Monkey Bytes, April 20: Megill tries for a two-inning save, Hader struggles but hangs on, Game Recaps, and more

Friday’s slate featured another postponement and only four saves among the 14 games played. Colorado and Seattle will play a doubleheader on Sunday, a less-than-ideal getaway day for the Mariners bullpen. Because of the limited amount of saves, they will take precedence in today’s Monkey Bytes with a bevy of quick hit recaps in the remaining games from last night.

Milwaukee Brewers – Notching his first major league save, Hoby Milner worked a scoreless bottom of the tenth, issuing an intentional walk (Willson Contreras) and recording two strikeouts. Joel Payamps collected his first win and suffered his second blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score on a hit batter and a walk in the bottom of the ninth. He was not fully warmed up and pressed into action early, which affected his command. Trevor Megill was credited with his second hold, logging 1.2 innings, giving up a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out one. He was one out away from his first career save. Elvis Peguero fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his second hold.

There were so many talking points about this usage pattern. Beginning with Megill attempting a two-inning save, a center-cut fastball against Alec Burleson knocked him from the game with his pitch count reaching 30 and runners on the corners. However, he’s firmly in the mix for save chances moving forward for a team working without a closer. Payamps outing cannot be fully placed on the reliever, he started warming up during the Burleson at-bat and entered the game abruptly, working with limited command of his secondary pitches. Pat Murphy played the match-ups game in the tenth, opting for Milner against Lars Nootbar leading off the inning, and with Nolan Gorman lurking behind Willson Contreras, who was rightfully issued an intentional walk with two outs.

Many will wonder why Abner Uribe was not used with a one-run lead, but he’s allowed 11 hits, four earned runs, and three walks over his last six outings, spanning 5.2 innings (2.46 WHIP). Roles may remain in flux moving forward, and there’s no clear-cut closer at the moment.

Updated hierarchy: *Joel Payamps | *Abner Uribe | *Trevor Megill

*= closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – Taking over in the top of the tenth, Ryan Helsley suffered his second loss, allowing a go-ahead, two-out RBI single by William Contreras, providing the difference in the contest. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) without recording a whiff. He owns a 0.91 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus one walk through his first 11 innings. Ryan Fernandez logged 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two. Matthew Liberatore tossed a scoreless combined inning, walking one and striking out two. Giovanny Gallegos gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts over two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.

Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero

Houston Astros – Hanging on for his second save, Josh Hader labored through the ninth, giving up a lead-off triple by CJ Abrams, a sacrifice fly, an infield single, and a walk before inducing consecutive, game-ending strikeouts. He threw 30 pitches (19 strikes – 63.3 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He owns a 1.66 WHIP with 16 strikeouts versus five walks through his first 9.2 innings. Ryan Pressly notched his third hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Bryan Abreu worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one for his second hold.

As for Hader, whether he’s pressing, or just going through some bad luck, he’s recorded a 2.47 SIERA versus his current 8.38 ERA. He owns a 25.6 K-BB percentage through his first 9.2 innings and his .476 batting average on balls in play (BAbip) sits over two hundred points above his career rate (.255) in the category. Better days lie ahead, remain patient.

Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu

Detroit Tigers – Securing his sixth save, Jason Foley worked around a two-out walk of Willi Castro with a game-ending flyout, preserving a one-run win over the Twins. He threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%), induced two whiffs, and recorded one strikeout in his outing. He owns a 1.14 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus five walks over nine innings. Andrew Chafin collected his second win, retiring all four batters faced, and stranding a runner in the bottom of the seventh.

Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin

New York Yankees – Navigating around consecutive singles during the top of the ninth, Clay Holmes induced a fly-out by Randy Arozarena, followed by a game-ending double play lineout by Richie Palacios, securing his MLB-leading eighth save. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s converted eight of nine save chances while posting a 1.20 WHIP with six strikeouts versus one walk through 10 innings. Ian Hamilton gave up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk in the eighth, creating the save opportunity. Dennis Santana collected his first win, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out one.

Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Victor González

Quick Hits from April 19

Chicago Cubs – Taking over in the sixth, Keegan Thompson worked two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out four. He threw 36 pitches (22 strikes – 61 Strike%) and induced eight whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.33 WHIP over six innings with nine strikeouts versus two walks in three appearances this season.

Hierarchy remains: Adbert Alzolay | Hector Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. 

Cincinnati Reds – With a one-run lead and two runners on, Fernando Cruz took over in the top of the seventh, retiring both batters via strikeout, including his first this year on a pitch other than his split-fingered fastball. He secured his fourth hold throwing 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 0.75 WHIP with 17 strikeouts through his first eight innings. Lucas Sims tossed a scoreless eighth, walking one for his fourth hold.

Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz / Lucas Sims

Kansas City Royals – Taking over in the sixth, John Schreiber stranded a runner while retiring his only batter faced, securing his fourth hold. Will Smith took over in the seventh, allowing four hits, including a grand slam by Adley Rutschman, and striking out one, drifting further from leverage relevance.

Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton

Los Angeles Dodgers – Representing one of the few weaknesses on this team, the bullpen struggled during this loss against the Mets. Taking over a tied game in the top of the seventh, Daniel Hudson allowed two runs (one earned), on a two-run, go-ahead home run by Francisco Lindor, and recorded two strikeouts, resulting in his first loss. Joe Kelly gave up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in the eighth. Ryan Brasier also allowed a run in the ninth, giving up three hits and striking out one. Combined, they yielded seven hits, five runs (four earned), and a walk with four strikeouts over three innings in this contest.

Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Joe Kelly

Minnesota Twins – Suffering his first loss, Caleb Thielbar allowed two hits, including a go-ahead RBI single by Wenceel Pérez resulting in an earned run, and issued a walk while striking out two in the top of the ninth. Griffin Jax navigated around two hits for a scoreless eighth, recording two strikeouts. He threw 21 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (19 SwStr%). Brock Stewart tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.

Before the game, Jhoan Durán threw a live batting practice session and may begin a rehab assignment soon, with eyes on a return next week.

Hierarchy remains: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | *Steven Okert

* =closer-by-committee

New York Mets – In an unlikely sixth inning, caused by two separate errors by Joey Wendle and a hit batter, Reed Garrett suffered his first blown save, giving up a game-tying two-out, two-RBI single by Chris Taylor, but collected his third win after a rally in the top of the seventh. Brooks Raley recorded his fourth hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh. Adam Ottavino notched his third hold, firing 1.1 clean frames and striking out two. He also stranded a runner in the seventh.

Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Adam Ottavino | Brooks Raley

Philadelphia Phillies – Preserving a combined shutout, Orion Kerkering fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one against the 3-4-5 hitters of the White Sox. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). Matt Strahm worked a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one.

Updated Hierarchy: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Seranthony Domínguez

* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Operating as the “bulk follower”, Bowden Francis collected his second win, tossing two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in San Diego. Tim Mayza turned in a clean seventh, striking out one. Yimi García fired a clean eighth, striking out the side on 19 pitches (68.4 Strike%) and generating three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%) facing the top of the Padres lineup. Jordan Romano closed out the four-run win with a scoreless ninth, giving up a two-out single by Ha-Seong Kim before a game-ending strikeout. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).

Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Yimi García | Erik Swanson

Vulture Saves for Saturday, April 20

CHC: If the Cubs can produce a sweep, and the high-leverage triumvirate appears in Game 1, Yency Almonte could be a sneaky play for a vulture save in Game 2. Mark Leiter Jr. could also be a sneaky play for an ancillary save.

HOU: Hader threw 30 pitches during his save on Friday, which places Ryan Pressly potentially in line for a save on Saturday.

Unfortunately, based on recent usage patterns and weather, there are no real vulture save options for Sunday yet, it will all depend on Saturday’s slate. Colorado and Seattle will play a doubleheader on Sunday, which places Ryne Stanek, Gabe Speier, and Tayler Saucedo in contention for a vulture save if searching for a desperation play.

Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day features the first strikeout by Fernando Cruz this season, not by his split-fingered fastball. He quelled a threat in the seventh by dotting this fastball against Zach Neto, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.

Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community, until next time, stay safe and be well.

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Blown-save-a-palooza hits bullpens across baseball

August 14, 2023

New York Yankees – Clay Holmes has been great lately, but yesterday was bad, as he coughed up a 4-run lead and then took the loss after Tommy Kahnle was unable to stem the damage. Holmes was in and out of a committee earlier this season, and we’ll see if this outing changes the way the Yankees approach the 9th inning. Our guess is it won’t… yet. In other news, Michael King is being stretched out to potentially start games, so we’ll swap Wandy Peralta into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Holmes | Kahnle | Peralta.

Oakland A’s – Trevor May had also been going well, having allowed just 1 earned run in his last 10.2 innings. But he coughed up an even bigger lead than Holmes, allowing five baserunners to reach while only recording two outs. Kirby Snead (and the A’s defense) did him no favors, as the Nats plated six runs in the inning to walk it off. May is still likely the closer here but we’ll watch to see if he falters again.

Hierarchy remains: May | Felipe | Long.

Texas Rangers – In the least awful — but perhaps most consequential — blown save of the evening, Will Smith had the Giants down to their final out, but then served up a walkoff 2-run home run to Patrick Bailey. Given how good Aroldis Chapman has been, this could push Bruce Bochy back to a committee. We’ll see how it plays out.

Hierarchy remains: Smith | Chapman | Sborz.

Baltimore Orioles – With Felix Bautista getting the day off, the Orioles still used setup man Yennier Cano in the 8th inning, leaving the 9th to Mike Baumann, who promptly blew the save. Shintaro Fujinami ended up shutting the door in extra innings for his first career save. (By the way, Cedric Mullins was the real story of this game, as he robbed a homer then hit a go-ahead homer minutes later, but we don’t really care about hitters that much.)

