Thursday’s nine contests yielded four reliever wins, two losses, and four saves. Anthony Bender recorded a blown save and a win against the Phillies, a rare but intriguing combination for a reliever. Both Chicago teams not only won, but each recorded a save, another rare circumstance this season. Because of the limited slate, reliever leaderboards for the last 30 days will be included at the end of today’s post.
Three Takeaways
- Cubs adjusted hierarchy: With a two-run lead in the bottom of the tenth, Craig Counsell summoned rookie Porter Hodge. He recorded five outs on Wednesday but worked around a bloop single with a strikeout, a flyout, and a game-ending pop-out for his first career save. Because of this usage pattern, Hodge will appear in our updated hierarchy below as the second in line instead of Keegan Thompson, who was available but not deployed in the two-run win:
- White Sox adjusted hierarchy: The writing was on the wall during a loss when Michael Kopech pitched after John Brebbia, and yesterday’s combined shutout of Atlanta confirmed Pedro Grifol’s preference for Kopech as the primary save share. This may be fleeting since both relievers could be moved ahead of the trade deadline, but until then, plan on these roles going forward.
- Joyce extends scoreless streak: In a non-save outing, Ben Joyce fired a clean top of the ninth, preserving a combined shutout of Detroit. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last six outings.
Our condensed recaps will take on a different look based on yesterday’s limited high-leverage events.
Closer CliffsNotes for June 27
Chicago Cubs – Handed a two-run lead in San Francisco, Porter Hodge worked around a lead-off single for a scoreless tenth and recorded a strikeout during his first major league save. Hodge threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in eight of nine outings as a reliever.
- Héctor Neris collected his seventh win. He turned in a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two versus the Giants’ 6-7-8 hitters on 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and produced one whiff.
- Tyson Miller worked a scoreless eighth, allowing a walk and striking out one. He’s been scoreless in 13 of 16 appearances with the Cubs with a 16:3 K:BB through 17.2 innings.
- Luke Little fired a clean seventh, striking out the side. He’s posted 10 strikeouts versus four walks over 6.1 innings this month.
Updated Hierarchy: Héctor Neris | Tyson Miller | Porter Hodge
Chicago White Sox – Preserving a combined shutout, Michael Kopech nailed down his sixth save with a clean ninth and a strikeout against Atlanta. He faced the 4-5-6 lineup pocket and threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). This marked his first save since May 15 and will be timely with his name being bandied about in trade talks.
- John Brebbia held on for his ninth hold, navigating around a one-out single and a walk for a scoreless eighth inning. He’s recorded 17 strikeouts against two walks over 11.2 innings with a save and four holds.
- Jared Shuster was awarded his first win. He logged three scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Tanner Banks
Kansas City Royals – Capping a comeback over the Guardians, James McArthur worked clean top of the ninth, retiring the 8-9-1 hitters and preserving a one-run win for his 14th save. He threw eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) without a whiff but produced two groundouts and a pop-out in an efficient outing. He’s been scoreless in nine of ten appearances this month, converting two wins and three saves.
- John Schreiber tossed a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his 17th hold.
- Sam Long logged 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a walk and striking out four. He collected his second win courtesy of a two-run rally in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
Miami Marlins – Shutting the door on his 11th save, Tanner Scott fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout versus the Phillies top of the lineup. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Through 11 appearances in June, he’s been scoreless in ten with 13 strikeouts against five walks while converting four of five save chances.
- A.J. Puk notched his second hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Anthony Bender collected his third win and was tagged with his second blown save, giving up a lead-off double with the runner advancing on a throwing error and scoring on a sacrifice fly. This tied the game and put an unearned run on his ledger, but the Marlins rallied for two runs in the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | Calvin Faucher | Andrew Nardi
Philadelphia Phillies – Jeff Hoffman allowed a go-ahead solo home run with the game tied in the top of the eighth. He finished with two hits allowed and two runs (one earned) while striking out one, resulting in his first loss.
- Entering the top of the seventh and inheriting two runners, Matt Strahm hit Jazz Chisolm Jr. with a pitch and allowed a bases-emptying double by Bryan De La Cruz. Not only did he let both inherited runners, but he finished with two earned runs on his ledger and suffered his third blown save.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer
San Francisco Giants – Taking over at the top of the tenth, Luke Jackson suffered his second loss, giving up Ian Happ’s go-ahead two-run home run. His final line was one hit allowed and two runs (one earned).
- Sean Hjelle navigated around two hits and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth.
- Ryan Walker worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
Vulture Save Options for Friday, June 28
- Chris Stratton (KCR): After using “The General” the previous two days, he will get today off, and the team has preferred Stratton as the ancillary option in these circumstances.
Vulture Save Options for Saturday, June 29
- Keegan Thompson (CHC): Yes, he was passed over yesterday, but if Neris pitches today it will be consecutive appearances and require an off day on Saturday.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): If Scott pitches tonight, it may provide an audition for Faucher on Saturday. However, A.J. Puk could also be a factor in a save chance on Saturday. Stay tuned.
Last 30 Days’ Leaders
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/zxdKM/1/
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/v16wd/1/
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Vg0Fm/2/
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Sam Long. He racked up four strikeouts during 1.2 scoreless frames against Cleveland, including strikeouts against Steven Kwan and José Ramírez – video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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