Size does not always matter, as illustrated by Thursday’s eight-game slate, which yielded plenty of high-leverage events of interest. There were five saves, a walk-off walk in Oakland, and an extra-inning contest in Cincinnati. All are covered in our condensed and full-game recaps.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): With two runners on and one out in the ninth, Craig Kimbrel took over. He converted his 10th save, inducing an infield flyball and a rare instance of interference on the catch, ending the contest. He technically received credit for a two-out save on two pitches.
(RP | NYY): Taking over in the eighth, Clay Holmes stranded both inherited runners and earned his 14th save. He tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out two.
(RP | OAK): Benefiting from a walk-off walk in the bottom of the 11th, Brandon Bielak collected his first win despite allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning.
National League
(RP | ATL): Locking down his 12th save, Raisel Iglesias retired the side in Chicago and recorded two strikeouts, finishing a combined shutout.
(RP | CIN): Tasked with a tied game in the top of the tenth, Sam Moll suffered his first loss, giving up two hits, two runs (one earned), and an intentional walk (Jurickson Profar) over his two-thirds of an inning.
(RP | COL): In an eventual loss in the 11th inning, Jalen Beeks suffered his third blown save, giving up a game-tying lead-off, solo home run by Daz Cameron in the bottom of the ninth.
(RP | PHI): Benefiting from the leverage match-ups, Jeff Hoffman locked down his fourth save, retiring the side in the top of the ninth, and recording one strikeout against the Rangers.
(RP | PIT): During two-thirds combined innings, Hunter Stratton struggled in the eighth, allowing five hits and five earned runs, resulting in his first loss and his second blown save.
(RP | SDP): Entering in the bottom of the tenth with a one-run lead, Robert Suarez secured his 14th save, issuing a walk and striking out one in a scoreless outing against the Reds.
(RP | SFG): Appearing for a third straight day, Tyler Rogers worked around a hitter reaching on an error and a hit for a scoreless ninth, preserving a one-run lead and securing his first save of the season.
Vulture Save Options for May 24, 2024
- Wandy Peralta (SDP): Could he record a vulture save against his former employer? Suarez has pitched in two straight, and Estrada worked two innings on Thursday, placing Peralta on the radar for the save chance this evening.
- Lucas Erceg (OAK): Miller’s rare rough outing required 26 pitches, so he will get one or two days off. This puts Erceg in line for the save chance on Friday against Houston.
- Nick Mears (COL): The Rockies bullpen has struggled and been overworked for those seeking a long shot, which may yield a save opportunity for Mears on Friday. Not for the risk-averse.
Vulture Save Options for May 25, 2024
- A.J. Minter (ATL): If Iglesias pitches again on Friday, it will mark consecutive days, and Minter is the preferred save option when he’s unavailable.
- Colin Holderman (PIT): Another overworked leverage ladder may yield a vulture save on Saturday if Bednar pitches on Friday.
Game Recaps – American League
Baltimore Orioles – A rare, two-pitch, two-out save was recorded by Craig Kimbrel. He entered with two runners on and induced an infield flyout, and the umpire ruled there was interference by the runner on the catch, ending the game. As a result, Kimbrel picked up his tenth save, retiring one batter for a two-thirds of an inning outing. Yennier Cano was called upon with the bases loaded and no outs but let all three inherited runners score on a hit-by-pitch and two-RBI single by Gavin Sheets. After he struck out Zach DeLoach, he was removed from the contest. Jonathan Heasley worked a combined inning, giving up two hits, four earned runs, and two walks. Jacob Webb turned in a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit. Danny Coulombe fired a clean sixth, striking out the side.
Updated Hierarchy: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
New York Yankees – Summoned in the eighth with two runners on and two outs, Clay Holmes stranded both runners by inducing an inning-ending groundout. This proved important from a fantasy point of view as he was awarded his 14th save, preserving a combined 5-0 win over Seattle. He finished with 1.1 scoreless frames, navigating around two hits in the ninth while striking out two. He threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%). Nick Burdi issued two walks and recorded a strikeout during his one-third of the eighth. Victor González secured his second hold, retiring all three batters faced, one via strikeout.
Updated Hierarchy: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Tommy Kahnle
Oakland A’s – Despite only recording one out and letting both inherited runners score on a Brendan Rodgers double, Brandon Bielak collected his first win, issuing a walk and striking out one in the top of the 11th, courtesy of a walk-off rally. Mason Miller turned in his first rough outing of the season. He let both “place” runners score among his five runs against (three earned), giving up three hits and a walk (intentional – Charlie Blackmon) while striking out one over 1.2 innings. He gave up more earned runs in this outing than his previous 16 combined (2 ER over 20.1 IP). He threw 26 pitches (20 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). Michael Kelly fired a clean ninth, striking out two. Scott Alexander returned the side in the eighth, recording two strikeouts.
