Full-slate Tuesdays provide a bevy of high-leverage events; last night, they featured a run of fives. Relievers recorded five wins, five losses, five saves, and five blown saves. Justin Martinez was not quite ready for game action; Minnesota held on in the ninth courtesy of Byron Buxton. Will a closer controversy happen in Cleveland? Covered in today’s takeaways.
Three Takeaways
(1) Down in the desert: With a three-run lead entering the bottom of the eighth, Arizona’s broadcast showed Shelby Miller warming up for the save, not Justin Martinez, who last appeared in a game on April 17. When the lead grew to four, Miller stopped throwing, and rookie Juan Morillo finished the game in a non-save capacity. However, the shoulder fatigue or dead-arm affecting Martinez remains a concern for fantasy managers, but Torey Lovullo hopes his high-leverage reliever will be ready on Wednesday per this video on X, shared by Jack Sommers. For now, no changes but those in deep leagues can add/stash Miller just in case.
Hierarchy Remains: Justin Martinez | Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks
(2) Should Buxton get the save instead? It’s been a strange start of the season for the Twins’ bullpen but Jhoan Durán held on for his second save despite traffic on the bases, benefiting from this game-ending catch by his center fielder. Durán loaded the bases with no outs at the top of the ninth, allowing a lead-off single, then issuing consecutive walks. He bore down with a strikeout and gave up an earned run on a fielder’s choice groundout, then with runners on second and third, the catch, securing his second save. However, he threw 32 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with six whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
He has a 1.06 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against six walks (9.3 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings. Hopefully, this appearance will be an outlier for him as he’s adapting his pitch mix by throwing more split-fingered fastballs this season and fewer four-seams.
Also from this contest, Louis Varland notched his fourth hold, retiring the side on seven pitches in the eighth. Griffin Jax gave up a one-out single and registered two strikeouts for a scoreless seventh, securing his sixth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jhoan Durán | Louis Varland | Griffin Jax
(3) Is there a closer controversy in Cleveland? Fantasy players have short memories, especially regarding a closer who converted 47 of 50 save opportunities last season. After appearing in three straight contests, Emmanuel Clase received a second night off, which opened the door for Cade Smith, who closed out a one-run win over the Yankees on four pitches for his second save in as many nights.
Clase’s batting average on balls in play struggles have been covered previously. He remains the team’s closer, as this column by Terry Pluto for Cleveland.com discusses. No matter how one feels this situation will play out, as eloquently shared by Pluto, “Clase is the closer…until he’s not.”
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
For the save streamers, a light forecast:
Vulture Save Options for April 23
- Lucas Erceg (KC): Estévez threw 27 pitches last night and has appeared in three of the previous four days, logging four innings.
- Louis Varland (MIN): Durán held on for the save while throwing 32 pitches last night and has appeared in two of the three previous contests.
Vulture Save Stashes for April 24
- Chris Martin (TEX): If Jackson and Garcia pitch today, it will be consecutive outings for both relievers.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Chicago Cubs
At the top of the tenth, Porter Hodge stranded the “place” runner and retired the side, one via strikeout, then collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
He has posted a 1.46 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus five walks (18 K-BB%) through 11.2 innings.
- Gavin Hollowell debuted with two scoreless frames and two strikeotus.
- Ethan Roberts gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh, though he let both inherited runners score.
- Brad Keller suffered his second blown save, giving up two hits, five runs (four earned), and two walks in one-third combined innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Julian Merryweather
Cincinnati Reds
Taking over at the bottom of the sixth with a runner on second, Graham Ashcraft recorded an inning-ending strikeout of Kyle Stowers. In the seventh, he allowed a lead-off double, induced a pop-out, and allowed a game-tying RBI single by Otto Lopez, followed by a strikeout, then made a throwing error on an infield hit, scoring the go-ahead run. Ashcraft gets tagged with his second loss and a blown save during his inning.
- Tony Santillan stranded two runners in the seventh, allowing a hit and a walk over two-thirds scoreless.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Colorado Rockies
After stranding the “place” runner at the bottom of the tenth, Tyler Kinley returned for the 11th, issuing consecutive intentional walks ahead of Freddy Fermin’s walk-off RBI single, resulting in his first loss. During his first blown save, Seth Halvorsen allowed two hits and an earned run on a sacrifice fly at the bottom of the ninth. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has a 1.85 WHIP with eight strikeouts against six walks through 8.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Seth Halvorsen | Tyler Kinley | Jake Bird
Houston Astros
Appearing in a non-save capacity, Josh Hader fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, closing a four-run win. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he’s posted 13 strikeouts against one walk (32.4 K-BB%) over 11 innings.
- Bryan Abreu retired the side in the eighth, striking out two.
