Wrapping up another full-slate Tuesday, only four saves were recorded among the 15 contests but many high-leverage events of interest took place regardless. James McArthur was one pitch from a clean outing and instead, allowed a two-out double by William Contreras, issued a walk, and a go-ahead three-run home run, life can come at you fast. Meanwhile, Kyle Finnegan took over the major league lead in saves, securing his 12th while facing Baltimore.
Trevor Megill has emerged as the Brewers’ preferred save option, he’s recorded four straight games finished and a save in three of his last four appearances. Our hierarchy will reflect this change. These games and more will be covered in today’s Monkey Bytes.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BOS): There will be bumps during a rookie season, and Justin Slaten suffered his first loss during the bottom of the eighth in Atlanta, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
(RP | DET): Preserving a four-run win, Alex Lange tossed a scoreless ninth, working around a walk.
(RP | KCR): For a second straight outing, James McArthur suffered a blown save. He allowed a hit and a walk, before giving up a go-ahead three-run home run by Willy Adames, resulting his second loss.
(RP | LAA): During his first appearance in May, Carlos Estévez fired a clean ninth, preserving a combined shutout during a non-save situation.
(RP | MIN): Suffering his first loss, Jorge Alcala allowed four hits, four earned runs, and walking two with one strikeout during his two innings of relief against Seattle.
Updated hierarchy: *Jhoan Durán (HLR/PSS) | *Griffin Jax | *Caleb Thielbar
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option, but will be used in the highest-leverage moment in games when deemed necessary.
(RP | SEA): After stranding two runners while recording two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Ryne Stanek collected his first win courtesy of his team’s rally in the top of ninth.
National League
(RP | ARI): Making his season debut in a non-save appearance, Paul Sewald closed out a win in Cincinnati. However, he did allow a solo home run by Tyler Stephenson and recorded a strikeout, throwing 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and producing two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
Updated Hierarchy: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson
(RP | ATL): Shutting the door on his ninth save, Raisel Iglesias retired the side and recorded a strikeout while facing the Red Sox.
(RP | CHC): Benefiting from a walk-off home run, Héctor Neris collected his second win after tossing a scoreless top of the ninth, navigating around a hit and a walk.
(RP | MIA): Amid trade rumors, Tanner Scott fired a clean bottom of the eighth during a six-run loss, striking out the side against the Dodgers’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). After early command issues, he owns a 74 strike percentage with seven strikeouts against two walks over his last seven games, spanning 5.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | Andrew Nardi | Anthony Maldonado
(RP | MIL): Completing his team’s comeback, Trevor Megill nailed down his third save, firing a clean bottom of the ninth and striking out one versus Kansas City’s top of the lineup.
(RP | NYM): Hanging on for his first save, Adam Ottavino gave up a solo home run among his two hits, an earned run, and a walk with a strikeout against the Cardinals, preserving a two-run win.
(RP | SDP): Entering a tied game in the bottom of the eighth, Enyel De Los Santos stranded a runner. When he returned for the ninth, he allowed a walk-off, solo home run by Michael Busch, resulting in his second loss.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Enyel De Los Santos
(RP | SFG): Appearing for the first time in four days, Camilo Doval worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth, preserving a combined shutout, issuing two walks, and recording two strikeouts. He threw 23 pitches (56.5 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (26.1 SwStr%). He owns a 1.34 WHIP with 17 strikeouts against eight walks over 12.2 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
(RP | WSH): Taking over the major-league lead in saves, Kyle Finnegan secured his 12th, firing a clean ninth and striking out one against the Orioles.
American League Full Recaps from May 7
Detroit Tigers – Wrapping up a four-run win, Alex Lange tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth despite walking one. He threw 20 pitches (50 Strike%) with two whiffs. This marked his seventh game-finished through 15 appearances. He also extended his scoreless streak to nine games, recording nine strikeouts against three walks with a 0.56 WHIP over nine innings. Andrew Chafin worked a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit. Alex Faedo notched his third hold, logging two clean frames and striking out one. Tyler Holton collected his third win, giving up two hits and striking out three over three scoreless innings.
