In a word, Saturday was chaotic in the closer ecosystem. Pittsburgh recalled David Bednar, the Dodgers placed Blake Treinen on the 15-day injured list with forearm tightness, and Arizona placed A.J. Puk on the 15-day injured list with a pending MRI regarding his elbow inflammation. During the full slate of contests, relievers recorded nine wins and ten saves while suffering six losses and a blown save. Today’s takeaways focus on Devin Williams‘ continued struggles, another Jordan Romano meltdown, and the return of the “Renegade.”
Closer CliffsNotes
(1) The Airbender vs. batting average on balls in play (BAbip): Taking over with a four-run at the bottom of the ninth, it seemed like a Yankees win was pending. However, the non-save situation took a turn with some spotty defense, soft contact, and an untimely walk. Devin Williams recorded a groundout, then José Caballero reached on an infield single, though Oswald Cabrera’s throw could have been scored an error. Instead of two outs, there was a runner on first with one when Ben Rortvedt drew a walk. Then Chandler Simpson’s RBI opposite field double, Yandy Díaz scored a run on an infield single, and Brandon Lowe drove in two on a single, tying the game. Williams finished with four hits, four earned runs, and a walk while throwing 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2 Strike%) with one whiff. Through nine games, his WHIP sits at 2.25 with eight strikeouts against seven walks (2.4 K-BB%) across eight innings. He intimated he may be throwing too many change-ups, but his usage rate aligns with 2023. He’s struggling with contact, BAbip, and reduced whiff rates with both pitches. First, his splits-by-pitch from the last three years:
And his batted ball metrics:
Fantasy managers must monitor his weighted on-base average (wOBA) with the four-seam, currently at .511 with a .625 BAbip; these must improve. His barrel rate and hard-hit percentages point toward some bad luck, but better results will be required for the closer. Those who can pick up Luke Weaver as a handcuff should do so, but it’s not at Defcon 1 by any means yet for Williams.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Mark Leiter Jr.
(2) Romano’s implosion, again: Entering with a seven-run against Miami, Jordan Romano went nuclear in the ninth. He pounded the strike zone, throwing 18 of his 22 pitches for strikes (81.2 Strike%). However, he allowed six hits, including two home runs and six earned runs while recording two outs. His WHIP jumps to 2.208 through 7.2 innings.
He did touch 100 miles per hour in this outing, but his velocity dipped after maxing out:
His SIERA (4.25) and expected ERA (5.33) do not provide hope for future save chances and he’s struggling with both of his pitches:
- Romano’s slider: .496 wOBA, 1.167 OPS, 8.8 swinging strike percentage
- Romano’s 4-seam: .557 wOBA, 1.333 OPS, 12.1 swinging strike percentage
José Alvarado notched his fifth save, throwing two pitches and inducing a game-ending Xavier Edwards flyout, preserving a one-run win. This outing snapped a streak of allowing at least a run in two games, and he’s converted all five save chances with a 1.34 WHIP and 14 strikeouts against two walks (28.5 K-BB%) over 9.2 innings. Matt Strahm collected his first win, giving up two hits in a scoreless top of the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: *José Alvarado | *Orion Kerkering | Matt Strahm
*= floating closer concept
(3) Bednar’s return: It started like dejá vù all over again for David Bednar, appearing during a shutout loss. His outing began with a lineout, followed by Bo Naylor’s single (Adam Frazier made an error) and an Angel Martinez single up the middle, putting two on with one out. However, Bednar bore down, striking out Lane Thomas and Brayan Rocchio for a scoreless return from Triple-A. He threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%). These are steps in the right direction, especially in terms of his resilience. He’s a viable stash for mixed leagues, but keep him on the bench until he’s used in a save situation.
Hierarchy Remains: Dennis Santana | Caleb Ferguson | David Bednar
For the save streamers, a slippery forecast based on usage patterns and availability:
Vulture Save Options for April 20
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Bautista recorded a save, and warmed up twice making him unavailable for today’s contest.
