Closer Monkey

Category: Pittsburgh Pirates

  • Tony Watson loses closer job; Felipe Rivero and Juan Nicasio to share the ninth

    June 9, 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates — Clint Hurdle has finally made the long-expected move, demoting Tony Watson from the closer role in favor of a combination of Felipe Rivero and Juan Nicasio. Rivero has (slightly) better numbers, but if Hurdle decides that he’s more comfortable leaving Rivero in his eighth-inning role, Nicasio may get a…

  • 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…

  • Déjà vu for Tony Watson in Pittsburgh as Felipe Rivero awaits

    June 8, 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates — For the second straight night, Tony Watson gave up a tying two-run dinger, completing a four-run Baltimore comeback in the ninth. About an hour later, everyone on Twitter made the same obvious joke. Felipe Rivero remained unhittable in his inning of relief, leading Pirates fans and bullpen speculators to wonder what it will take for…

  • Tony Watson’s days as Pirates closer may be numbered

    June 7, 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Watson gave up a two-run homer in Tuesday’s ninth inning to send the game to extra innings, a game the Pirates eventually lost. His fourth blown save of the year came after Felipe Rivero struck out two and lowered his ERA to 0.60. Clint Hurdle was noncommittal after the game but did note…

  • Felipe Rivero breathing down Tony Watson’s neck

    May 30, 2017 New York Mets – Up by 2 runs in the 8th, the Mets summoned Paul Sewald to bridge the gap to Addison Reed, and Sewald responded with a perfect inning that included two strikeouts. Terry Collins had Jerry Blevins and Fernando Salas warming in case Sewald (20.1 IP, 24 Ks/4 BBs, 2.21…