It feels like Jason Foley sits on the hot seat, but until he’s displaced, leaving the hierarchy unchanged.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
Kansas City Royals – After recording two quick outs, James McArthur allowed a double by William Contreras, issued a walk, and allowed a go-ahead, three-run home run by Willy Adames in the top of the ninth. As a result, he was tagged with his second loss, and third blown save, giving up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk during his outing. He’s suffered a blown save in consecutive appearances. John Schreiber notched his ninth hold, working around two hits and striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy remains (for now): James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
Los Angeles Angels – Making his first appearance since April 30, Carlos Estévez fired a clean bottom of the ninth, preserving a combined shutout in a non-save situation. He threw 14 pitches (64.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He owns a 0.93 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against zero walks through 9.2 innings this season. Luis García retired the side in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | Luis García
Seattle Mariners – Capping his team’s comeback, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean bottom of the ninth, recording one strikeout in a non-save outing. He threw 14 pitches (57.1 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He owns a seven-game scoreless streak with seven strikeouts versus one walk through seven innings. Ryne Stanek collected his first win, stranding a runner and retiring both batters in the eighth, one via strikeout. Tayler Saucedo gave up two hits and an earned run, then left early after a collision at first base, resulting in his first blown save. Tyson Miller was credited with his first hold, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the seventh. Austin Voth fired 1.1 clean frames, stranding two runners.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Gabe Speier
National League Full Recaps from May 7
Atlanta Braves – Handed a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, Raisel Iglesias matched up with the 5-6-7 batters from Boston and secured his ninth save. He threw 14 pitches (50 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He’s produced a 0.98 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against three walks through 14.1 innings. Joe Jiménez collected his first win, walking one and striking out one during a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Joe Jiménez
Chicago Cubs – Auditioning for a future as a traffic controller, Héctor Neris escaped with another scoreless outing, despite giving up a one-out single and a two-out walk, with an inning-ending pop-out. He collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. Since recording his first save, he’s logged eight appearances while posting a 1.50 WHIP with six strikeouts versus five walks over eight innings. Yency Almonte worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Yency Almonte
Milwaukee Brewers – Things escalated quickly in the top of the ninth with the Brewers taking a one-run lead on a three-run home run. Trevor Megill converted his third save, firing a clean ninth and striking out one. He threw eight pitches (all strikes) and generated three whiffs (37.5 SwStr%) against the Royals’ top of the order. He’s been scoreless in five straight outings with four strikeouts versus zero walks. Jared Koenig garnered his third win, logging 1.1 scoreless innings and allowing two hits. This represents Megill’s fourth consecutive game-finished and his third save converted in as many chances.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
New York Mets – Even though he allowed a solo home run (Lars Nootbar) with one out in the bottom of the ninth, Adam Ottavino recorded his first save, preserving a two-run win in St. Louis. He gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one, throwing 24 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with one whiff. Reed Garrett secured his third hold, yielding a hit and striking out two during a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Adam Ottavino | Reed Garrett
Washington Nationals – Locking down his MLB-leading 12th save, Kyle Finnegan retired the side while facing the 2-3-4 hitters of Baltimore, preserving a combined shutout. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced one whiff with one strikeout in his outing. He’s converted eight straight saves and owns a 10-game scoreless streak, posting 10 strikeouts versus two walks over 10 innings. Hunter Harvey tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one for his 12th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, May 8
KCR: McArthur and Schreiber have pitched in two of the last three, which may create an ancillary save chance for Chris Stratton, though Nick Anderson has pitched better than him in recent outings, he could be sneaky on this slate.
TEX: If Kirby Yates and David Robertson work in tandem during Game 1, José Leclerc could be in play for the save chance if they can sweep the A’s.
Vulture Save Options for Thursday, May 9
*This will only be a seven-game slate
ARI: If Sewald pitches on Wednesday, Kevin Ginkel would be in line for the save chance on Thursday.
MIL: Megill notched the save on Tuesday, and if he pitches on Wednesday, Joel Payamps would be the ancillary save choice on this slate.
SFG: Doval pitched on Tuesday, and he works again on Wednesday, it would be Ryan Walker (if he does not pitch today) or Tyler Rogers for the save on Thursday, though Doval’s appeared in three straight once already this year.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day was this fastball by Trevor Megill, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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