Closer Monkey

Category: Pittsburgh Pirates

  • Gabe Kapler just wants to watch the world burn

    May 17, 2018 Philadelphia Phillies — Gabe Kapler has declared war on your fantasy team and by-the-book bullpen management, treating the ninth inning of a three-run May matinee like the wild card playoff. Tommy Hunter and Luis Garcia split up the eighth, and after Edubray Ramos struck out the first two guys in the ninth…

  • Alex Colome’s shaky stretch continues

    April 11, 2018 Tampa Bay Rays – Alex Colome hasn’t quite been the same closer that recorded 47 saves a year ago. On Tuesday, he allowed a pair of inherited runners to score courtesy of a three-run homer before walking the potential tying run. Colome got out of the jam to earn his second straight…

  • Kenley Jansen’s velocity rebounds, but he still blows the save

    April 3, 2018 Cincinnati Reds – For the second straight day, Wandy Peralta pitched the 8th inning ahead of Raisel Iglesias. Peralta was one of the more reliable relievers in the Cincinnati pen last year, particularly in the first half of the season, and for now, he looks to be among the relievers who will…

  • Bullpen shakeups abound as teams set 25-man rosters

    March 27, 2018 Tampa Bay Rays – Two veteran relievers that appeared to be strong candidates for set-up roles at the start of the spring — Daniel Hudson and Dan Jennings — didn’t even make the roster and will be seeking employment elsewhere. The moves were both a bit surprising — Hudson couldn’t get anyone…

  • 2018 NL Central Preview

    February 28, 2018 Chicago Cubs – For the first time in several years, the Cubs go into the season without a top tier closer to lead the bullpen. Brandon Morrow was confirmed as the closer out of the gate by Theo Epstein, but he has a solid group behind him that could press for saves…