Closer Monkey

Category: Tampa Bay Rays

  • Brandon League with yet another blown save; Kenley Jansen awaits

    June 11, 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers — After an effective eighth from Kenley Jansen, Brandon League was a comprehensive disaster, allowing four runs to earn the Dodgers their league-leading 13th blown save of the year. League has a 6.00 ERA and four blown saves; Jansen has 44 strikeouts in 32 innings and a WHIP of 1.00. Don Mattingly…

  • Steve Delabar could be closing soon for the Blue Jays

    May 29, 2013 Toronto Blue Jays — With Darren Oliver on the disabled list with a strained shoulder, Steve Delabar has ascended to the setup role in the threadbare Jays bullpen. Right behind him is an equally overworked Brett Cecil, who has struck out eight of the last fourteen batters he’s faced. As Casey Janssen was held out of…

  • Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Gonzalez inch to the lead in the Milwaukee save race

    May 26, 2013 Milwaukee Brewers – Ron Roenicke said he is unlikely to name any single closer, but some of his afternoon comments after the Brewers officially put Jim Henderson on the DL, combined with the way he used the bullpen in a losing effort on Saturday, gave some clarity as to who might be the…

  • Rafael Betancourt out with a tight groin; Brothers and Lopez await

    May 22, 2013 Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt left Tuesday night’s game with what the team immediately described as a “tight right groin” — no real surprise given its recent workload. Betancourt was initially listed as day-to-day, but if Wednesday’s MRI leads to a DL stint, it’s likely that Rex Brothers will take over the closer role. Wilton Lopez is another option if…

  • Brandon Lyon re-establishing himself; Fernando Rodney struggling

    May 17, 2013 Detroit Tigers – After taking the loss on Wednesday, Al Alburquerque was sent to the minors to work on his control.  With 26 Ks in 14.1 innings, Alburquerque has electric stuff, but he’d walked 13 batters and thrown six wild pitches, good to lead the majors (which is hard to do as…