add that Frieri would still get some high-leverage innings. Updated hierarchy: Smith | Jepsen | Frieri.
-
Ronald Belisario gets vote of confidence; Angels going full-on committee
June 25, 2014 Chicago White Sox — Robin Ventura announced on Tuesday that he was sticking with Ronald Belisario as the White Sox closer despite his troubles — which include 11 earned runs over 11 IP in his 13 appearances in the role. Although Belisario’s peripherals strongly suggest that he’s pitched better than his stats, general manager Rick Hahn made a point…
-
Ernesto Frieri, Jason Grilli on verge of losing their jobs
June 20, 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli blew his fourth save of the season on Thursday. Four blown saves — and an accompanying 4.34 ERA — isn’t exactly horrendous, but it’s obviously not what you want to see out of your closer, especially when your bullpen has been stellar otherwise. So after the game,…