Wednesday’s slate proved volatile for relievers, illustrated by two blown saves accompanying the six wins accrued (Greg Weissert and Bennett Sousa) while suffering seven losses. There were also seven saves, from the one-out variety to two requiring multiple-inning efforts:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB | BF |
| Josh Hader | 27 | 18 | 61% | 27.8 | 2:0 | 4 |
| Emmanuel Clase | 23 | 12 | 75 | 0 | 2:0 | 3 |
| Edwin Díaz | 21 | 25 | 64 | 16 | 2:0 | 6 |
| Calvin Faucher | 9 | 22 | 63.6 | 4.5 | 0:0 | 6 |
| Robert Garcia | 8 | 12 | 66.7 | 50 | 2:0 | 4 |
| Dan Altavilla | 2 | 17 | 47.1 | 0 | 0:2 | 5 |
| Brennan Bernardino | 1 | 6 | 100 | 0 | 1:0 | 1 |
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for July 24
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): Hader has thrown 36 pitches the previous three days and 71 since July 19.
- Cade Smith (CLE): Clase has pitched in back-to-back games, though he could appear for a third by keeping low pitch counts in each.
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL): He was in line for the save chance yesterday with Félix Bautista not feeling “right.”
Vulture Save Stash for July 25
- Yariel Rodríguez (TOR): If Hoffman pitches tonight, it’s three appearances in four days, and he threw in four of the five previous games before Thursday’s game.
News, Notes, and Observations
Félix Bautista (BAL) was not available last night:
Mansolino indicated an update would be forthcoming today, which fantasy managers must monitor closely. Bautista threw a season-high 34 pitches on Sunday, working with reduced velocity:
His minimum velocity in this outing was 94.1 miles per hour, and his in-game chart reflects this recent trend:
Initial reports for Tanner Scott (LAD) are positive, but until there is a timeline, it’s tough for fantasy managers to plan on his rest-of-the-season impact:
As for his teammate, things went well for Blake Treinen during his rehab outing at Triple-A:
Treinen’s last hurdle will be an appearance tonight on consecutive days, and if successful, he could meet the team in Boston this weekend.
Last, but not least, Shelby Miller (ARI) is slated to throw live batting practice again on Friday:
Will this give him enough runway to return next week and possibly be traded? Time will tell.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Boston Red Sox –Pressed into action with a runner on first and two outs at the bottom of the 11th, Brennan Bernadino recorded his first career save, striking out Max Kepler and preserving a one-run win in Philadelphia.
- Jorge Alcala retired his first two batters faced, then let the “place” runner score on an RBI single by Johan Rojas and was removed, but was credited with his second hold.
- Greg Weissert allowed a hit and an unearned run while striking out one at the bottom of the tenth, suffering his sixth blown save, but also collected his third win.
- Garrett Whitlock fired a clean bottom of the ninth, keeping the game tied.
- Aroldis Chapman made his first point of entry in the seventh inning this season, but allowed a game-tying solo home run by J.T. Realmuto at the bottom of the eighth, resulting in his second blown save.
- Jordan Hicks allowed a hit and recorded two outs in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Jordan Hicks
Chicago White Sox – A white-knuckle ride at the bottom of the ninth ended in a second save for Dan Altavilla. He allowed an infield single, but the runner was tagged out returning to first, walked Danny Jansen, recorded a groundout, moved the runner to third with a wild pitch, walked José Caballero, then induced a game-ending lineout by Chadler Simpson, preserving the two-run lead. He threw 17 pitches (47.1 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Tyler Gilbert let two of three inherited runners score, but was awarded his second hold.
- Steven Wilson gave up two hits and two earned runs while striking out one during one-third of the eighth inning.
- Jordan Leasure worked around two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh while collecting his third win.
- Grant Taylor tossed a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: *Grant Taylor | *Jordan Leasure | *Dan Altavilla
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Nailing down his 23rd save, Emmanuel Clase fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out two, preserving a one-run lead against the Orioles. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff.
He has converted his last five save chances and been scoreless in his last seven games, posting a 0.39 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus zero walks (30.8 K-BB%).
- Hunter Gaddis earned his first win, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the eighth, ahead of his team’s go-ahead rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Nic Enright worked a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
Houston Astros – Securing his American League-leading 27th save, Josh Hader allowed Geraldo Perdomo’s two-out single, then recorded a game-ending strikeout of Ketel Marte, preserving a one-run lead in Arizona. He threw 18 pitches (61.1 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%) while striking out two.
He has made seven appearances this month, with three requiring four or more outs, posting a 1.556 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus six walks through nine innings.
- Bennett Sousa gave up four hits, two earned runs, and a walk at the bottom of the eighth, resulting in his first blown save. However, courtesy of his teammates’ rally at the top of the ninth, he collected his fourth win.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bennett Sousa
Miami Marlins – Forced into action at the top of the eighth with one out, Calvin Faucher took over with a runner on and stranded him by inducing a pop-out, giving up a single, and an inning-ending lineout by Luis Arraez. Returning for the ninth, he retired the 3-4-5 Padres’ lineup pocket, preserving the one-run lead for his ninth save. He finished with a hit against during 1.2 scoreless frames while throwing 22 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with one whiff.