- Bryan King stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the seventh for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Kansas City Royals
Collecting his third win on a walk-off at the bottom of the 11th, Daniel Lynch IV stranded the “place” runner, walking and striking out one at the top of the frames.
- John Schreiber worked a scoreless tenth despite issuing two walks.
- Following consecutive lineouts, Carlos Estévez issued three straight walks, then gave up a bases-emptying double with a 1-2 count in the ninth, plating three runs and handing him his second blown save. He owns a 1.27 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against nine walks through 11 innings.
- Lucas Erceg tossed a clean eighth for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Daniel Lynch IV
Los Angeles Dodgers
With the score tied at the bottom of the tenth, Noah Davis only threw one pitch, allowing Ian Happ’s walk-off RBI single, resulting in his first loss. Tanner Scott allowed Miguel Amaya’s game-tying solo home run in the ninth, suffering his second blown save. He threw 12 pitches (91.7 Strike%) without a whiff.
He has a 1.00 WHIP with 11 strikeouts (22.9 K-BB%) in 13 innings.
- Kirby Yates issued a walk and produced an inning-ending strikeout at the bottom of the eighth for his sixth hold.
- Alex Vesia gave up two hits, including Kyle Tucker’s two-run home run, and recorded two strikeouts for his eighth hold in the eighth.
- Luis Garcia tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out three, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Kirby Yates | Alex Vesia
*= match-up-based with a preferred save share
Miami Marlins
Back in the saddle at the top of the ninth, Calvin Faucher secured his second save, retiring the side and striking out one against the Reds’ 8-9-1 hitters. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) without a whiff.
He’s been scoreless over his last four appearances, with a win and two saves.
- Anthony Bender notched his second hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Lake Bachar collected his first win, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless seventh ahead of his team’s two-run rally at the bottom of the frame.
Hierarchy Remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Jesús Tinoco | Anthony Bender
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets
Closing a four-run win over the Phillies, José Buttó retired the side against the 8-9-1 lineup pocket on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Ryne Stanek navigated around two walks for a scoreless eighth.
- A.J. Minter secured his sixth hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out one.
- Huascar Brazobán gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless sixth for his third hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | A.J. Minter | José Buttó
Pittsburgh Pirates
In order of appearance, Chase Shugart collected his first win, tossing two clean frames and recording three strikeouts, taking over at the bottom of the fifth.
- David Bednar fired a clean seventh and recorded one strikeout on eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) with two whiffs (25 SwStr%) for his first hold.
- Justin Lawrence was credited with his third hold despite issuing two walks and striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Dennis Santana stranded both runners with an inning-ending strikeout, recording his third hold. He was in line for a four-out save, but when the lead grew to six, Ryan Borucki worked a clean ninth, striking out one in a non-save situation.
Updated Hierarchy: Dennis Santana | Justin Lawrence | David Bednar
San Diego Padres
Nailing down his MLB-leading tenth save, Robert Suarez retired the side, completing the combined strikeout, and recorded one strikeout in Detroit. He faced the 3-4-5 lineup pocket, throwing 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and inducing one whiff.
He’s posted 13 strikeouts against two walks (28.9 K-BB%) with a minuscule 0.455 WHIP across 11 scoreless innings.
- Jason Adam recorded his MLB-leading ninth hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
St. Louis Cardinals
Making his first appearance since April 16, Ryan Helsley displayed some rust, issuing two walks and striking out one during a scoreless bottom of the ninth, finishing a six-run win over Atlanta. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).
He’s produced a 1.63 WHIP with ten strikeouts versus eight walks (5.6 K-BB%) through eight innings.
- Kyle Leahy fired a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded one strikeout for his fourth hold.
- Steven Matz collected his second win, logging 2.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Entering at the top of the eighth, Enyel De Los Santos suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one against the Cardinals.
- Boston Red Sox: Finishing a five-run win, Liam Hendriks tossed a clean top of the ninth, throwing seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) without a whiff. Garrett Whitlock logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two for his third hold.
- New York Yankees: In an eventual one-run loss, Luke Weaver retired the side at the bottom of the eighth, throwing 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s posted a 0.58 WHIP with 13 strikeouts versus five walks in 12 innings.
- Philadelphia Phillies: It was another rough outing for Orion Kerkering. He took over with a runner on third and one out at the bottom of the seventh. He allowed Pete Alonso’s RBI double, walked Mark Vientos, threw a wild pitch, and intentionally walked Jesse Winker, followed by Luis Torrens’ two-RBI single. Kerkering has allowed five hits, five earned runs, and three walks over his last two appearances, spanning 1.1 innings. Jordan Romano worked a scoreless bottom of the sixth, walking and striking out one.
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