Hierarchy remains: Bautista | Cano | Fujinami.

New York Mets – Adam Ottavino pitched a perfect 9th inning, inducing three groundouts, to pick up his 7th save. Brooks Raley had a forgettable outing in the 8th, allowing a home run and a walk before Drew Smith bailed him out. We’ll switch up the committee accordingly, though this is still a fluid situation.

Updated hierarchy: *Ottavino | Raley | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates – Carmen Mlodzinski was placed on the IL over the weekend, so we’ll welcome Angel Perdomo to this hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Bednar | Holderman | Perdomo.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Tommy Kahnle – Clay Holmes has gone two of three, including the aforementioned 23-pitch blown save yesterday.
2. Matt Brash – Andres Munoz has gone back to back.
3. Scott McGough – Same for Paul Sewald and Kevin Ginkel.

Tomorrow
1. Yennier Cano – If Felix Bautista goes today, he’s likely off tomorrow given his recent workload and pattern of usage.
2. Reynaldo Lopez – If Carlos Estevez goes today, it’s back to back.
3. Tyler Rogers – Same for Camilo Doval.
4. Aroldis Chapman/Josh Sborz – If Will Smith or Aroldis Chapman go today, it’s back to back and three of four.
5. Colin Holderman/Angel Perdomo – The whole Pirates hierarchy — plus a few others — pitched yesterday so monitor usage today for a potential vulture tomorrow.

Jordan Luplow is funny

August 12, 2023

Boston Red Sox – We took a shot in the dark yesterday in predicting that Kyle Barraclough would get a vulture save, and while that didn’t happen, Barraclough did get a win, posting 1.1 scoreless innings. The save went to Chris Murphy, who pitched three scoreless to finish off the 5-2 victory.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski.

Milwaukee Brewers – Abner Uribe picked up a save in the 10th inning after the rest of the Milwaukee hierarchy had pitched, stranding the automatic runner with a flyout and two groundouts. The 23-year-old righty has only allowed two earned runs in his first 13.1 big league innings, and could push for setup opportunities soon.

Hierarchy remains: Williams | Payamps | Peguero.

Minnesota Twins – Outfielder Jordan Luplow, who pitched the 8th inning for the Twins in a blowout loss, was heartily booed when doing his best Craig Kimbrel impression on the Citizens Bank Ballpark mound. We found it amusing, though, and so did Kimbrel. Keep being you, Jordan.

Hierarchy remains: Duran | Jax | Pagan.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jason Adam – Pete Fairbanks threw 30 pitches in a blown save last night.
2. AJ Minter – The Braves have a doubleheader…
3. Adam Ottavino – …against the Mets.

Tomorrow
1. Joel Payamps – If Devin Williams goes today, it’s back to back and four of five.
2. Aaron Bummer – If Gregory Santos goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
3. Tommy Kahnle – If Clay Holmes goes today, it’s back to back.
4. Austin Cox – Same for Carlos Hernandez…
5. Aroldis Chapman – …and Will Smith…
6. Mark Leiter Jr. – …and Adbert Alzolay.

Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley worth adding after David Robertson trade

July 28, 2023

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels swept their doubleheader on Thursday and are now just 3 games out of a Wild Card spot. Unfortunately, we won’t see fireballer Ben Joyce rejoin them for at least a few more weeks, as the righty was moved to the 60-day IL to make room for a few of their deadline acquisitions.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Moore | Soriano.

New York Mets – The Mets began waving the white flag after Thursday’s win, trading closer David Robertson to the Marlins. Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley, the latter of whom earned the save on Thursday, are now the best bets for saves for the Mets.

Updated hierarchy: *Ottavino | Raley | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – David Robertson should slot in as Miami’s closer after the Marlins acquired him from the Mets. A.J. Puk, who had been struggling lately and blew a save in his last appearance on Sunday, will be expected to join Tanner Scott and newly acquired Jorge Lopez as a setup man.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Puk | Scott.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Colin Holderman – After a 37-pitch outing on Wednesday — and with the Pirates potentially playing it safe with their valuable trade chip — David Bednar might get a second day off today.

Tomorrow
1. Trevor Stephan – If Emmanuel Clase goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Mason Thompson – Same for Kyle Finnegan.
3. Mark Leiter Jr. – If Adbert Alzolay or Mark Leiter Jr. pitch today, it’s three of four.
4. Gregory Soto – If Craig Kimbrel goes today, it’s four of the last six.

Mets trade David Robertson to Marlins

July 28, 2023

New York Mets – The Mets began waving the white flag after Thursday’s win, trading closer David Robertson to the Marlins. Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley, who earned the save on Thursday, will now be the best bets for saves for the Mets.

Updated hierarchy: *Ottavino | Raley | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – David Robertson should slot in as Miami’s closer after the Marlins acquired him from the Mets. A.J. Puk, who had been struggling lately and blew a save in his last appearance on Sunday, will be expected to join Tanner Scott and newly acquired Jorge Lopez as a setup man.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Puk | Scott.