This marked his first save since June 24.
- Cade Simpson allowed two hits and an earned run during one-third of the eighth, getting credit for his first hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ronny Henriquez | *Anthony Bender | *Calvin Faucher
*= highest-leverage reliever in a closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Griffin Jax recorded two quick outs before Mookie Betts reached on an infield single, following a check swing with two strikes not being ruled a swing. Jax intentionally walked Shohei Ohtani, then walked Esteury Ruiz to load the bases. After getting a 0-2 count on Freddie Freeman, he could not put him away, allowing an opposite field sinking line drive narrowly missed by Harrison Bader, resulting in a walk-off, two-RBI single. Jax gets tagged with his fifth loss and fifth blown save.
- Brock Stewart worked around a hit, a hit batter, and a walk (intentional – Will Smith) for a scoreless eighth and his 14th hold.
- Louis Varland let one of two inherited runners score, giving up a hit and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Louis Varland
New York Mets – Called upon with two outs and a runner on, Edwin Díaz hit Travis d’Arnaud with a pitch, then recorded a strikeout against Luis Renfigo. Returning for the ninth, he hit Chris Taylor leading off the inning and retired the next three hitters, one via strikeout for his 21st save. He threw 25 pitches (64 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (16 SwStr%) while striking out two.
Díaz has been scoreless since June 6, posting a 0.667 WHIP with 22 strikeouts against three walks (33.3 K-BB%) across 15.1 innings in his last 15 appearances.
- Brooks Raley worked a scoreless combined inning, walking two and striking out one for his first hold.
- José Buttó struggled upon return from the injured list, giving up three hits and two earned runs during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Huascar Brazobán
Texas Rangers – Summoned with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Robert Garcia navigated around Shea Langeliers’ lead-off single by retiring the next three batters, including consecutive strikeouts, while securing his eighth save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (50 SwStr%).
Despite some sporadic usage patterns, he has recorded a save in two of his last three appearances.
- Hoby Milner stranded a runner and retired his only batter via strikeout for his 13th at the top of the eighth.
- There was no easing Jon Gray into his relief role. He took over with runners at the corners with two outs at the top of the sixth, and benefited from a great catch in center, stranding both. Gray worked two scoreless combined frames, yielding a hit, and collected his first win. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff.
How Gray’s role as a reliever evolves will be intriguing, for now:
Updated Hierarchy: Robert Garcia | Shawn Armstrong | Jon Gray
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Entering a tied game at the top of the ninth, Kevin Ginkel gave up a bunt single, followed by Taylor Trammell’s single, before retiring Victor Caratini via pop-up. However, Christian Walker laced a go-ahead RBI single to center. Ginkel finished with three hits and an earned run while striking out one during his fourth loss.
- Atlanta Braves: In a loss, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts on 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). Dylan Lee struck out the side at the top of the eighth on 13 pitches and induced four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%).
- Baltimore Orioles: With the score tied at the bottom of the eighth, Colin Selby took over and recorded two quick outs, then allowed Bo Naylor’s double and a go-ahead RBI single by Steven Kwan, resulting in his second loss in as many appearances.
- Colorado Rockies: Completing a combined shutout, Tyler Kinley retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the ninth against the Cardinals. Jimmy Herget gave up a hit during the seventh and eighth innings.
- Kansas City Royals: Wrapping up a four-run win against the Cubs, Lucas Erceg retired the side on six pitches at the bottom of the ninth. Through ten appearances in July, he has two wins, a loss, two holds, and a blown save while being scoreless in seven, but with a 1.40 WHIP across ten innings.
- Los Angeles Angels: As the “bulk follower,” Jake Eder suffered his first loss, allowing seven hits, five earned runs, and a walk while striking out seven across six innings.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: After working a scoreless top of the ninth, Anthony Banda collected his fifth win. He allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts. Alex Vesia let two of three inherited runners score, on a double play groundout and an RBI single by Harrison Bader during his scoreless inning of relief, handing him his first blown save. Kirby Yates took over at the top of the eighth and issued three walks, resulting in two earned runs without retiring a batter.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Tasked with the top of the 11th, Seth Johnson suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, including Carlos Narvaez’s go-ahead two-run home run. Johnson finished with two hits, two runs (one earned), and three strikeouts.
- Tampa Bay Rays: An implosion at the top of the eighth resulted in a second loss and a third blown save by Kevin Kelly. He allowed four hits, six runs (five earned), and two walks during his one-third of an inning.
- The Athletics: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the sixth, Jack Perkins suffered his first loss, giving up a run on a missed fly ball, scoring a runner from first. He logged three innings, allowing a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out four.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Capping his team’s four-run win over the Yankees, Yariel Rodríguez fired a clean top of the ninth. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). Justin Bruihl gave up two hits and recorded two outs in the eighth.
Closer Monkey Emails for 2025
This year, the daily emails will change. Those interested in daily free updates with links should subscribe to our page at Substack. Subscribers to the former site will not transfer over; readers must register using the new link.
Premium subscribers can still use this link for daily, ad-free content or submit a $25 payment via Venmo to @gjewett9.
If you would like to leave a tip, please use this link for PayPal. Venmo can be sent to the address above.
Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: