Closer Monkey

Category: Philadelphia Phillies

  • Steve Cishek, Chris Devenski nab vulture saves

    June 23, 2017 Seattle Mariners — As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Edwin Diaz was unavailable Thursday after pitching four straight days. With Nick Vincent also busy lately, the M’s turned to old friend Steve Cishek, who pitched a clean ninth for his first save. He may be a safe bet for late-inning appearances moving forward,…

  • All of a sudden, we have a committee in Cleveland

    June 19, 2017 Cleveland Indians – After Andrew Miller got the save in yesterday afternoon’s 5-2 victory, Terry Francona said that Allen and Miller would be temporarily trading roles. Apparently, this was Allen’s idea, and Francona was on board because, as the league’s thought leader in progressive bullpen usage, he’s fully aware that Miller usually…

  • K-Rod complains about role, gets high-leverage chance, blows it

    June 16, 2017 Detroit Tigers – This week, manager Brad Ausmus declared he would try former closer Francisco Rodriguez in high-leverage situations again after he complained a bunch. Ausmus wasn’t lying, as it was 3-2 in the eighth inning when K-Rod came trotting out to the hill. He picked up another blown save (his sixth)…

  • Matt Albers blows his first post-Glover chance

    June 13, 2017 Washington Nationals – With Koda Glover sidelined, Matt Albers got the last out of the 8th inning and then stuck around to try and close the door in the 9th. But he walked two of the first three hitters he faced, and then allowed a three-run dinger to Tyler Flowers. After the…

  • Could Juan Nicasio be the next Pirates closer?

    June 9, 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates — The Pirates lost 7-1 Thursday, so we got no more clarity on the team’s bullpen situation. Late Wednesday night, manager Clint Hurdle mentioned that he has given some “serious thought” to making Juan Nicasio his closer, essentially calling Felipe Rivero his Andrew Miller for being the team’s relief ace…