Though small, Monday’s eight-game slate proved mighty for save streamers. Relievers recorded six saves with five by the “second” in-line designation on our updated hierarchies. There were also three wins and two losses in yesterday’s contests by relief pitchers. Today’s takeaways focus on evolving leverage ladders in Boston, Miami, and Detroit.
Three Takeaways
(1) Slaten shines in the ninth: Securing his third save, Justin Slaten fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout on 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) while generating four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
He faced the 5-6-7 lineup pocket in this outing and has posted a 0.56 WHIP with eight strikeouts against one walk (21.9 K-BB%) over nine innings. He’s retired the last 21 batters he’s faced and riding a seven-game scoreless streak. Aroldis Chapman faced the top of the White Sox lineup in the eighth, giving up Andrew Benintendi’s solo home run and recording a strikeout for his first hold. He’s won two of three decisions while converting all four save chances with 14 strikeouts against four walks (25.6 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings. Alex Cora said in the preseason there would be times Chapman would be used against certain hitters or individual match-ups in the eighth inning, with Monday being another example. In his post-game conference, he intimated the team has multiple “closers” capable of handling the ninth inning. We are not changing the hierarchy, but Slaten could emerge as a viable option in mixed leagues if these trends continue.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Garrett Whitlock
(2) Tinoco gets the call: Preserving a three-run lead, Jesús Tinoco retired the side for his second save in as many days. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) without a whiff against the Reds’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket.
He has a 1.228 WHIP with two strikeouts versus three walks (-4.2 K-BB%) across 5.2 innings. However, he has been scoreless over his last four appearances. According to this note on “X,” the team will continue to mix and match during the high-leverage innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Calvin Faucher | *Jesús Tinoco | Anthony Bender
*= closer-by-committee
(3) Vest proves capable: Facing the Padres’ 8-9-1 hitters, Will Vest retired the side and recorded a game-ending strikeout of Fernando Tatis Jr. for his second save. He threw 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (20 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.62 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against three walks (20 K-BB%) across 9.2 innings. For context, Tommy Kahnle had appeared in three of the previous four contests, giving him the night off. However, he was used in the eighth inning against Bobby Witt Jr., his last appearance, and if this sort of usage pattern persists, Vest enters the conversation as a save option in 12 and 15-team mixed formats. We will monitor this closely. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Tommy Kahnle | Will Vest | Tyler Holton
Speaking of streaming for saves:
Vulture Save Options for April 22
- Daysbel Hernández (ATL): Iglesias has pitched in three of the previous four days, and threw 25 pitches in a non-save outing last night.
- Ryne Stanek (NYM): Díaz has worked in four of the last six games, throwing 64 pitches since April 16, he could be unavailable tonight.
Vulture Save Stash for April 23
- Tony Santillan (CIN): If Pagán pitches tonight, it will be back-to-back appearances.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Atlanta Braves
Instead of a save chance, Raisel Iglesias took over the ninth with a four-run lead. It proved beneficial since he struggled with his command. He allowed three hits, including Willson Contreras’ two-run home run with two outs, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
He threw 25 pitches (60 Strike%) and only induced two whiffs (8 SwStr%). It’s a blip, and he has a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus two walks (19.4 K-BB%) through nine innings.
- Daysbel Hernández allowed a walk during a scoreless eighth and collected his second win courtesy of a five-run rally at the bottom of the frame.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Daysbel Hernández | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds
Appearing for the first time since April 17, Emilio Pagán retired the side at the bottom of the eighth on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) without a whiff.
He has a 0.48 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus one walk (22.2 K-BB%) through 10.1 innings.
- Alexis Díaz stranded two runners at the bottom of the sixth but allowed a pinch-hit Kyle Stowers three-run home run in the seventh. He finished with three hits against, three earned runs, and a walk over 1.1 innings. Outings like this will prevent him from future high-leverage situations. He may need a fresh start with another organization.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Cleveland Guardians
Finishing a two-run win over the Yankees, Cade Smith navigated around Oswaldo Cabrera’s one-out single with consecutive strikeouts against Austin Wells and Aaron Judge while recording his first save. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven, posting 12 strikeouts against three walks over 7.1 innings. He has a 1.08 WHIP with 16 strikeouts versus four walks (24 K-BB%) over 12 innings. Emmanuel Clase had appeared in the three previous games, necessitating a night off.
- Joey Cantillo notched his first hold, issuing a walk and striking out one in one-third of the eighth.
- Paul Sewald gave up two hits, including Jazz Chisolm’s two-run home run at the top of the eighth, and recorded one strikeout in 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
New York Mets
Answering the call with two runners on and no outs at the top of the ninth, Edwin Díaz induced a flyout, then allowed Bryson Stott’s three-run home run before recording consecutive strikeouts of Trea Turner and Bryce Harper for his sixth save. He threw 11 pitches (90.1 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%).
Through 9.2 innings, he has a 1.34 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against six walks (21.4 K-BB%).
- Max Kranick was credited with his first hold, giving up four hits and three earned runs over two innings.
- Reed Garrett recorded his seventh hold, stranding a runner while yielding a hit and striking out one in two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | A.J. Minter | Ryne Stanek
San Francisco Giants
Closing a three-run win over the Brewers, Camilo Doval retired the 7-8-9 hitters in order, one via strikeout, for his third save. He threw an efficient seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff (14.3 SwStr%).
He’s been streaky early this year but extended his scoreless streak to five games, during which he has a 0.20 WHIP with five strikeouts versus one walk (20 K-BB%) over five innings.
- Hayden Birdsong collected his first win, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out four across three scoreless frames, throwing 49 pitches (30 strikes – 61.2 Strike%) with seven whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Ryan Walker
St. Louis Cardinals
In order of appearance, Kyle Leahy secured his third hold, tossing a clean seventh and striking out one against Atlanta’s 7-8-9 lineup pocket.
Phil Maton entered against the top of the batting order, allowing a one-out infield single by Austin Riley, walked Marcell Ozuna, who was replaced by a pinch-runner, a game-tying Matt Olson RBI single, and issued another walk before his removal.
JoJo Romero took over the bases-loaded situation and induced a sacrifice fly, then gave up Sean Murphy’s three-run home run.
- Maton gets tagged with his first loss and a blown save, allowing two hits, four earned runs, and two walks while striking out one in one-third of the eighth. Romero gave up a hit and an earned run while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero
Quick Hits
- Houston Astros: Taking the baton from Hunter Brown at the top of the eighth, Forrest Whitley completed the combined shutout with two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 32 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (12.5 SwStr%) during his season debut.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Grant Anderson allowed a go-ahead Wilmer Flores solo home run and recorded two strikeouts in the sixth, resulting in his first loss.
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