Closer Monkey

Tag: Junichi Tazawa

  • Claudio emerges from Rangers’ committee, Doolittle moves to top for Nationals

    July 23, 2017 Texas Rangers — Keone Kela started the eighth inning last night with the Rangers up one run.  He recorded two outs, but also gave up a hit and a walk, and Alex Claudio came on to finish the inning.  Claudio came back out to pitch a scoreless ninth and pick up his…

  • Not a great first impression from Tyler Clippard

    July 22, 2017 Chicago White Sox —  Tyler Clippard’s first appearance with the White Sox didn’t go as planned. Entering a tie game in the tenth inning, he loaded the bases with no outs, taking the loss on a sacrifice fly. If Clippard isn’t more effective in Chicago than he was in New York, he…

  • 2017 NL East Preview

    March 1, 2017 Atlanta Braves — After a comically horrific start to the 2015 season, Jim Johnson returned to the Braves, where he’s quietly spent the past season and a half regaining his form. His strikeout rate climbed back over the magical one-per-inning mark in 2016, and he ended the year with 20 saves after Arodys…

  • Fernando Salas trade opens Angels’ ninth for Ramirez or Guerra

    September 1, 2016 Los Angeles Angels — With the waiver deadline deal of Fernando Salas to the Mets, we expect a combination of J.C. Ramirez and Deolis Guerra (traded from the Mets eight years ago for Johan Santana) to handle the L.A. closing duties going forward. Whichever guy gets the job full-time will be the Angels’ fifth closer…

  • Papelbon Watch reaches Day Six

    August 19, 2016 Free Agency — There’s still no news on Jonathan Papelbon. The longtime closer has been tied to at least the Red Sox and Cubs, which makes sense given the pitcher’s connection to both clubs. It’s now been more than 24 hours since we were expected to learn his decision, so who knows what’s…