Closer Monkey

Tag: Chad Green

  • Not all vulture saves are created equal

    July 24, 2019 Boston Red Sox — Alex Cora tasked Brandon Workman to get a six-out save with the Sox leading the Rays, 5-2, on Tuesday. Workman breezed through the eighth inning on 12 pitches and got two outs in the ninth, but he ran into trouble and eventually exited the game with the bases…

  • If Brad Ziegler keeps his job, you’ll know Jeter is tanking

    May 31, 2018 Miami Marlins — So much for the narrative that Brad Ziegler is lights-out in save situations. Given a one-run lead in the ninth, Ziegler gave up a walk and a double, loaded the bases with an intentional walk, and then saw the Padres walk off on an infield single and a throwing…

  • Uneasy times for owners of Greg Holland and Ken Giles

    April 14, 2018 St. Louis Cardinals — In a clear save opportunity, the Cardinals opted to go with Bud Norris over $14 million man Greg Holland. Norris put the tying runs on base, but managed to escape unscathed. Even as Norris was struggling, Holland wasn’t warming up, although Mike Matheny likes whoever is closing to feel…

  • The Nationals are ever more desperate for a closer

    July 15, 2017 Washington Nationals — When Matt Albers loaded the bases in the ninth inning with a five-run lead, it gave Matt Grace a chance to earn his first career save. Albers’s struggles highlight Washington’s continuing weakness in the bullpen, which we expect to be addressed through trade in the next two weeks. K-Rod,…

  • Cody Allen going on paternity leave; look out for Phil Maton in San Diego

    June 22, 2017 Cleveland Indians — The vaunted Allen-for-Miller role swap is on hold, it seems. When Carlos Carrasco loaded the bases up three in the seventh, Terry Francona went right back to his 6’7″ security blanket, who pulled a Houdini, then pitched a scoreless eighth for good measure. After Bryan Shaw earned the eventual one-out…