- Fernando Cruz (NYY): Williams threw 22 pitches during a rough outing. Weaver and Leiter Jr. have worked in back-to-back games.
- Ryne Stanek (NYM): Díaz, Minter, and Garrett have pitched in three of the previous four games.
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Clase has appeared in two consecutive games, but only thrown 15 pitches.
- Daysbel Hernández (ATL): Iglesias has pitched in back-to-back games, though he has only thrown 20 pitches.
**Fourteen teams are off on Monday, and today’s usage patterns will determine tomorrow’s vultures, if any.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Answering the call with two runners on and no outs, Félix Bautista shut the doro on his second save, stranding both runners and retiring the Reds’ 7-8-9 hitters in order, one via strikeout. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%). He owns a 1.67 WHIP with seven strikeouts against six walks (3.6 K-BB%) through six innings.
- Matt Bowman created the mess, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk without recording an out.
- Yennier Cano secured his fourth hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Gregory Soto issued two walks and recorded two outs in the seventh for his fourth hold.
- Seranthony Domínguez stranded two runners in the sixth and worked a scoreless combined inning, yielding a hit and striking out one, resulting in being awarded his second win.
Hierarchy Remains: Félix Bautista | Yennier Cano | Seranthony Domínguez
Boston Red Sox
Despite walking the lead-off batter at the top of the tenth, Garrett Whitlock stranded the “ghost” runner by retiring the next three batters, two via strikeout, and collected his first win on a walk-off at the bottom of the frame.
- Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out one on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff. He has a 1.20 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against four walks (26.4 K-BB%) through 8.1 innings.
- Justin Slaten fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Greg Weissert was tagged with his first blown save, allowing two hits, including a game-tying two-run home run by Luis Robert Jr., and one walk in the seventh. His teammates did him no favors, not converting a double-play opportunity on a Nick Maton groundout.
- Liam Hendriks was activated but was not used during high-leverage situations, signaling he will be eased into them.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Garrett Whitlock
Cleveland Guardians
Navigating around a lead-off double on a controversial call at third base, cutting the runner down, Emmanuel Clase retired the next two batters, finishing the combined shutout and his fourth save. He threw six pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff while facing Pittsburgh’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He’s posted a 1.93 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus two walks (15.3 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings.
- Hunter Gaddis recorded two outs, one via strikeout, for his sixth hold in the eighth.
- Tim Herrin stranded a runner and retired all three batters, two on strikeouts for his fourth hold.
- Cade Smith stranded two runners in the sixth but allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over a combined inning of relief.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
Detroit Tigers
Filling in capably at the top of the ninth, Will Vest secured his first save, navigating around a two-out walk and a single with a game-ending pop-out for a scoreless outing and first save. He threw 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%) entering against the Royals’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket.
Hierarchy Remains: Tommy Kahnle | Will Vest | Tyler Holton
Houston Astros
Working around a lead-off double, Josh Hader retired the next three Padres’, preserving the one-run win and converting his sixth save. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff in this outing.
He has a 0.636 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against two walks (27.5 K-BB%) over 11 innings.
- Bryan Abreu recorded his seventh hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Tayler Scott collected his first win, retiring all six batters and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Seattle Mariners
Handed a five-run lead at the top of the 12th, Casey Lawrence let the “ghost” runner score while retiring the side, finishing the extra-inning victory. Andrés Muñoz issued Vlad Guerrero Jr. an intentional walk and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the 11th, then collected his first win courtesy of a five-run top of the 12th. He has a 0.91 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus five walks (21.9 K-BB%) across 11 scoreless innings.
- Eduard Bazardo tossed a clean tenth.
- Carlos Vargas logged two scoreless frames, scattering three hits.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Trent Thornton | Gabe Speier
Tampa Bay Rays
After stranding two runners at the top of the ninth, Edwin Uceta returned for the tenth and worked around Trent Grisham’s lead-off single with consecutive strikeouts, followed by an inning-ending flyout. He earned his first win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. Uceta threw 21 pitches (17 strikes – 80.9 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) while striking out three over his 1.1 scoreless frames.
- Pete Fairbanks allowed three hits, two earned runs, and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of the ninth. He struggled with his command, throwing only 14 strikes of his 29 pitches (48.3 Strike%) with one whiff. His WHIP rose to 1.70, and he posted eight strikeouts versus five walks (8.8 K-BB%).
- Mason Montgomery tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and a walk.
- Hunter Bigge fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Mason Montgomery
Texas Rangers
Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Jacob Webb collected his second win after logging two clean frames and recording one strikeout. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
- Robert Garcia navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out two at the top of the seventh. He has been scoreless in his last four appearances.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Jackson | Chris Martin | Robert Garcia
The Athletics
Taking the baton from Luis Servino at the top of the ninth, Mason Miller matched up against the top of the Brewers’ lineup and induced a Brice Turang flyout, then recorded consecutive strikeouts while securing his sixth save. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
He’s racked up 14 strikeouts against one walk (54.1 K-BB%) with a 0.57 WHIP through seven scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Tyler Ferguson | José Leclerc
National League
Atlanta Braves
Save number four for Raisel Iglesias. He preserved a one-run win over the Twins with a clean top of the ninth while striking out one on 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
He’s recorded a 0.625 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus one walk (24.2 K-BB%) through eight innings.
- Dylan Lee worked a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts for his third hold.
- Daysbel Hernández notched his second hold with a clean seventh.
- Pierce Johnson stranded one of two inherited runners and was awarded his first win, retiring both batters at the top of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Daysbel Hernández | Dylan Lee
Los Angeles Dodgers
Taking over with a one-run lead against his former teammates, Kirby Yates suffered his first loss and a blown save, allowing Josh Smith’s lead-off double, followed by Adolis García’s walk-off, two-run home run. This outing snapped Yates’ six-game scoreless streak and moved his WHIP to 1.06. He has posted 20 strikeouts against three walks (40.5 K-BB%) through 10.2 innings.
- Alex Vesia stranded a runner and retired his only batter, Corey Seager, via strikeout for his seventh hold.
- Evan Phillips made his season debut, giving up a hit and striking out two over two-thirds scoreless in the eighth for his first hold.
- Jack Dreyer fired a clean seventh, securing his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Kirby Yates | Alex Vesia
*= match-up-based approach with a preferred save share
New York Mets
Shutting the door in a combined shutout and his fifth save, Edwin Díaz fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts against the Cardinals’ 6-7-8 hitters. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%).
He has a 1.38 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against six walks (18.4 K-BB%) through 8.2 innings.
- A.J. Minter notched his fifth hold despite issuing three walks in a scoreless eighth.
- Reed Garrett stranded two runners in the sixth and retired all four batters for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | A.J. Minter | Ryne Stanek
San Francisco Giants
Recording the save in his team’s fourth win in six one-run games, Ryan Walker allowed Jorge Soler’s one-out single during a scoreless ninth. He threw 19 pitches (47.4 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%).
He has a 0.63 WHIP with six strikeouts versus one walk (16.7 K-BB%) over eight innings.
- Tyler Rogers secured his sixth hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
Washington Nationals
A white-knuckle ride in Coors with Kyle Finnegan resulted in his seventh save. His outing began with a lead-off Hunter Goodman walk, a leverage no-no, especially in these surroundings. After recording consecutive strikeouts, Finnegan uncorked a wild pitch, then gave up Mickey Moniak’s RBI triple before a game-ending strikeout of Jordan Beck. He threw 28 pitches (17 strikes – 60.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. He’s posted 11 strikeouts versus five walks (16.2 K-BB%) with a 1.38 WHIP through 8.2 innings.
- Jose A. Ferrer allowed a hit, two earned runs, and a walk over 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Jose A. Ferrer | Lucas Sims
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