Closer Monkey

Tag: Zach Duke

  • Mark Melancon about to return for the Giants, but will his elbow hold up?

    August 12, 2017 San Francisco Giants – Mark Melancon should be activated from the DL on Saturday, but Bruce Bochy doesn’t sound terribly confident in his abilities yet, calling him merely “pitchable.” Although Bochy stresses that Melancon will close again soon, for now the $62 million man will start in lower-leverage roles. We want to be sure…

  • Matt Belisle with another scoreless ninth; watch for the return of Glen Perkins

    August 10, 2017 Minnesota Twins — Yeah, Matt Belisle struck out the side for his third scoreless ninth in four days, and his sixteenth straight appearance without an earned run. Sure looks like the closer to us. Glen Perkins should be back next week, but probably won’t challenge for the job right away. Updated hierarchy:…

  • Luke Gregerson pitching again in Houston

    August 31, 2016 Houston Astros — Luke Gregerson is back and got the call in the eighth inning in his second appearance following an extended absence. Gregerson allowed a solo home run, but otherwise protected what became a two-run lead. With Will Harris having pitched the seventh, it appears as if Gregerson is once again the eighth-inning…

  • New closers abound as trade deadline looms

    August 1, 2016 Milwaukee Brewers – For the second straight night, Will Smith got the 8th inning ahead of Jeremy Jeffress. Smith and Tyler Thornburg have been flipping back and forth depending on matchups, so if Jeffress is dealt today, a committee is the most likely outcome. If the Brewers want to pick just one man…

  • Aroldis Chapman to Cubs deal appears imminent

    July 25, 2016 Chicago Cubs – It’s been widely reported that Aroldis Chapman is likely on his way to the Cubs in exchange for megaprospect Gleyber Torres, though the two clubs are still working out details and the deal hasn’t been finalized yet. Chapman is one of only a handful of relievers in the league that…