Monday’s 12-game slate resulted in relievers recording three wins and five saves while suffering two losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Jeff Hoffman | 11 | 13 | 69.2 | 23.1 | 0:0 |
| Trevor Megill | 10 | 34 | 55.9 | 8.8 | 0:3 |
| Félix Bautista | 8 | 10 | 70 | 30 | 2:0 |
| Will Vest | 6 | 16 | 56.3 | 6.3 | 1:0 |
| Daniel Palencia | 3 | 13 | 61.5 | 7.7 | 2:0 |
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for May 27
- Devin Williams (NYY): Weaver has pitched in consecutive games and thrown 46 pitches.
- Reed Garrett (NYM): Díaz has pitched in three of the previous four days.
- Jeremiah Estrada (SD): Suarez, Adam, and Morejon pitched in the last two games.
- Brad Keller (CHC): Palencia and Pomeranz have worked in back-to-back contests.
- Jared Koenig (MIL): Megill and Uribe need a day off. Also, those seeking multiple innings can target Aaron Ashby.
Vulture Save Stashes for May 28
- Ben Casparius (LAD): If Scott pitches tonight, it will be consecutive games.
- Andrew Kittredge (BAL): If Bautista pitches in today’s contest, it will be back-to-back appearances.
Three Takeaways
(1) Overbrewed in Milwaukee: Pitching for the sixth time in nine days, Trevor Megill hung on for his tenth save during a traffic-infused outing against the Red Sox. It began with a one-out walk, and with two outs, he issued a second walk, followed by Jarren Duran’s RBI single. Megill loaded the bases with an intentional walk to Rafael Devers before inducing a game-ending flyout, preserving the one-run win. He threw 34 pitches (19 strikes – 55.9 Strike%) and only produced three whiffs (8.8 SwStr%).
This marks his second appearance with three walks this season, though one was intentional, and he has converted all seven save chances in May. Abner Uribe let his only inherited runner on Carlos Narvaez’s single, then retired the next two batters, including an inning-ending double play groundout for his 14th hold. DL Hall collected his first win, logging 2.1 innings, giving up two hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out one.
Outings like this are not always the reliever’s fault. Here are the usage patterns for the leverage relievers since May 18:
Here are some notes of interest for three relievers:
- Trevor Megill: He has thrown 101 pitches over his last six outings since May 18 and produced a 5:4 K:BB. Despite a 1.25 WHIP, he converted all five save chances. He should get the next two days off.
- Abner Uribe: He is tied for the most appearances among all MLB relievers with 27 in his team’s first 51 games. He has also logged six outings since May 18, throwing 112 pitches with 11 strikeouts against three walks and a 1-1 record, one save, and three holds.
- Jared Koenig: He has appeared in 26 of his team’s first 51 games and has only thrown 72 pitches since May 18 with four strikeouts against one walk.
Curt Hogg intimated the team would use Aaron Ashby and DL Hall for multiple-inning outings to provide the high-leverage triumvirate more rest in this column for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal.
(2) Pagán and regression: Emilio Pagán allowed Vinnie Pasquantino’s lead-off single and hit Salvador Perez with a pitch before recording an out in a non-save appearance. However, he issued a one-out walk, loading the bases, before striking out Drew Waters, balked in a run, then induced a game-ending flyout by Michael Massey, closing a three-run win. He threw 22 pitches (45.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (9.1 SwStr%).
The good news is that he has converted his last six save chances. However, he has allowed at least a run in five of ten games in May with a 1.495 WHIP, striking out 15 versus five walks (20.4 K-BB%) across 10.2 innings. This small sample of regression may reverse. Through 25 games, he has a 3.96 ERA with a 3.04 SIERA and 3.37 xERA. He has also incurred some heavy usage patterns, which should be monitored, but he has emerged as Terry Francona’s closer this season.
(3) Palencia shoves again: If one believes possession is nine-tenths of the law, the closer situation in Chicago may be settled in the interim. Shutting the door on his third save, Daniel Palencia fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff (7.7 SwStr%).
He’s converted a save in his last three appearances and been scoreless in nine of ten games this month with a 0.90 WHIP while striking out 12 against three walks (23.1 K-BB%) across ten innings. As great as he has been, we cannot ignore his 3.30 SIERA and 3.37 xERA or his 45.3 hard-hit percentage against. His 86.1 Z-contact (in the strike zone) also sits above the league average. He has been terrific, and this can parlay into him retaining the role going forward, with some expected migration toward the mean.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Baltimore Orioles – Nailing down his eighth save, Félix Bautista finished a three-run win over the Cardinals with a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts while facing the 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%).
After a rough patch, he has been scoreless in his last two outings but owns a 1.257 WHIP with 19 strikeouts against 11 walks (11.4 K-BB%) across 16.2 innings.
- Yennier Cano notched his ninth hold with a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Seranthony Domínguez fired a clean seventh and struck out two, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Félix Bautista | Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
Chicago White Sox – Entering a tied game at the bottom of the eighth with a runner on and one out, Steven Wilson issued Pete Alonso an intentional walk, hit Starling Marte with a pitch, and induced an inning-ending lineout by Brett Baty. Returning for the ninth, Wilson gave up a lead-off double, handed out another intentional walk (Jeff McNeil), allowed a single, then a walk-off Francisco Lindor sacrifice fly, resulting in his first loss. Chicago is now 3-13 (.231) in one-run games this season, less than optimal. For a team that has to win on the margins, this bullpen has not performed well during high-leverage situations.
