Though small, Thursday’s nine-game slate yielded five reliever wins and seven saves against four losses and two blown saves. There was also no shortage of hot topics with Arizona’s staff deciding its “closer” was unavailable, a potential closer controversy brewing in San Francisco, and curious usage patterns by the Brewers during a late-inning collapse.
Three Takeaways
(1) J-Mart down by decision: With a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Torey Lovullo did not get his closer ready for the save chance. He explains the thought process in this video posted on X by Jack Sommers. Ryne Nelson took over at the top of the seventh and remained in the game at the top of the ninth with a one-run lead. After recording a strikeout, he allowed three consecutive singles, including Yandy Díaz’s game-tying RBI one, before retiring Brandon Lowe on a pop-out. However, Nelson suffered his first blown save, giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out five. Shelby Miller retired Jonathan Aranda via strikeout, his only batter faced in the ninth, causing fantasy players to wonder why he was not used for the save chance if Martinez was down. J.P. Feyereisen took over in the tenth. He gave up two hits, three runs (two earned), and struck out one, resulting in his first loss—another masterclass with Torey Lovullo.
Although it may not be imminent, Kevin Ginkel made his first rehab outing last night, covered in this post by Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic:
It appears fantasy players must treat Justin Martinez like Félix Bautista when they pitch and plan on them being off the next game.
Hierarchy Remains: Justin Martinez | Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks
(2) Doval makes his case: Completing the comeback, Camilo Doval recorded his fifth save, navigating around a four-pitch walk to Caleb Durbin leading off the top of the ninth and a two-out single by Christian Yelich with a game-ending flyout, preserving a one-run win. He threw 16 pitches (7 strikes – 43.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff. His command was not pristine in this outing, but he escaped unscathed:
He’s posted a 0.92 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus five walks (6.3 K-BB%) in 12 innings.
As for roles, after the game, Bob Melvin remained non-committal about a change, covered in this game recap by Maria Guardado of MLB.com:
Before this note, Melvin sounded a bit like Alex Cora:
For now, though, momentum lies in Doval’s favor:
Updated Hierarchy: *Ryan Walker | *Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
*= closer-by-committee
(3) Milwaukee’s leverage machinations: With one out and runners on second and third, Trevor Megill took over a tied game in San Francisco. He induced a lineout to left field, dropped by Christian Yelich, which was credited as a sacrifice fly, scoring the go-ahead run. Megill bore down and retired Jung Hoo Lee via strikeout. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Tyler Alexander was tagged with his second loss and a blown save, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the eighth. Nick Mears notched his third hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the seventh. Jared Koenig allowed a hit during a scoreless sixth for his fourth hold. Abner Uribe issued two walks and allowed Matt Chapman’s two-run home run in the fifth.
There have been no clear roles in the seventh or eighth innings leading to Megill, and by Fangraphs’ win probability added metric, he has been the worst reliever on the team:
Hopefully, roles become clearer, and this may be dictated by performance in the coming weeks.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Jared Koenig
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for April 25
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Bautista will be unavailable after pitching yesterday.
- Manuel Rodríguez (TB): Fairbanks and Uceta have pitched in consecutive contests.
- Trent Thornton (SEA): Muñoz has worked in back-to-back games.
- Steven Wilson (CHW): A deep league longshot, but he’s been their most stable reliever.
Vulture Save Stashes for April 26
- Shelby Miller (ARI): If Martinez pitches tonight, he will be off on Saturday per the “staff.”
- Steven Cruz (KC): If Estévez and Erceg pitch Friday night, it will be back-to-back appearances.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest for Thursday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Baltimore Orioles
Shutting the door on his second save, Félix Bautista gave up Kiebert Ruiz’s one-out single, then retired Nathaniel Lowe and Amed Rosario on consecutive groundouts, preserving the one-run win. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs while recording one strikeout.
This season, he owns a 1.57 WHIP with eight strikeouts against six walks (6.2 K-BB%) across seven innings. He’s not issued a walk in his last two appearances.
- Gregory Soto retired the side in the eighth for his fifth hold.
