Wednesday provided one of the strangest slates in recent memory. Of the 16 games played, five had a reliever record a win, and only five ended in a save. Two were a reliever’s first of the season: Adrian Houser (NYM) and Trent Thornton (SEA). Eight high-leverage relievers made non-save appearances, including James McArthur, Mason Miller, Alexis Díaz, and Raisel Iglesias.
Not only did the Cubs play another one-run contest, but they also suffered another loss, with their bullpen remaining in flux during high-leverage moments. Today’s three takeaways will cover this and other topics.
Three Takeaways
- Cubs’ one-run games: Last night, Chicago played its 33rd game decided by one-run and suffered its 19th loss in them (.424 winning percentage). This loss was part baserunning and part bullpen, but overcoming these mistakes is tough. Drew Smyly suffered his second loss in three days. Although Porter Hodge and Keegan Thompson worked scoreless outings, which is encouraging, it was not enough. Fantasy managers remain in search of a reliable source of saves in this leverage ladder. Will the next save be provided two Tyson Miller? Héctor Neris? Time will tell, but with Yency Almonte suffering a setback in his rehab, and Ben Brown’s return status and role unknown, reinforcements may not arrive before the All-Star break.
- Muñoz’s rough outing: Pitching through lingering back soreness will provide outcomes like Wednesday’s, though Scott Servais’s use of Andrés Muñoz in a non-save appearance did not seem necessary. Taking over with a four-run lead, Muñoz issued two walks and hit Isaac Paredes with a pitch before being removed. He threw 18 pitches and only six strikes, inducing zero whiffs. He missed to his arm side with his four-seam fastball and could not control his slider. Days like this may occur, but he will be on watch during his outings this weekend:
- Boston’s deadline decisions: Currently tied for the last Wild Card position, the Red Sox face some difficult decisions over the next three weeks. It’s closer; Kenley Jansen prefers staying with the team and pursuing a championship in this column by Alex Speier for The Boston Globe. However, Liam Hendriks completed his first bullpen session in preparation for a return last July or early August, right around the trade deadline (July 30). Perhaps the team’s play over the next three weeks will make a decision about Jansen easier, but he clearly states in article that he does not want to be a part of a match-up-based bullpen. Stay tuned.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Displaying no signs of rust, Craig Kimbrel recorded his 17th save, appearing for the first time in six days. He tossed a scoreless ninth, issuing a walk and striking out three while preserving a two-run win over Cleveland.
(RP | KCR): Representing the perfect example of a vulture win, Angel Zerpa recorded two outs and struck out one in the top of the eighth. He collected his first win courtesy of a five-run rally in the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
(RP | LAA): Matt Moore collected his fourth win, retiring the side in the sixth and striking out one ahead of his team’s five-run rally in the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Matt Moore
(RP | SEA): Taking over a bases-loaded situation with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, Trent Thornton induced consecutive groundouts, including a game-ending double play, resulting in his first save.
(RP | TBR): Taking over in the sixth, Shawn Armstrong induced a groundout, issued a walk, and gave up Cal Raleigh’s go-ahead three-run home run. This put two earned runs on his ledger and let an inherited runner score. Armstrong suffered his second loss and second blown save as a result.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
(RP | TEX): Entering a tied game in the bottom of the tenth, Jacob Latz suffered his third loss. He allowed a walk-off, two-out RBI single by Andruw Monasterio.
National League
(RP | CHC): Taking over a tied game in the fifth, Drew Smyly suffered his fifth loss, allowing a solo home run by Luis Matos. Smyly logged 1.1 innings, giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: *Héctor Neris | *Tyson Miller | *Keegan Thompson
*= closer-by-committee
(RP | MIA): Entering with a 1-0 lead, Huascar Brazobán recorded two quick outs in the eighth, but then the wheels came off the bus. He allowed a Bobby Witt Jr. triple, followed by a game-tying RBI single by Vinnie Pasquantino, who was replaced by Dairon Blanco; after a stolen base, he scored the go-ahead run on a Salvador Perez double. Consecutive singles produced another run and Brazobán’s removal. He finished with five hits allowed, five earned runs, and one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | Calvin Faucher | Andrew Nardi
(RP | MIL): After working a scoreless top of the tenth, Jared Koenig collected his seventh win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning. He allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts.
(RP | NYM): Recording his first career save, Adrian Houser pitched three scoreless innings in a lopsided win over the Yankees. He scattered two hits and gave up a walk while striking out three. He threw 44 pitches (25 strikes—56.8 Strike%) and only induced one whiff.
Updated Hierarchy: *Reed Garrett | *Jake Diekman | Adam Ottavino
*= match-up-based approach
(RP | PHI): Entering in the bottom of the fifth, José Ruiz retired the side and recorded two strikeouts. He was awarded his second win by the Tigers’ home scorer.
(RP | SFG): Preserving a one-run win, Camilo Doval worked around a lead-off hit for a scoreless ninth while recording one strikeout and his 14th save.
(RP | STL): Preserving a split, Ryan Helsley recorded his MLB-leading 28th save with a scoreless ninth in Game 2 versus Atlanta. He navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Vulture Save Options for Thursday, June 27
- Griffin Jax (MIN): He could be in line for the save chance this afternoon in Arizona after Jhoan Durán pitched in the eighth inning during a loss, but roles in this leverage ladder can be fluid.
- Ryan Walker (SFG): Doval and Tyler Rogers have pitched on consecutive days, leaving Walker atop the hierarchy with the team trying for a sweep of the Cubs.
- Ryan Fernandez (STL): The rookie could receive an ancillary save chance with the team’s hierarchy needing rest. Helsley has pitched in three of the last four, throwing 56 pitches. Kittredge and Romero appear fatigued.
Vulture Save Options for Friday, June 28
- Yennier Cano (BAL): If Kimbrel pitches today, it will be two in a row and an off-day on Friday.
- Fernando Cruz (CIN): If Díaz works in tonight’s contest, he will get Friday off.
- Chris Stratton (KCR): McArthur logged a non-save outing during a four-run win yesterday, and if he pitches again tonight, he will be unavailable on Friday.
American League – Full Recaps
Baltimore Orioles – Making his first appearance in six days, Craig Kimbrel shut the door on his 17th save. He issued a two-out walk (Josh Naylor) before inducing a game-ending strikeout, his third of the inning, while preserving a two-run win over the Guardians. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s converted four of five save chances in June while posting 11 strikeouts against three walks across eight games spanning 7.1 innings. Cionel Pérez retired the side in the eighth, recording his eighth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Cionel Pérez
Seattle Mariners – Pressed into action and inheriting a bases-loaded situation with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, Trent Thornton recorded his first save. He induced a fielder’s choice groundout, scoring one inherited runner and a game-ending double-play groundout, preserving a three-run win over the Rays. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%). Andrés Muñoz struggled during his hon-save appearance. He issued two walks and hit a batter without recording an out. He missed arm side with his four-seam fastball and only threw six strikes among his 18 pitches before being lifted. He gets tagged with an earned run and a rough ratio outing. Ryne Stanek tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a bloop single and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: *Andrés Muñoz (HLR/PSS) | Ryne Stanek | Trent Thornton
*= An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
Texas Rangers – Despite retiring two batters on pop-outs in the bottom of the tenth, Jacob Latz suffered his third loss. He allowed a walk-off RBI single by Andruw Monasterio, scoring the “place” runner. Kirby Yates navigated around a hit and a walk (intentional – Christian Yelich) while striking out two in a scoreless ninth. After Brice Turang singled, an errant pick-off throw moved him to third, but Yates bore down, recording a strikeout against William Contreras and an inning-ending strikeout of Willy Adames. David Robertson worked a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
National League – Full Recaps
Milwaukee Brewers – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Jared Koenig collected his seventh win after tossing a scoreless top of the tenth. He issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts while throwing 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) with four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). Trevor Megill worked a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit on 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and getting two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Through 12 appearances in June, he’s been scoreless in 11 with 12 strikeouts versus four walks while converting all eight save chances. Joel Payamps fired a clean eighth, striking out one. Bryan Hudson retired the side in the seventh and recorded a strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Bryan Hudson
Philadelphia Phillies – Making a non-save appearance, José Alvarado allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one. He closed out a four-run win but gave up a lead-off double, threw a wild pitch, and an RBI single by Andy Ibañez before retiring the next three batters. He threw 16 pitches (50 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This snapped his four-game scoreless streak, and he last secured a save on June 11. This snapped his four-game scoreless streak, and he last secured a save on June 11. Jeff Hoffman retired the side in the eighth. Orion Kerkering fired a clean seventh. Matt Stahm worked a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit. José Ruiz collected his second win, tossing a clean fifth and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer
San Francisco Giants – Navigating around a lead-off single, Camilo Doval retired the next three hitters, one via strikeout for his 14th save. He preserved a one-run win, throwing eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff. He’s converted his last five save chances and been scoreless in seven of his last outings. Tyler Rogers benefited from an inning-ending caught stealing. He recorded a scoreless inning despite allowing two hits and a walk. Erik Miller retired the side and recorded a strikeout for his 11th hold. Luke Jackson collected his fourth win, logging 1.1 scoreless innings and walking one.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
St. Louis Cardinals – Securing a split in today’s doubleheader and his MLB-leading 28th save, Ryan Helsley navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth against Atlanta. He issued a one-out walk to Matt Olson and gave up a single by Austin Riley before inducing a groundout followed by a game-ending strikeout. Helsley’s converted 28 straight saves this season and converted 10 this month. JoJo Romero let one of two inherited runners score on an RBI single by Jarred Kelenic and retired one in the top of the eighth for his 23rd hold. Andrew Kittredge allowed two hits and an earned run during his two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his 22nd hold.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
During his 28th save, Ryan Helsley gets our filthy pitch of the day, courtesy of this slider – video provided by the Pitching Ninja.
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