Closer Monkey

Category: Washington Nationals

  • 2019 NL East Preview

    February 21, 2019 Atlanta Braves – The Braves enter 2019 looking to defend their NL East title, and will hope that their largely-unheralded-but-mostly-effective bullpen can repeat its output from a year ago. They’re strong at the top, with Arodys Vizcaino and A.J. Minter as an enviable 1-2 punch in the late innings, with Minter wanting…

  • Yoshihisa Hirano impresses en route to his first MLB save

    September 12, 2018 Arizona Diamondbacks — Heading into Tuesday’s game, we liked Jake Diekman to see the first post-Boxberger save chance, and sure enough Diekman was first out of the ‘pen for the final inning. However, he allowed a double and a bunt single to the only two batters (both lefties) he faced before Yoshihisa…

  • Dellin Betances records another save while Cody Allen is coming around

    September 9, 2018 New York Yankees – The Yankees went with Zach Britton in the 7th, David Robertson in the 8th, and Dellin Betances in the 9th to close out a tight game yesterday.  Britton and Robertson each threw perfect innings, with Robertson striking out the side.  Betances also struck out the side but he…

  • Tommy Hunter, Ty Buttrey record saves

    September 8, 2018 Washington Nationals — Although their game was rained out yesterday, the Nationals did activate Sean Doolittle from the DL. He hasn’t pitched since July 6, so he may not resume closing immediately, but we expect him to be back in that role sooner rather than later since the Nationals’ committee has been shaky…

  • Chavez, Brach pick up extra-inning vulture saves

    September 7, 2018 Chicago Cubs — The Cubs used their late-inning hierarchy earlier in Thursday’s game, so for an extra-inning save, Joe Maddon successfully turned to Jesse Chavez. Meanwhile, injured closer Brandon Morrow is expected to throw from a mound on Sunday for the first time in three weeks — a true test to see if…