Thursday’s five-game slate resulted in two extra-inning contests, with relievers recording four wins, four losses, and converting one save versus three blown saves. Because of the reduced schedule, today’s takeaways will focus on rehabbing relievers at Triple-A.
Three Takeaways
(1) Hendriks’ strong debut: It’s taken with a grain of salt, given the talent disparity between the majors and Triple-A, but Liam Hendriks appeared as the “opener” in his first rehab outing on Thursday, allowing a hit and striking out three. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%):
As the image shows, his four-seam fastball averaged 94.3 miles per hour, reaching a maximum of 95.2 in this outing. With this in mind, his splits by velocity with the four-seam since 2021:
He may not be the closer fantasy managers hoped for. Still, he could be a stabilizing option for the seventh or eighth inning if the velocity increases during his upcoming appearances.
(2) Alexis’ command issues persist: After his team extended his rehab placement, Alexis Díaz took a step back in his results, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one on April 9. He has a 2.333 WHIP in three games with four strikeouts against four walks while facing 17 batters. Here is the illustrator from his appearance on the ninth during which he threw 25 pitches (52 Strike%) with three whiffs (12 SwStr%):
His team keeps saying the right things about him returning as the closer, but he will be on a very short leash during his high-leverage appearances after the team eases him into them.
(3) Bednar’s been clean: No, we are not discussing being showered. David Bednar has made two appearances at Triple-A and retired all six batters, three via strikeout (50 K%). His last outing was on April 8:
And his illustrator:
He will not get away with four seams in the heart of the strike zone, but seeing him being aggressive in his limited sample at the level is nice. Pittsburgh promoted Kyle Nicolas for the bullpen, but Bednar may not be far behind if these results continue. As for his role, save chances will need to be earned unless Derek Shelton says otherwise.
For the save streamers, it’s limited based on Thursday’s light schedule:
Vulture Save Options for April 11
- Justin Slaten (BOS): Chapman has pitched in consecutive contests.
- Daysbel Hernández (ATL): Iglesias logged his third straight appearance last night.
- Victor Vodnik (COL): Halvorsen has worked in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Stash for April 12
- Hunter Harvey (KC): If Estévez and Erceg pitch tonight, it will be consecutive appearances.
Here are the leverage events of interest from yesterday’s contests.
Closer CliffsNotes
Atlanta Braves
Although issuing three walks, including one forcing in the “ghost” runner, José Suarez collected his first win on a walk-off blast at the bottom of the 11th. Entering against the 5-6-7 lineup pocket, he intentionally walked J.T. Realmuto with one out and, with two outs, handed out consecutive walks, scoring an unearned run before Kyle Schwarber’s inning-ending flyout.
Rafael Montero made his team debut with a scoreless tenth, walking one (intentional) and striking out two.
Raisel Iglesias appeared for a third straight game, retiring the side at the top of the ninth and striking out one during a tied contest. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%).
He has a 0.80 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk (31.6 K-BB%) through five innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Daysbel Hernández | Dylan Lee
Boston Red Sox
Despite allowing the “ghost” runner to score at the top of the tenth, Brennan Bernardino benefited from a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning for his first win. He induced a groundout, and the unearned run scored on a George Springer sacrifice fly.
Aroldis Chapman worked around a lead-off single by inducing a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. flyout, followed by consecutive strikeouts. Chapman threw 11 pitches (90.9 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 1.06 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus three walks (22.8 K-BB%) in 5.2 innings.
- Garrett Whitlock navigated around a hit and a walk with two strikeouts during a scoreless eighth.
- Justin Wilson let his only inherited runner score, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk, resulting in his second blown save over two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Garrett Whitlock
Colorado Rockies
One day removed from an implosion, Seth Halvorsen displayed resiliency, finishing a five-run win over the Brewers. He issued a walk, uncorked a wild pitch, and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless top of the ninth. He threw 12 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
This lowered his WHIP to 1.69 with six strikeouts against five walks through 5.1 innings.
- Scott Alexander was charged with his first blown save, letting one of three inherited runners score, tying the game on a double play groundout with the bases loaded. He also recorded a strikeout and collected his first win, retiring both batters at the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Seth Halvorsen | Victor Vodnik | Tyler Kinley
Kansas City Royals
Securing his fourth save, Carlos Estévez worked around a one-out hit and a hit batter for a scoreless top of the ninth. He threw 13 pitches (76.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff, recording one strikeout in his outing.
He averaged 94.8 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball and has posted a 1.17 WHIP with six strikeouts against four walks (two intentional) for a 7.4 K-BB percentage through six innings.
- Lucas Erceg notched his American League-leading fifth hold, retiring the side in the eighth.
- Daniel Lynch IV collected his second win, issuing a walk and striking out two in two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Hunter Harvey
Minnesota Twins
Taking over with a one-run lead at the bottom of the seventh, Cole Sands recorded a strikeout, hit Freddy Fermin with a pitch, gave up a single by Drew Waters, followed by Jonathan India’s RBI single, tying the game, then a sacrifice fly by Bobby Witt Jr., putting his team down by one. Sands gets tagged with his first loss and a blown save, giving up two hits and two earned runs over two-thirds of an inning.
- Danny Coulombe retired his only batter in the seventh.
- Louis Varland worked around a walk and struck out one in a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands
Milwaukee Brewers
Things escalated quickly in Coors, and Joel Payamps suffered his first loss, giving up three hits, five earned runs, and two walks while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth. He entered a tied contest and struggled with his command, throwing 26 pitches (50 Strike%) and allowing loud contact (four batted balls with an exit velocity of 105 miles per hour or better). His WHIP spiked to 2.44 over 5.1 innings due to this outing.
- Elvin Rodriguez let his only inherited runner score on a Zac Veen double and recorded a strikeout.
- Abner Uribe gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk at the bottom of the seventh. Bryan Hudson tossed a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Abner Uribe
Philadelphia Phillies
Appearing on consecutive days did not go well for Joe Ross, as he allowed a lead-off RBI double by Austin Riley, tying the game at the bottom of the 11th, then served up Marcell Ozuna’s walk-off home run, resulting in his first loss and a second blown save.
- Tanner Banks retired the side in the tenth.
- Matt Strahm fired a clean ninth, recording two strikeouts on 20 pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs against the 5-6-7 lineup pocket.
- Jordan Romano tossed a clean eighth, facing the Braves’ 2-3-4 hitters on 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) with one whiff. His four-seam fastball averaged 95.9 miles per hour.
Romano thinks the team identified a mechanical flaw, per this tweet by Todd Zolecki.
Hierarchy Remains (for now): *José Alvarado | *Orion Kerkering | Matt Strahm
*= floating closer concept
Toronto Blue Jays
Tasked with an extra-inning save chance for a second straight day, Nick Sandlin could not replicate yesterday’s success. His outing started with Jarren Duran’s RBI single, scoring an unearned run, and he was caught stealing. However, Rafael Devers singled, Alex Bregman and Triston Casas were hit by a pitch, loading the bases. A fielder’s choice groundout by Trevor Story plated the winning run, handing Sandlin his second loss and a blown save.
Yimi García also suffered a blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score at the bottom of the eighth. He logged 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk (intentional) while striking out two.
- Brendon Little was credited with a hold, allowing an unearned run and a walk while striking out one over one-third of the eighth.
- Chad Green worked 1.1 scoreless, walking one and striking out two.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community, check back later for our W2W4 this weekend.
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