Closer Monkey

Tag: Grant Balfour

  • Sean Doolittle picks up save, Jason Grilli struggling

    September 14, 2013 Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook came on with 2 outs in the 8th inning last night and proceeded to give up a walk and two hits while recording no outs.  Sean Doolittle got the last out of the 8th and stayed on for the 9th to pick up his 2nd save of…

  • Axford and Henderson “co-closers” in Milwaukee as K-Rod heads to Baltimore

    July 24, 2013 Milwaukee Brewers — As we feared, now that K-Rod is gone, Ron Roenicke told reporters before Tuesday’s game that Jim Henderson and John Axford will likely “flip-flop” future save opportunities. What can we say? The man loves him some drama. Note that Henderson pitched the ninth on Tuesday with the team down by four. Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to…

  • Trade Deadline Buy/Sell Report: American League Closers

    July 17, 2013 SPECIAL UPDATE: TRADE DEADLINE BUY/SELL REPORT (PART ONE OF TWO) Glossary BUY+: This player has a large chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline. BUY: This player has a small chance of becoming a closer by the trade deadline. SELL: This player has a small chance of losing his closer job by the…

  • 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…

  • Joel Hanrahan returns from the DL, but Andrew Bailey keeps his job

    May 1, 2013 Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s return from the DL today came with a clear statement of boundaries from manager John Ferrell: Andrew Bailey will remain the team’s closer for the foreseeable future. Although Hanrahan might pitch some lower-leverage innings to begin with, he will be certainly be the choice in the 9th if the…