I thought that maybe Meek and Hanrahan would compete for it but I guess Hurdle couldn't say no to Joel's 12.9 K/9. The Pirates bullpen won't be half bad with Meek, Beimel, Veras and some of the young guns setting up Hanrahan.Pirates manager Clint Hurdle announced Wednesday that Joel Hanrahan will open the season as the team's closer.
As expected. Evan Meek had the lower ERA than Hanrahan last season, but unlike Hanrahan, he doesn't have closing experience or the ability to miss bats with regularity. Hanrahan struck out 100 batters over 69 2/3 innings last season.