- Cam Booser allowed two hits, an earned run, and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds of the eighth, getting tagged with his second blown save.
- Brandon Eisert notched his third hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Cam Booser | *Jordan Leasure | *Steven Wilson
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Sealing a two-run win, Will Vest tossed a scoreless top of the ninth against the Giants’ 4-5-6-7 hitters, working around a lead-off single by retiring the next three batters, one via strikeout for his sixth save. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff (6.3 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in nine out of ten appearances this month with 13 strikeouts versus four walks (18.8 K-BB%) through 12 innings.
- Tommy Kahnle notched his sixth hold, retiring the side at the top of the eighth.
- Beau Brieske tossed a scoreless seventh despite issuing a walk.
- Brenan Hanifee let one of two inherited runners score, allowing a hit during two-thirds of the sixth.
- Tyler Holton was credited with his fifth hold, giving up two hits and an earned run while recording one out in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Vest | *Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee with a preferred save share (Vest)
Miami Marlins – Entering at the bottom of the 11th, Cade Gibson suffered his second loss. After retiring Gavin Sheets on a groundout, moving the “place” runner to third, he intentionally walked Xander Bogaerts and threw a wild pitch, scoring the game-winning run.
- Tyler Phillips logged two scoreless frames while allowing a walk.
- Calvin Faucher gave up Manny Machado’s game-tying solo home run at the bottom of the eighth, getting tagged with his third blown save.
- Jesús Tinoco notched his fourth hold, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings while giving up a hit and stranding a runner at the bottom of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ronny Henriquez | *Calvin Faucher | *Anthony Bender
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Taking over a tied contest at the top of the ninth, Edwin Díaz worked around a two-out walk with an inning-ending strikeout. He collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 11 pitches (45.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
Díaz extended his scoreless streak to 11 games since April 26, during which he has converted all five save chances with a .708 WHIP and 14 strikeouts versus five walks (21.4 K-BB) through 11.1 innings.
- José Castillo stranded a runner, issuing a walk and striking out at the top of the eighth.
- Huascar Brazobán logged 1.1 scoreless frames, walking and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Ryne Stanek
New York Yankees – Despite his team leading by four, Luke Weaver pitched the bottom of the ninth against the Angels, issuing a one-out walk, allowing a stolen base with two outs and a single putting runners at the corners, but induced a game-ending pop-out by Jo Adell. Weaver finished with a hit and a walk during a scoreless appearance, throwing 25 pitches (60 Strike%) and producing two whiffs (8 SwStr%). After retiring all 16 batters between his outings from May 13 through 22 while recording seven strikeouts, he has given up four hits, an earned run, and one walk in his last two.
- Mark Leiter Jr. stranded a runner despite allowing a hit and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Yerry De Los Santos logged 1.1 scoreless, yielding a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Weaver | Devin Williams | Jonathan Loásiga
San Diego Padres – Collecting his second win, Adrian Morejon retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the 11th against the Marlins’ 2-3-4 hitters ahead of his team’s walk-off rally.
- Jason Adam fired a clean tenth, striking out one on 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- Robert Suarez preserved a tie game, working a scoreless ninth. He allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout while throwing 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He has posted a 0.87 WHIP with 23 strikeouts through 23 innings while converting 17 of 19 save chances.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Tampa Bay Rays – Although he warmed up for a potential save, Mason Montgomery settled for a scoreless top of the ninth, securing a five-run win after his teammates plated four runs at the bottom of the eighth. He allowed a two-out single and recorded a strikeout on 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Manuel Rodríguez notched his eighth hold, retiring the side against the Twins’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket.
- Garrett Cleavinger was credited with his seventh hold despite giving up Carlos Correa’s home run, scoring an inherited runner, and putting an earned run on his ledger during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Garrett Cleavinger
Toronto Blue Jays – Preserving a one-run win in Texas, Jeff Hoffman retired the side while facing the 3-4-5 lineup pocket on 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
It’s been a tumultuous May for the closer. He has allowed multiple runs in four of his 10 appearances, resulting in a 1-2 record while converting five of eight save opportunities. Hope lies in his 67.5 strike percentage and 14.4 percent swinging strike rate of 160 pitches this month and not allowing four home runs. He has been scoreless in three of his last four games. I’m hoping he bounces back toward his early-season dominance.
Updated Hierarchy: Jeff Hoffman | Yariel Rodríguez | Chad Green
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: With the bases loaded and no outs at the top of the eighth, Torey Lovullo called upon Justin Martinez to face Bryan Reynolds. After getting ahead, Martinez nibbled but produced a strikeout on a 3-2 count, then retired the next two batters, preserving the combined shutout while securing his fourth hold. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Colorado Rockies: Appearing during a two-run loss, Zach Agnos retired the Cubs’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket on five pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last four appearances.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Finishing a five-run win, Luis García worked around a hit for a scoreless bottom of the ninth in Cleveland. Tanner Scott faced the 2-3-4-5 hitters, giving up José Ramírez’s one-out double and recording a strikeout in a scoreless eighth. He threw 24 pitches (19 strikes – 79.2 Strike%) with three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
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