Closer Monkey

Tag: neftali feliz

  • 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…

  • 2018 NL West Preview

    February 28, 2018 Arizona Diamondbacks – Fernando Rodney somehow recorded 39 saves for the Diamondbacks last year, but he’ll be shooting arrows in Minnesota this year. That leaves the ninth inning in limbo, with three arms in line for the closer’s role. Archie Bradley was the team’s best reliever last season, but Arizona may want the flexibility to…

  • K-Rod complains about role, gets high-leverage chance, blows it

    June 16, 2017 Detroit Tigers – This week, manager Brad Ausmus declared he would try former closer Francisco Rodriguez in high-leverage situations again after he complained a bunch. Ausmus wasn’t lying, as it was 3-2 in the eighth inning when K-Rod came trotting out to the hill. He picked up another blown save (his sixth)…

  • Koji Uehara vultures a save; Koda Glover gets bombed

    June 5, 2017 Chicago Cubs – After pitching Friday and Saturday, Wade Davis got the night off on Sunday. What was a bit surprising was that CJ Edwards stayed in his usual 8th inning slot, while Koji Uehara stepped in to fill the 9th. Uehara, of course, has the edge in terms of experience, but…

  • Corey Knebel might be stuck in a committee in Milwaukee

    May 13, 2017 Milwaukee Brewers — When managers begin to use their relievers more optimally, their teams improve, but the result can be fantasy chaos. The latest example could be Craig Counsell’s Brewers, who demoted disappointing offseason acquisition Neftali Feliz from the closer role, but want to retain the flexibility to use the impressive Corey Knebel when…