Closer Monkey

Tag: Joe Smith

  • Yimi Garcia and A.J. Ramos excelling; complications for Bobby Parnell

    April 25, 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers — With 16 strikeouts in nine appearances, rookie Yimi Garcia has been the best pitcher in the Dodgers’ bullpen this season. On Friday night, he finally got a shot at closing — and he mowed down the Padres with two strikeouts and a foul pop. Don Mattingly isn’t ready to abandon the committee system, but Garcia will surely…

  • 2015 AL West preview

    March 6, 2015 Houston Astros — Houston bolstered its bullpen again this offseason, bringing in ex-A Luke Gregerson (3 years, $18.5 million) and dubious All-Star Pat Neshek (2 years, $12.5 million) to challenge incumbent Chad Qualls, the oldest player in Astros camp, for the closer role. We think Gregerson has the edge over Qualls, Neshek, and Josh…

  • Jonathan Papelbon returns from suspension

    September 24, 2014 Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon returned from his seven-game suspension on Tuesday. According to Ryne Sandberg, Papelbon will immediately return to the closer role, which should make for riveting television when the last-place Phillies close their season at home this weekend. Updated hierarchy: Papelbon | Giles | Diekman. Chicago White Sox — Jake Petricka gave back a game to…

  • Rafael Soriano and Tony Watson pick up saves

    September 22, 2014 Washington Nationals – With their focus on the postseason, the Nationals left Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard — both of whom had pitched in back to back games — in the bullpen on Sunday and handed the save chance to embattled former closer Rafael Soriano. Soriano converted, but didn’t do much to…

  • Street, Perkins, Qualls all dealing with minor injuries

    September 10, 2014 Houston Astros — Interim manager Tom Lawless chose Josh Fields to close out the Seattle Mariners; after the game, we learned that Chad Qualls was day-to-day with a minor injury. Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Fields. Minnesota Twins — With Glen Perkins still battling tingling in his shoulder and neck, Jared Burton earned Tuesday night’s save. Perkins hopes…