It’s tough capturing the back-and-forth events of this game, but the win probability chart can:
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Austin Adams
Game Recaps – National League
Atlanta Braves – Shutting the door on his 12th save, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two while preserving a combined shutout against the Cubs. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He’s on a modest three-game scoreless streak and has converted his last four save opportunities. A.J. Minter notched his seventh hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one. Joe Jiménez retired the side in the seventh for his 10th hold. Pierce Johnson gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of the sixth, securing his fifth hold. Dylan Lee collected his first win, retiring all three batters faced and striking out one during a combined inning.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Joe Jiménez
Cincinnati Reds – Taking over in the top of the tenth, Buck Farmer stranded both inherited runners while retiring both batters. Sam Moll suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, including a go-ahead RBI double by Fernando Tatis Jr., two runs (one earned), and a walk (intentional – Jurickson Profar) during his one-third of an inning. Alexis Díaz tossed a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out two. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. Lucas Sims retired the side in the eighth. Fernando Cruz fired a clean seventh, striking out the side on 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) and producing three whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims| Fernando Cruz
Colorado Rockies – Issuing a walk-off walk, Peter Lambert suffered his third loss. He allowed two hits, an earned run, and two walks (one intentional) while striking out one over two-thirds of the 11th inning. Matt Koch opened the 11th with a four-run lead and gave up three hits, including a two-run home run and four runs (three earned) without recording an out. Justin Lawrence logged 1.1 innings, allowing a hit, an unearned run, and two walks. Jalen Beeks was tagged with his third blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run by Daz Cameron leading off the bottom of the ninth. Beeks finished with two hits against, one earned run, and one strikeout during his two-thirds of an inning. Tyler Kinley was credited with his third hold but gave up two hits, including a two-run home run, and struck out one in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Jalen Beeks | Justin Lawrence | Tyler Kinley
Philadelphia Phillies – Nailing down his fourth save, Jeff Hoffman fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one against the Rangers’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket. He threw 23 pitches (18 strikes – 78.3 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%). Through eight outings in May, he’s recorded 11 strikeouts against two walks with two saves in three opportunities. José Alvarado took over against the 2-3-4 hitters and turned in a scoreless appearance despite allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one for his fourth hold. He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates – Things went awry once again for this fatigued leverage ladder. José Hernandez recorded two outs and served up a solo home run by Heliot Ramos in the seventh. Hunter Stratton retired his only batter in the seventh but imploded in the eighth. He allowed consecutive singles leading off the inning, followed by a three-run home run by Matt Chapman. With the lead at one, he gave up a double and an RBI single, tied the game, induced a flyout, and was removed. He was tagged with his first loss and his second blown save. Aroldis Chapman took over and uncorked a wild pitch, recorded a strikeout, a go-ahead RBI single by Brett Wisely, and another strikeout, but the damage had been done. David Bednar fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven outings.
Entering this weekend’s series versus Atlanta, the leverage ladder may struggle:
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman
San Diego Padres – Handed a one-run lead in the bottom of the tenth, Robert Suarez recorded his 14th save, issuing a walk and striking out one on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff against the Reds. He entered against the 2-3-4 lineup pocket. He’s been scoreless since April 6 and converted all 11 save chances over his last 18 games, spanning 18.1 innings with 16 strikeouts versus two walks. Jeremiah Estrada collected his first win, logging two scoreless frames, allowing a hit, and striking out five. He threw 30 pitches (70 Strike%) and generated nine whiffs (30 SwStr%). Yuki Matsui logged 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a walk and striking out one. Enyel De Los Santos suffered his first blown save, allowing a walk and a two-run home run by Nick Martini during his two-thirds of the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Yuki Matsui
San Francisco Giants – Capping another rally in Pittsburgh, Tyler Rogers appeared for a third straight game. He navigated around a hit for a scoreless ninth and his first save this year. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He benefited from a caught stealing and produced a game-ending pop-out, sealing the one-run win. Randy Rodríguez retired the side in the eighth for his first hold. Luke Jackson was credited with his second win despite giving up two hits, including a solo home run (Bryan Reynolds), and striking out two in the seventh. Taylor Rogers logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Like Pittsburgh, this series having late lead changes have resulted in heavy workloads before their series against the Mets:
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day features Jeremiah Estrada striking out the side against the Reds and finishing with five of six outs recorded via strikeout – video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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