Smaller slates like last night’s nine-game one can provide limited high-leverage events or a multitude of them. Yesterday’s contests yielded six saves, two blown saves resulting in a win, and five wins by relievers. Headlining the saves, Arizona played its first game, which was not decided by five or more runs in 11 games, providing Paul Sewald his first save since June 6.
In today’s three takeaways, we discuss why the Royals used James McArthur in the seventh inning, the Astros usage pattern concerns arise again, and Ryan Helsley‘s velocity spiked after three days off.
Three Takeaways
- McArthur in the seventh?: In the postgame quotes, the Royals viewed this game as a must-win, having lost eight of their previous ten contests. After Seth Lugo allowed a game-tying two-run home run, and the go-ahead runner on, manager Mike Quatraro called on James McArthur in the game’s highest leveraged moment. Although he gave up a double, a strong relay throw cut down the runner at the plate, keeping the game tied. McArthur allowed a hit and two walks, with a double play groundball sandwiched in during the eighth before his removal. Although it seems like a hierarchal change could be afoot, for now, it sounds like this was an isolated circumstance.
- Overworking the Astros’ leverage ladder again: There’s an old saying: Once is a mistake, but twice is a trend. Rookie manager Joe Espada continues learning on the fly; however, his lack of trust in any reliever outside his high-leverage triumvirate remains an issue. With a big series against Baltimore on tap this weekend, he used his best relievers on consecutive days against the White Sox. He must learn how to build confidence in other relievers or else the team will not be in contention for a postseason berth:
- Helsley shoves after a much-needed break: After receiving three days off, Ryan Helsley recorded his MLB-leading 25th save during a one-run win over the Giants. Like Espada above, Oli Marmol has received criticism for how he manages workloads in the bullpen. Workload management can be a dirty word for some, especially greedy fantasy managers, but keeping relievers rested throughout the season is pivotal. Earlier this week, Helsley’s velocity dip was documented. He made four appearances in a six-day window and threw 60 pitches. After three days off, note the spike in velocity last night:
Recapping last night’s action, our condensed and full game recaps cover the high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Taking over with a runner on and two outs in the fifth, Bryan Baker allowed a single before getting an inning-ending ground out. He collected his first win while tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a lopsided contest.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Cionel Pérez
(RP | CHW): Entering with a two-run lead in the seventh, Steven Wilson allowed three hits and three runs (two earned) while recording one out. He suffered his fourth loss while getting credit for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy remains: *John Brebbia | *Michael Kopech | Tanner Banks
*= closer-by-committee
(RP | CLE): Emmanuel Clase fired a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout during his American League-leading 22nd save.
(RP | HOU): Appearing on back-to-back days, Josh Hader locked down his 11th save, firing a clean ninth and striking out two.
(RP | KCR): With two runners on and one out, Chris Stratton took over in the ninth and coaxed consecutive flyouts for his fourth save, preserving a one-run win in Oakland.
(RP | MIN): Entering in the top of the tenth, Griffin Jax allowed two hits, including a go-ahead RBI single by Jonny DeLuca, scoring the “place” runner. He suffered his third loss, throwing 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and inducing two whiffs while striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Josh Staumont
(RP | TBR): Pressed into action with two runners on and no outs in the bottom of the ninth, Pete Fairbanks induced a groundout and recorded a strikeout. However, he could not close out the save, allowing a game-tying three-run home run. Fairbanks turned in a scoreless tenth, collecting his second win and suffering his second blown save during his two-inning outing.
National League
(RP | ARI): Preserving a three-run win in Washington, Paul Sewald tossed a scoreless ninth and allowed a hit while recording his eighth save.
(RP | LAD): Locking down his 12th save, Evan Phillips retired the side in the ninth and recorded two strikeouts in Colorado.
(RP | MIL): Entering a tied game in the bottom of the ninth, Joel Payamps suffered his third loss. After striking out two batters, he allowed a walk-off home run by Jake Cronenworth. Payapms threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Bryan Hudson
(RP | SDP): Appearing for the third time in three days, Jeremiah Estrada suffered his first blown save, allowing a lead-off walk, two hits, and two earned runs while recording three strikeouts. He collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the inning.
(RP | STL): Working around a lead-off walk and a two-out single, Ryan Helsley tossed a scoreless ninth while recording his MLB-leading 25th save.
Vulture Save Options for Friday, June 21
- Jason Adam (TBR): Fairbanks worked two innings and threw 30 pitches during an extra-inning win over the Twins.
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Clase has appeared in two straight, and if he gets off tonight, Gaddis will be in line for the save chance.
Vulture Save Stashes for Saturday, June 22
- Chris Stratton (KCR): If McArthur gets the save chance today, Stratton would be in line for Saturday.
American League – Full Recaps
Cleveland Guardians – Preserving a three-run lead, Emmanuel Clase locked down his American League-leading 22nd save. He fired a clean top of the ninth against the Mariners’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket and recorded one strikeout. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Since May 20, he’s converted nine straight saves with 12 strikeouts against one walk and a 0.67 WHIP over 12 innings. Cade Smith logged 1.2 clean frames and struck out two for his tenth hold. Tim Herrin gave up a hit and a walk during one-third of the seventh and received credit for his eighth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Cade Smith
Houston Astros – Securing his second save in less than 24 hours, Josh Hader fired a clean ninth, recording two strikeouts of pinch-hitters and a game-ending lineout by Tommy Pham. He recorded his 11th save, throwing 14 pitches (12 strikes – 85.7 Strike%) and producing four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). This marked the first time Hader had recorded multiple saves in a series. Ryan Pressly notched his ninth hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Bryan Abreu retired the side in the seventh, two via strikeout for his 17th hold. Tayler Scott collected his third win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, issuing a walk, and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – Summoned with one out and two runners in the bottom of the ninth, Chris Stratton stranded both runners, inducing consecutive flyouts and preserving a one-run win for his fourth save. Angel Zerpa was credited with his eighth hold, stranding two runners in the eighth. He recorded two outs, gave up a hit, and had a runner reach on an error in the ninth. James McArthur took over in the seventh with a runner and allowed a double by pinch hitter Abraham Toro, with the runner thrown out at home, ending the inning. He returned for the eighth against the top of the A’s lineup, issuing two walks and giving up a single while recording a double play groundout. He finished with two hits allowed and two walks during a combined scoreless inning while collecting his fourth win.
Updated Hierarchy: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
Tampa Bay Rays – After warming for the ninth, Pete Fairbanks sat down when the lead reached four. Chris Devenski entered instead, allowing a lead-off home run, double, and a walk, forcing Fairbanks into the contest with two runners on. He induced a fielder’s choice groundout and recorded a strikeout before giving up a game-tying home run by Jose Miranda. He returned for the tenth and benefited from a double-play flyout, finishing with his second win and second blown save. He logged two innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, and struck out one. Kevin Kelly recorded his seventh hold, striking out both batters in the eighth and stranding two runners. Garrett Cleavinger allowed a hit and a walk in one-third of the eighth for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
National League – Full Recaps
Arizona Diamondbacks – Presented with his first save chance since June 6, Paul Sewald navigated around a one-out single by Jesse Winker with a flyout and a game-ending lineout to first base for his eighth save. He threw eight pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s amid a 13-game scoreless streak and recorded 10 strikeouts against three walks across 11.2 innings. Ryan Thompson nailed down his ninth hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Ryan Thompson | Joe Mantiply
Los Angeles Dodgers – Shutting the door on his 12th save, Evan Phillips fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, closing out a two-run win in Colorado. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (45.5 SwStr%). He owns a modest five-game scoreless streak and has converted his last three save chances. Alex Vesia allowed a solo home run by Ryan McMahon and recorded three strikeouts for his sixth hold in the eighth. Daniel Hudson tossed a clean seventh, striking out one while securing his 11th hold. Blake Treinen let two of three inherited runners score on a Jake Cave single, then retired the next two batters for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Blake Treinen | Daniel Hudson
San Diego Padres – Called upon for a third straight game, Jeremiah Estrada was not sharp in his outing. He issued Christian Yelich a lead-off walk and allowed a one-out single before a wild pitch scored Yelich. With one out, Rhys Hoskins produced a game-tying RBI double. Estrada rebounded with consecutive strikeouts, ending the inning and getting tagged for his first blown save. However, he collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the inning. He threw 28 pitches (17 strikes – 60.7 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (25 SwStr%). Enyel De Los Santos secured his eighth hold, stranding two runners and retiring his only batter in the eighth. Wandy Peralta was credited with his tenth hold, giving up a hit, an earned run, and two walks with a strikeout during his combined inning of relief. Yuki Matsui allowed a hit and two walks during two-thirds scoreless, and Peralta stranded three runners for him. Adrian Morejon retired all four batters and recorded two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Yuki Matsui
St. Louis Cardinals – With a one-run lead in the ninth, Ryan Helsley navigated around a lead-off walk and a two-out single while recording his MLB-leading 25th save. He threw 23 pitches (16 strikes—69.6 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (35 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. He’s been scoreless in seven of his eight appearances in June and converted seven saves with a 13:7 K:BB over eight innings. Adam Kloffenstein made his major league debut with a clean eighth and recorded his first hold. John King allowed a hit and struck out one during two-thirds scoreless for his fourth hold. Andrew Kittredge let both inherited runners score while allowing two singles and a sacrifice fly in the sixth. He finished with a scoreless combined inning and was credited with his 20th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to Evan Phillips‘ sweeper – video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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