Friday featured only 14 games, with snow postponing the game in Colorado. Relievers recorded three wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save and converted nine saves. Jeff Hoffman posted another dominant outing, this time not against a team which spurned him in free agency, and Ryan Pressly was awarded a win despite taking over with a two-run lead the top of the ninth. These topics, and more in today’s takeaways.
Three Takeaways
(1) Hoffman’s shoving: Locking down his fifth save, Jeff Hoffman fired a clean top of the ninth against Seattle’s 3-4-5 lineup pocket and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.7 SwStr%).
He owns a 0.619 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against one walk (37.5 K-BB%) across 11.1 innings. He’s attacking hitters illustrated by his 71.2 strike percentage, and produced an 18.5 swinging strike percentage with a wide arsenal:
- Four-seam fastball: 39 percent usage, 38.5 K-BB%, 15.8 SwStr%, .154 batting average against, 66.7 percent contact rate allowed
- Split-fingered fastball: 31.5 percent usage, 31.6 K-BB%, 19.6 SwStr%, .158 batting average against, 72.7 percent contact rate allowed
- Slider: 21.2 percent usage, 80 K-BB%, 22.6 SwStr%, .000 batting average against, 41.7 percent contact rate allowed
- Sinker: 8.2 percent usage, 33.3 K-BB%, 16.7 SwStr%, .333 batting average against, 71.4 percent contact rate allowed
He embraced becoming the closer after signing his free agent deal, now fantasy managers hope he remains healthy for the remainder of the season.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green
(2) Wild day in Wrigley: Who needs a game at Coors on Friday when the wind blows at Wrigley Field? Ryan Pressly took over with a two-run lead after 16 runs were scored in the eighth inning. Working around Alek Thomas’ two-out double, Pressly secured the two-run margin with a scoreless ninth. However, he was awarded the win and not the save fantasy managers were expecting. This fell under the “brief and ineffective” rule for relievers:
Because no Cubs pitcher before the eighth inning would be eligible for the win, it would have been Ethan Roberts in line for the vulture win. However, he let both inherited runners score and an earned run on his ledger, serving up a three-run Lourdes Gurriel Jr. home run during one-third of the eighth. This gave the official scorer the right to enact this ruling, giving Pressly his second win. Buckle in, it’s only April. No matter how frustrated someone with Pressly on their roster may feel, it beats having Porter Hodge (four hits, six earned runs, and two walks in two-thirds of an inning) active.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Julian Merryweather
(3) Dream Weaver: Completing a combined 1-0 win at Tampa Bay, Luke Weaver retired the side at the bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts for his second save. He threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (40 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.70 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus five walks (16.2 K-BB%) through ten innings. Even though he’s the ancillary save option to Devin Williams, Weaver has as many or more saves than five franchises after Friday’s action. A talented reliever on a good team may be more viable than a marginal closer on a bad team, even in 12-team mixed leagues.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Mark Leiter Jr.
For the save streamers, a light forecast this weekend, though Sunday’s outlook can change based on usage patterns later today:
Vulture Save Options for April 19
- Will Vest (DET): Kahnle and Holton have pitched on consecutive days. For those seeking a multi-inning reliever, Brant Hurter could be in play for a vulture win.
Vulture Save Stashes for April 20
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): If Clase pitches today, it will be back-to-back outings.
- Yennier Cano (BAL): If Félix Bautista gets the save chance today, he will be unavailable on Sunday.
- Daysbel Hernández (ATL): If Iglesias pitches today, it’s consecutive contests.
Here are the remaining high-leverage events of interest from Friday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Atlanta Braves
Shutting the door on his third save, Raisel Iglesias retired the side against the Twins’ 7-8-9 hitters, preserving his team’s five-run rally at the bottom of the eighth. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
This marked his first save since April 12, and he posted a 0.71 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk (23.8 K-BB%) through seven innings.
- Enyel De Los Santos garnered his first win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Daysbel Hernández | Dylan Lee
Cleveland Guardians
Forced into action with a runner on second and two outs, Emmanuel Clase issued a walk and recorded a game-ending strikeout of Jack Suwinski for his third save, preserving a three-run win over Pittsburgh. He threw nine pitches (33.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
He’s converted three of four save chances with a 2.04 WHIP and nine strikeouts against two walks (16.2 K-BB%) over 8.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
Detroit Tigers
Answering the call with the bases loaded and one out at the top of the ninth, Tommy Kannle walked in a run, then recorded a strikeout and benefited from a terrific game-ending catch in center field for his fourth save. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
His WHIP sits at 0.52 with six strikeouts against one walk (14 K-BB%) over 7.2 innings. He’s being used as the preferred save share, so he’s a worthy target in FAAB or waivers this weekend.
