Leading off with the only game that counted during the Tokyo Series, the Dodgers flexed its bullpen depth by not using any reliever in both wins. Alex Vesia converted his first save, working around a two-double by Kyle Tucker and a walk with a game-ending groundout. Vesia threw 23 pitches (14 strikes – 60.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13 SwStr%). Kirby Yates secured his first hold with a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking out two on 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) with six whiffs (28.6 SwStr%) facing the Cubs’ 6-7-8-9 hitters. Landon Knack collected his first win, tossing two scoreless frames, giving up a hit, and striking out two. He will be a popular last-round target and FAAB person of interest for the “free” win.
Before one panics about Tanner Scott, relievers are just beginning to progress toward working on consecutive days this spring. However, many do this at the minor league backfields, so the outings are controlled. As for Los Angeles, the leverage ladder can operate like an old 45 record, with an “A” side and a “B” side based on lineup lane assignments. In both contests, Scott and Vesia were reserved for Kyle Tucker. Our projection of 25 saves for Scott feels accurate, but how the ancillary saves get dispersed may be more challenging to predict.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Blake Treinen | Kirby Yates
Although a byproduct of facing Dodgers’ hitters, the Cubs pitchers struggled with command in this two-game series. Ryan Pressly made his team debut and escaped walking the bases-loaded by inducing an inning-ending double play groundout at the top of the ninth. He only threw four strikes of his 16 pitches (25 Strike%), which must improve next week. Here is his pitch illustrator from his appearance:
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Ryan Brasier
After intimating all offseason the team would prefer using a set closer in the ninth inning, Torey Lovullo either cannot make up his mind or the team has shifted its philosophy:
All three relievers vying for the role pitched well last year and this spring, perhaps causing the conundrum, but for fantasy managers seeking clarity, it will take some time once the season begins. Here are our projections, which will adapt once a reliever gets named the closer:
Projected Hierarchy: *Justin Martinez | *A.J. Puk | *Kevin Ginkel
*= closer-by-committee
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Here are the leverage events of interest from Wednesday’s spring slate.
American League
Boston Red Sox
- Called upon at the top of the ninth with a three-run lead, Liam Hendriks recorded two quick outs, then allowed consecutive doubles, scoring an earned run while recording his first save. By my count, he threw 21 pitches (11 strikes – 52.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He has a 2.33 WHIP with four strikeouts (12.9 K-BB%).
- Aroldis Chapman fired a clean eighth, striking out the side on 13 pitches (76.9 Strike%) with six whiffs (46.2 SwStr%). He looked much better as this closer competition continued. Chapman has a 1.11 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against four walks 34.6 K-BB) through 6.1 innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Liam Hendriks
Chicago White Sox
- Another scoreless outing for Mike Clevinger as a reliever. He retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the fourth. No Statcast or a televised feed was available, but he’s been impressive through games this spring. He’s posted a 0.25 WHP with six strikeouts (46.2 K-BB%) across four innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Mike Clevinger | Justin Anderson | Fraser Ellard
Cleveland Guardians
- (SS) vs. OAK – Getting in work at the top of the ninth, Emmanuel Clase allowed a hit, an unearned run, hit a batter, and recorded one strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (13 strikes – 86.7 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s posted a 2.06 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus two walks (25.9 K-BB%) through 5.1 innings. Paul Sewald tossed a clean sixth, striking out one.
- (SS) vs. LAA – Cade Smith suffered his first loss, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of the eighth.
Projected Hierarchy: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Paul Sewald
Kansas City Royals
- Finding his form, Lucas Erceg worked a scoreless top of the eighth, issuing a walk and striking out two. He threw 22 pitches (59.1 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). He has a 1.88 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus four walks (15.4 K-BB%) over eight innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Hunter Harvey
New York Yankees
- (SS) vs. ATL – Devin Williams fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He has a 1.00 WHIP with four strikeouts (33.3 K-BB%) over three innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Ian Hamilton
Tampa Bay Rays
- Securing his first spring save, Pete Fairbanks retired the side. He’s posted a 1.64 WHIP with four strikeouts versus four walks in 3.2 innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Garrett Cleavinger
Texas Rangers
- During an eventual loss, Robert Garcia fired a clean bottom of the sixth on five pitches.
- Chris Martin also posted a clean seventh, throwing 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%0 without a whiff. He has a 0.40 WHIP with five strikeouts (29.4 K-BB%) in five innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Chris Martin | Robert Garcia | Luke Jackson
The Athletics
- Working a combined inning, Mason Miller retired one batter in the sixth and returned for the seventh. He gave up a hit and induced a double play groundout before being removed. He collected his first win, throwing 14 pitches (57.1 Strike%) and produced one whiff. This spring, he has a 0.71 WHIP with eight strikeouts (32 K-BB) over seven innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Mason Miller | José Leclerc | Tyler Ferguson
National League
New York Mets
- In his fourth appearance, Edwin Díaz tossed a scoreless bottom of the sixth, giving up two hits and striking out one. This spring, he has a 2.40 WHIP with five strikeouts against three walks (10.5 K-BB%) through 3.1 innings. As Anthony DiComo reported in this column for MLB.com, Díaz has been pitching with reduced velocity this spring, which will be a topic of a follow-up column later today. For now, here is his average velocity this spring per Brooks Baseball:
Projected Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | A.J. Minter | Ryne Stanek
St. Louis Cardinals
- Entering at the top of the seventh, Ryan Helsley allowed a two-out Jacob Young double and recorded one strikeout in a scoreless outing. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with five strikeouts (17.9 K-BB%) through seven innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Ryan Helsley | JoJo Romero | Phil Maton
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