Small slates often provided limited leverage outcomes, but Thursday’s seven-game slate did yield three saves, including the first of 2024 for Paul Sewald. How his team deploys him will determine his fantasy ceiling, with pitching on consecutive days being his last hurdle. Because of the limited game action, there will also be a rehab outing update from Tampa Bay and a What to Watch For (W2W4) segment for this weekend in the world of high-leverage. But first, the condensed and full recaps from last night’s contests.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | CWS): Appearing for a second straight night, Michael Kopech recorded his fourth save, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out one, closing out a one-run win over Cleveland.
(RP | HOU): Not only did Josh Hader notch his fourth save of the season, but he recorded four outs during one for the first time since 2020.
(RP | MIN): Making his season debut, Josh Staumont tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out three finishing a lopsided win. He threw 26 pitches (15 strikes – 57.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: *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 | NYY): Appearing during a loss, Luke Weaver stranded a runner while tossing 1.1 clean frames, striking out two. He owns a seven-game scoreless streak with 16 strikeouts against one walk through 12.2 innings.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Victor González
National League
(RP | ARI): During his second appearance this season, Paul Sewald notched his first save, preserving a one-run win in Cincinnati with a clean ninth while striking out two.
(RP | CIN): Entering a tied game in the top of the eighth, Fernando Cruz recorded two quick outs before allowing two walks and an RBI single, resulting in his third loss.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz | Lucas Sims
(RP | COL): Wrapping up an eight-run win, Jalen Beeks retired all four batters faced and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Justin Lawrence | Jake Bird | Jalen Beeks
(RP | MIL): Entering with the bases loaded and no outs in the fifth, Jared Koenig stranded all three runners by inducing a fielder’s choice ground out, a pop-out, and an inning-ending fly-out. He collected his fourth win, tossing two scoreless frames, giving up a hit, and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
Game Recaps – American League
Chicago White Sox – Securing his fourth save, Michael Kopech logged 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a one-out single in the ninth by Bo Naylor and striking out one. He threw 14 pitches, all strikes, generating five whiffs (35.7 SwStr%). This marked his third save requiring more than three outs, and he’s been scoreless in five of his last six outings. John Brebbia was credited with his fourth hold despite giving up back-to-back solo home runs (José Ramírez; Josh Naylor). Jordan Leasure notched his fifth hold, stranding the bases-loaded while retiring three batters faced, two via strikeout.
Updated Hierarchy: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
Houston Astros – Preserving a one-run win, Josh Hader recorded his fourth save, and first four-out regular-season save since August 14, 2020. He stranded a runner in the eighth and worked around a lead-off single in the ninth, including a game-ending strikeout. Hader threw 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Ryan Pressly allowed a solo home run (Aaron Judge) and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of the eighth for his fifth hold. Bryan Abreu fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out three on 20 pitches (65 Strike%) with one whiff, securing his fifth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Game Recaps – National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Closing out his first save, and a one-run win, Paul Sewald fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts against the Reds. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). With one hurdle cleared, now fantasy managers await him logging appearances on consecutive days. Kevin Ginkel collected his second win, tossing a scoreless eighth while giving up a hit and striking out one. Ryan Thompson was tagged with his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score on a single by Spencer Steer, then retired Jake Fraley, ending the seventh inning.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson
Rehab Report
(RP | TBR): Appearing in his second rehab game with Durham, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean top of the ninth during a tied game and recorded a strikeout. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced three whiffs. He’s logged two scoreless outings and should be activated for this weekend’s series against the Yankees. With this in mind, here’s the adjusted hierarchy:
Anticipated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Garrett Cleavinger
What to Watch For (Weekend of May 10-12)
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Will the team keep Craig Kimbrel in save situations all weekend or will they pick spots for the veteran closer? He’s given up a run in five of his last six outings while converting two of four save chances, representing his only two games-finished in this sample.
Chicago White Sox – After using varied usage patterns, with John Brebbia back, there may be a more traditional pathway toward saves moving forward. Over the previous two days, Brebbia’s set-up in the eighth with Michael Kopech closing the games in the ninth. Those playing in SOLDS or holds formats should monitor if Jordan Leasure takes over the seventh-inning role.
Detroit Tigers – It’s a hot-button topic in fantasy circles as we await if Alex Lange or someone else gets the next save chance. Of course, the usage patterns have been very vague, though he has two games-finished in his last two outings:
Minnesota Twins – During a series versus Toronto, Jhoan Durán may operate more like a closer, unless he’s matched up with Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s lineup pocket.
Tampa Bay Rays – After two rehab outings, Pete Fairbanks should be activated for this weekend’s series against the Yankees, once it’s official, the hierarchy will update.
Toronto Blue Jays – Closer Jordan Romano has given up multiple hits and an earned run in both outings this month. Yimi García has not pitched since April 28 and Erik Swanson has allowed runs in four of his last five appearances (3 IP, 7 ER, 2.33 WHIP), results like this are not ideal for a bullpen’s hierarchy.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – With his bullpen taxed over the last two days, will Paul Sewald attempt his first back-to-back appearance tonight? If not, when will he be ready?
Chicago Cubs – Among relievers with at least six saves, Héctor Neris has the second-highest disparity in ERA-SIERA (-2.63). He’s also the only one with a negative K-BB percentage (-1.6 percent). It feels like regression lies in the offing as he puts traffic on the bases and then escapes. It’s tough trusting a closer with a 20.3 percent walk rate, allowing contact 80.2 percent of the time, and a 1.71 WHIP.
Colorado Rockies – Who gets the next Rockies save? Probably, Justin Lawrence, but the ratio risk and scarcity of production makes it difficult to have him active weekly.
Los Angeles Dodgers – How will Dave Roberts structure his next save chance? Will it be a match-up-based approach or will Daniel Hudson fill the vacated preferred save share? Also, does Blake Treinen remain in the HLR role this weekend?
Philadelphia Phillies – Over the last 15 days, José Alvarado leads the team with three saves, placating those with him on their roster. Plus, Jeff Hoffman can remain active despite notching one save in this time frame because he’s been an elite ratio eraser, and recorded 15 strikeouts against his last 23 batters faced (65.2 K%).
Pittsburgh Pirates – Fantasy managers anxiously await for the David Bednar rebound. He’s recorded a win and two saves over his last four appearances but with an 11.25 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over four innings. No qualified reliever has a larger chasm in their current ERA (9.69) and SIERA (2.72) than the “Renegade“, so here’s hoping some positive migration toward the mean happens for him soon.
Vulture Save Options for Friday, May 10
ARI: Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson have pitched in two straight, and Sewald has not appeared on consecutive days this season. If a save chance happens tonight, it could be Joe Mantiply or Justin Martinez, though it may be tough sledding against the Orioles in this match-up.
CWS: Since Kopech and Brebbia have pitched in two straight contests, it will be Leasure or Steven Wilson for a save chance, if provided this evening.
Closer Monkey’s filthy performance of the day goes to Jordan Leasure, stranding the bases loaded with two strikeouts, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community, stay safe and be well.
Please consider becoming a premium subscriber for a one-time $20 donation to the site, featuring full-text emails with charts, column blurbs, and ad-free analysis.