Hierarchy Remains: Tommy Kahnle | Will Vest | Tyler Holton
Houston Astros
Securing his fifth save, Josh Hader retired the side against the Padres’ 9-1-2 hitters and recorded one strikeout. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to seven games, and he has a 0.60 WHIP with 13 strikeouts versus two walks (30.6 K-BB%) through ten innings.
- Bryan Abreu allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Los Angeles Angels
Closing a combined shutout, Kenley Jansen retired the side against the Giants’ 5-6-7 hitters for his fifth save. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
This was his first save since April 12, and he has a 0.857 WHIP with seven strikeouts against two walks (19.2 K-BB%) through seven innings.
- Ryan Zeferjahn secured his second hold, walking one and striking out two against the top of the lineup.
- Brock Burke notched his third hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Brock Burke | Ryan Zeferjahn
Los Angeles Dodgers
Preserving a combined shutout, Tanner Scott navigated around two hits and induced a game-ending Josh Jung groundout for his seventh save. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) without a whiff.
He’s been scoreless in his last seven outings, converting six saves with six strikeouts and no walks. Through 11 innings, he has a 1.00 WHIP with 10 strikeouts (24.4 K-BB%) over 11 innings.
- Kirby Yates notched his fifth hold with a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded two strikeouts. He extended his scoreless streak to six games with 10 strikeouts against two walks in his last 5.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Blake Treinen | Kirby Yates
*= match-up-based with Scott as the primary closer
Milwaukee Brewers
Save number two for Trevor Megill. He was called upon with runners on second and third with one out at the top of the ninth. He induced a sacrifice fly by Tyler Soderstrom and recorded a game-ending strikeout of Shea Langeliers, throwing five pitches (80 Strike%) with one whiff (20 SwStr%). He did get a little help on a called strike during a 1-1 count against Shea Langeliers:
He’s converted two of three save opportunities this year with a 1.42 WHIP and nine strikeouts versus four walks (18.5 K-BB%) over 6.1 innings.
- Bryan Hudson gave up a hit, two earned runs, and two walks in one-third of the ninth.
- Grant Anderson retired the side in the eighth.
- Abner Uribe notched his sixth hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Jared Koenig
Minnesota Twins
Another rough outing for Griffin Jax. He took over with a three-run lead at the bottom of the eighth in Atlanta. He issued Marcell Ozuna a one-out walk, followed by consecutive singles, including Ozzie Albies’ RBI one, and after another walk, was removed. Cole Sands let all three inherited runners score on Michael Harris II’s two-RBI single and a pinch-hit single by Drake Baldwin. Jax suffered his second loss but gets credit for his fifth hold, allowing two hits, four earned runs, and two walks while striking out one during one-third of an inning. He’s a must-sit in any format right now. Sands was tagged with his second blown save, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning.
- Danny Coulombe gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh for his second hold.
- Louis Varland worked a scoreless sixth, walking and striking out one for his third hold.
We plan on Jax working in lower-leveraged situations, and the team may activate Brock Stewart as soon as today.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Jhoan Durán | Danny Coulombe | Louis Varland
New York Mets
Handed a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Huascar Brazobán allowed Brendan Donovan’s game-tying solo home run and recorded three strikeouts. He was tagged with his first blown save and collected his first win via a walk-off home run at the bottom of the frame. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- Ryne Stanek was in line for the win after firing a clean eighth and striking out one. He has a 0.82 WHIP with nine strikeouts against three walks over 7.1 innings.
- Max Kranick stranded a runner and logged 1.2 scoreless frames while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | A.J. Minter | Ryne Stanek
St. Louis Cardinals
At the bottom of the tenth, Ryan Fernandez gave up Francisco Lindor’s walk-off home run, resulting in his second loss. In case you were curious:
- Phil Maton allowed two hits and an unearned run while striking out one over 1.1 innings. A throwing error on a pick-off attempt, followed by an RBI single, scored the go-ahead run in the eighth.
- JoJo Romero issued two walks and retired one batter in one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero
Random Observations:
- Chicago White Sox: Summoned with one out at the bottom of the seventh, Jordan Leasure retired Rob Refsnyder and Kristian Campbell via strikeout on 10 pitches (60 Strike%) with two whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in four of his last five games and recorded multiple strikeouts in three (7:3 K:BB last four innings).
- Cincinnati Reds: Finishing a five-run win, Alexis Díaz retired the Orioles’ 3-4-5 hitters, one via strikeout on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- Kansas City Royals: Hopefully, there is good news about Lucas Erceg, who was struck by a comebacker in the ankle, forcing him out of last night’s contest in this report by the team’s account on X.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: In an eventual loss, Justin Lawrence fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last eight games, spanning 8.2 innings, with 12 strikeouts against four walks (26.7 K-BB%).
- San Francisco Giants: Randy Rodríguez retired the side in the seventh. He’s posted a win, two holds, and 13 strikeouts against zero walks (37.1 K-BB%) across 9.2 scoreless frames in his first 10 appearances.
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