Monday’s 14-game slate was a strange one from a high-leverage lens. Baseball Reference identifies a blowout win as a game decided by five or more runs. Yesterday, 10 games were decided by this margin (71.4 percent). This resulted in the relievers recording four wins and two losses, with only four saves. Of these four, two were three-inning outings by long relievers, and one was during extra innings by a pitcher making his second career appearance. Three relievers of interest logging non-save outings were covered in today’s takeaways.
Three Takeaways
(1) Command struggles for “The Mountain:” Although fantasy managers were closely tracking the maximum and average fastball velocities for Félix Bautista during his spring appearances, the last part of the puzzle for a pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery is usually his command. With a one-run lead entering the bottom of the eighth, he began warming up for his first potential save chance since August 25, 2023. However, his teammates tacked on four runs, making Monday’s outing a non-save one. This proved fortunate since he struggled mightily with his command. His outing began with a walk, a wild pitch, an RBI double, and consecutive groundouts. With two outs, Bautista gave up Jarren Duran’s RBI single and walked Rafael Devers before inducing a game-ending pop-out by Alex Bregman. He threw 26 pitches (12 strikes – 46.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. More patience will be required. His velocity was in line with the spring results:
But his illustrator shows a lack of command:
He will improve, but it will be a work in progress. Plus, his team will manage his workload, which may result in Bautista finding his best form by July or in the second half. Tempered expectations for the talented reliever should be planned on.
(2) Walker returns: Although he warmed up for a save opportunity, his teammates produced two runs at the top of the ninth, expanding the lead to five. Ryan Walker took over against Houston’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket and worked around a lead-off walk for a scoreless ninth, striking out two. He threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with two strikeouts against one walk through two games. The good news is that he returned without any velocity concerns after his back tightened up following his season debut on Opening Day in Cincinnati.
(3) Scott struggling versus LHH: Tanner Scott entered against Atlanta’s top-of-the-lineup by making a non-save appearance last night during the eighth inning. He allowed a lead-off home run against Michael Harris II and recorded two strikeouts on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%). It’s a limited sample, but the southpaw has faced seven left-handed hitters in 2025, allowing four hits including three extra-base hits resulting in a .667 batting average against, a robust 1.667 slugging percentage allowed, and a .820 weighted on-base average (wOBA). As this chart highlights, it’s his four-seam fastball location:
He’s been relying on his four-seam in early outings and this will change as the season progresses. As a reference point, his splits against left-handed hitters from last year and his career:
Here are the remaining leverage outings of interest from Monday’s slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
Atlanta Braves
Amid his team’s fifth straight loss opening the season, Raisel Iglesias debuted with a clean bottom of the eighth while striking out one. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Pierce Johnson | Aaron Bummer
Baltimore Orioles
Before Bautista’s non-save outing, Yennier Cano nailed down his first hold with a clean eighth, striking out one on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
- Keegan Akin retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the seventh for his second hold.
- Seranthony Domínguez was awarded his first win, working a clean sixth and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Félix Bautista | Yennier Cano | Seranthony Domínguez
Boston Red Sox
In order of appearance, Garrett Whitlock kept his team within reach, tossing two scoreless frames. He allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts on 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs.
- Greg Weissert worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Justin Slaten suffered some BAbip regression, allowing three hits, four earned runs, and a walk without recording an out.
- Cooper Criswell let all three inherited runners score on two hits during his inning in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Garrett Whitlock
Chicago Cubs
Closing a lopsided win resulted in a three-inning save for Colin Rea. He scattered four hits and recorded one strikeout during an 18-3 victory over the Athletics. He threw 40 pitches (24 strikes – 60 Strike%) and induced five whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). This marked the second save of his career.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Ryan Brasier
Colorado Rockies
Taking over at the bottom of the seventh, Scott Alexander allowed a lead-off single, then induced a double play groundout. However, with two outs, he allowed a Bryson Stott double and walked Trea Turner, forcing his removal.
Victor Vodnik took over with two runners and gave up a go-ahead two-RBI double by Edmundo Sosa and a Kyle Schwarber home run before inducing an inning-ending groundout. Vodnik was tagged with his first blown save, allowing two hits and two earned runs in one-third of the seventh. Alexander suffered his first loss while getting credit for a hold, yielding two hits, two earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Seth Halvorsen | Victor Vodnik | Tyler Kinley
Detroit Tigers
Closing an eventual three-run win, Brant Hurter recorded his first career save, logging three innings while giving up three hits, two earned runs on a Cal Raleigh home run, and striking out two.
- Will Vest stranded an inherited runner, striking out his only batter in the sixth.
- Tyler Holton was awarded his first win. He worked a scoreless combined inning, walking two and striking out one. He stranded a runner at the bottom of the fifth and left with a runner on in the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Beau Brieske | *Tommy Kahnle | *Tyler Holton
Los Angeles Angels
In his second MLB appearance, Ryan Johnson recorded his first career save despite letting the “ghost” runner score on a hit and a Victor Scott II sacrifice fly while striking out one at the bottom of the tenth. He threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Brock Burke collected his first win, working a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one. He has a 1.50 WHIP with two strikeouts versus one walk through two innings.
- Garrett McDaniels allowed two hits in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Ben Joyce | Brock Burke
Philadelphia Phillies
While Jordan Romano warmed up for the save, his teammates launched two solo home runs, expanding the lead to five. Romano tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing a lead-off bloop single before retiring the next three batters, two via strikeout. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
José Alvarado notched his first hold with a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out three on 23 pitches (14 strikes – 60.9 Strike%) with three whiffs (13 SwStr%).
- Joe Ross collected his first win, tossing a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Orion Kerkering issued a walk during two-thirds scoreless in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jordan Romano | *José Alvarado | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer concept
St. Louis Cardinals
Entering at the top of the tenth, JoJo Romero suffered his first loss, allowing two runs (one earned) and two walks on 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) without a whiff.
Ryan Helsley tossed a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out two. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). He has a 1.00 WHIP with five strikeotus (62.5 K-BB%) in his first two outings.
- Phil Maton fired a clean eighth, striking out the side.
- Ryan Fernandez suffered his first blown save, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the seventh.
- Chris Roycroft stranded one of two runners while retiring both batters in the sixth for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero
Toronto Blue Jays
Filling in capably for Jeff Hoffman, Yimi García locked down his first save, retiring the side and recording two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) without inducing a whiff. He has a 0.38 WHIP with three strikeouts in his first three appearances.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green
Vulture Save Option for April 1
- Blake Treinen (LAD): Dave Roberts will continue managing his relievers, and Scott pitched last night.
Vulture Save Stash for April 2
- Camilo Doval (SF): If Walker pitches today, it will be back-to-back appearances.
What to Watch For
- Who received the first White Sox save chance? Arizona? Miami?
- Which reliever gets the ninth with a lead for Detroit?
- Does Pittsburgh give David Bednar more save chances, or will Dennis Santana be called on for the next opportunity?
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