Closer Monkey

Tag: Shawn Kelley

  • 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…

  • Jeanmar Gomez and the Phillies’ ninth are going to see other people

    September 24, 2016 Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies made the confusing announcement that although Jeanmar Gomez will be the closer for the rest of the season, he will get a “break” for the next few save chances — in favor of Hector Neris, Edubray Ramos, or even lefthander Joely Rodriguez. For now, we’ll call this a committee with Gomez as the…

  • Hunter Strickland could stabilize volatile Giants bullpen

    September 12, 2016 Miami Marlins – It was only a one-out save, but A.J. Ramos showed he was up to the task despite his troublesome finger. He remains the most likely choice for saves for the Marlins down the stretch. Hierarchy remains: *Ramos | Rodney | Barraclough. * = closer-by-committee San Francisco Giants – The…

  • 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…

  • Nate Jones leads the league in blown saves

    August 30, 2016 St. Louis Cardinals — Alex Reyes’s return to the rotation over the weekend has left a hole in the seventh inning for the Cardinals. Matt Bowman has been filling in there, but when he and Kevin Siegrist gave up a combined four runs last night, it was the recently promoted Miguel Socolovich who stopped…