- Yennier Cano stranded a runner and retired his only batter, inducing groundout on his first pitch, securing his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Félix Bautista | Yennier Cano | Seranthony Domínguez
Chicago White Sox
During his team’s 25th game, and courtesy of the rain, Brandon Eisert recorded his first career save, preserving a combined shutout with a scoreless bottom of the seventh against the Twins. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) without a whiff, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Jordan Leasure notched his second hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless sixth, throwing 22 pitches (50 Strike%) with one whiff.
Updated Hierarchy: *Steven Wilson | *Cam Booser | *Jordan Leasure
*= match-up-based approach
Kansas City Royals
(Game 1) – Finishing a three-run win over the Rockies, Carlos Estévez retired the side on 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with one whiff.
He has a 1.17 WHIP with nine strikeouts and four walks (9.6 K-BB%) in 12 innings.
- Lucas Erceg secured his eighth hold, retiring the side and recording a strikeout in the eighth.
- Steven Cruz logged two scoreless frames, striking out one for his first hold.
- Angel Zerpa collected his first win. He took over at the top of the fifth and threw two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Daniel Lynch IV
Los Angeles Angels
After his team took the lead at the bottom of the eighth, Kenley Jansen preserved the one-run margin with his sixth save. He allowed Adam Frazier’s one-out single and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless ninth, throwing 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
He has a 0.88 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus two walks (20 K-BB%) through his first eight innings.
- Ryan Zeferjahn collected his second win, giving up a hit and striking out two at the top of the eighth.
- Ryan Johnson worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Seattle Mariners
Recording his American League-leading ninth save, Andrés Muñoz worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending strikeout of Kristian Campbell, closing the one-run win in Boston. He threw 18 pitches (61.1 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) while striking out two.
He’s posted a 0.846 WHIP with 17 strikeouts versus six walks (22.9 K-BB%) across 13 innings.
- Trent Thornton retired his only batter at the top of the eighth for his fifth hold.
- Gabe Speier gave up Carlos Narváez’s solo home run and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds of the eighth for his fifth hold.
- Collin Snider worked a clean seventh and recorded one strikeout for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Trent Thornton | Gabe Speier
Tampa Bay Rays
Handed a three-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Pete Fairbanks recorded his fourth save, issuing a walk and striking out one in a scoreless appearance. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 1.50 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus six walks (7.5 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings.
- Edwin Uceta collected his second win, working a scoreless bottom of the ninth despite allowing a Gabriel Moreno single. He’s on a modest five-game scoreless streak.
- Hunter Bigge logged two scoreless frames and issued one walk.
- Manuel Rodríguez fired a clean bottom of the sixth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Mason Montgomery
Texas Rangers
Called upon with a one-run lead at the bottom of the eighth, Luke Jackson stranded a runner, recording a strikeout against Brent Rooker. During the bottom of the ninth, he issued Max Schuemann a one-out walk, followed by Luis Urías’ single, with a fielding error by Leody Taveras scoring the game-tying run, putting the go-ahead run on second. After retiring Lawrence Butler via flyout, Jackson gave up Jacob Wilson’s walk-off single, resulting in his second loss and a blown save. He threw 21 pitches (11 strikes – 52.4 Strike%) and only induced two whiffs, finishing with two hits, two runs (one earned), a walk, and a strikeout in his combined inning of relief.
- Robert Garcia allowed a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth for his seventh hold.
- Chris Martin secured his seventh hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
- Hoby Milner stranded a runner despite issuing a walk and recorded both outs on strikeouts in the sixth for his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Jackson | Chris Martin | Robert Garcia
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Liam Hendriks navigated around a hit and three walks while striking out one in a scoreless top of the seventh. He threw 32 pitches (50 Strike%) and induced three whiffs. After three games, he has a 2.33 WHIP with two strikeouts against three walks in three innings.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Chase Shugart suffered his first loss, allowing Zach Neto’s go-ahead solo home run.
- The Athletics: Back from Triple-A, Grant Holman collected his first win in his first appearance of the season on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth and logged two scoreless frames against Texas. He threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Washington Nationals: During an eventual one-run loss, Cole Henry worked two scoreless frames, hitting a batter and issuing a walk (intentional – Gunnar Henderson) while recording four strikeouts. He threw 29 pitches (17 strikes – 58.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (13.8 SwStr%). Through his first four games, he’s posted a 0.64 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus one walk (38.8 K-BB%) across 4.2 innings.
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Statistical Credits: