Closer Monkey

Closer Monkey | 2026

  • Anthony Bender making his mark in Miami

    July 6, 2021 Miami Marlins – For the last two years, Anthony Bender pitched in the independent leagues, but he’s now in the bigs and his slider is living up to his name. With Yimi Garcia — and several other of their top relievers — unavailable on Monday, Bender picked up his first career save.…

  • Yankees to “talk through” late game approach after Chapman struggles again

    July 5, 2021 New York Yankees – Aroldis Chapman had another ugly outing, consisting of a leadoff homer to tie the game, followed by a walk and a hit batsman, both of whom eventually scored. But it wasn’t just that he was bad again. It was that the two relievers who are ostensibly competing with…

  • Ranger Suarez could be the new closer for the Phillies

    July 4, 2021 Philadelphia Phillies — With the Phillies up two runs heading into the 9th inning, manager Joe Girardi called on Ranger Suarez to try and close out the game.  Suarez responded with a clean inning to earn his first career save.  Girardi said that Jose Alvarado was available but he went with Suarez…

  • Scott Barlow is moving up in the Kansas City bullpen

    July 3, 2021 Kansas City Royals — The Royals snapped a nine-game losing streak last night, and they used Greg Holland in the eighth and Scott Barlow in the ninth. With so many recent losses, there haven’t been many chances to shake out the committee pecking order. Holland was getting (and blowing) the bulk of…

  • Paul Sewald, Joakim Soria pick up their first saves of the season

    July 2, 2021 Seattle Mariners — Paul Sewald recorded the final four outs Thursday for the surging Seattle Mariners (22-13 in their last 35 games) to earn his first save. Kendall Graveman did not pitch, and there was no indication postgame that Sewald is now “the guy.” But a look at the numbers shows just…

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