Friday’s slate had six blowouts (games decided by five or more runs) and three shutouts, including two 1-0 contests. There was also a postponed game, which will be made up as a doubleheader today in Kansas City. Relievers recorded five wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save (Jake Bird), and five saves while suffering five losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB | BF |
| Ryan Helsley | 21 | 13 | 92.3 | 23.1 | 2:0 | 4 |
| Jhoan Durán | 16 | 6 | 83.3 | 16.7 | 1:0 | 3 |
| Seth Halvorsen | 10 | 11 | 63.6 | 9.1 | 0:0 | 3 |
| Kevin Ginkel | 3 | 6 | 83.3 | 16.7 | 0:0 | 3 |
| Ben Casparius | 1 | 19 | 63.2 | 5.3 | 0:0 | 5 |
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Option for July 26
- Carlos Vargas (SEA): Muñoz, Brash, and Bazardo have all appeared in consecutive games.
- Randy Rodríguez (SF): Doval threw 29 pitches in a non-save outing last night.
- Shawn Armstrong (TEX): Garcia has worked in three of the previous four days, throwing 52 pitches.
- Andre Granillo (STL): Helsley, Maton, and Romero have all worked in back-to-back contests.
Doubleheader Plays
- Cleveland Guardians: Paul Sewald
- Kansas City Royals: Taylor Clarke
Vulture Save Stash for July 27
- Louis Varland (MIN): If Durán and Jax pitch today, it’s consecutive appearances for both.
Links
Three Takeaways
(1) Doval and inefficiency: His team’s struggles have not provided Camilo Doval with a save chance since the All-Star break. However, in his two non-save appearances, he has not been sharp. Last night, during his first appearance since July 21, he hit a batter leading off the top of the ninth, recorded two strikeouts, then gave up Francisco Lindor’s double, scored a runner on a wild pitch, followed by Juan Soto’s RBI single before an inning-ending strikeout. He finished with two hits and two earned runs while striking out three on 29 pitches (58.6 Strike%) with six whiffs (20.7 SwStr%), snapping his modest four-game scoreless streak. His illustrator:
It’s been a challenging stretch for Doval and his fantasy managers alike. However, his WHIP and hard hit percentages have been increasing as the season progresses, which may reach a tipping point soon:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/zNK0V/2/
(2) Weaver and home runs against: In last night’s loss against the Phillies, Luke Weaver took over with two on and one out, giving up a game-tying infield single by Nick Castellanos with an error on the throw, followed by J.T. Realmuto’s go-ahead three-run home run, resulting in his third blown save. He has served up seven home runs in his last 15 appearances since May 25. He has a 1.37 WHIP with a 4.25 SIERA, and a 14.3 K-BB percentage in these 15.1 innings. Of his 49 batted ball events in these contests, he has allowed six barrels (12.2 percent) with only a 34.7 percent hard-hit rate. Five of the seven home runs have been against his four-seam fastball in the following counts: two were during 3-2 pitches.
And his four-seam heatmap from this sample:
There is no easy fix for this problem other than improving his location with the four-seam fastball when he is even or behind in the count. However, hitters are hunting fastballs and succeeding since his return from the injured list.
(3) Yates passed over in Boston: We joke about the “trust tree” for leverage relievers, but with a three-run lead on the road, Kirby Yates was not summoned with a myriad of his teammates on the injured list and Blake Treinen not yet activated. It seemed like he would be an impact reliever for the Dodgers, but it has not transpired, as his team’s Win Probability Added chart illustrates:
Those hoping for ancillary saves by Yates should focus on the trade deadline or stash a reliever on the precipice of a larger leverage role based on recent performance and usage patterns for the struggling Dodgers’ reliever.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Friday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Arizona Diamondbacks – Preserving a combined shutout with a clean bottom of the 11th, Kevin Ginkel secured his third save. He threw six pitches (83.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%) versus the Pirates’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket.
He has been scoreless in six of his last seven.
- Anthony DeSclafani logged four scoreless frames, issuing two walks and recording three strikeouts while collecting his first win.
Hierarchy Remains: *Kevin Ginkel | *Kendall Graveman | *Kyle Backhus
*= closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies – Sealing a one-run win in Baltimore, Seth Halvorsen retired the side on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with one whiff.
He has been scoreless in his last three appearances and has converted his last five save opportunities since June 22.
- Tyler Kinley notched his eighth hold, giving up a hit and striking out two at the bottom of the eighth.
- Jake Bird suffered his fifth blown save, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the seventh, but was awarded his fourth win when his team reclaimed the lead at the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Seth Halvorsen | Victor Vodnik | Jake Bird
Los Angeles Angels – Entering at the top of the tenth, Ryan Zeferjahn issued Cole Young a lead-off walk but retired Seattle’s 1-2-3 hitters in order, including an inning-ending strikeout of Cal Raleigh to strand the “place” runner. He collected his sixth win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Kenley Jansen maintained the tie by retiring the side on three groundouts on nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) while inducing one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). He has posted eight scoreless appearances in July with a 0.375 WHIP and nine strikeouts (34.6 K-BB%).
- Reid Detmers tossed a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking out three.
- Brock Burke gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Reid Detmers | Ryan Zeferjahn
Los Angeles Dodgers – Navigating around Trevor Story’s lead-off double and a hit batter, Ben Casparius recorded his first career save with a game-ending groundout against Rob Refsnyder. He worked a scoreless ninth, throwing 19 pitches (63.2 Strike%) and inducing one whiff.
- Alex Vesia fired a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out two while nailing down his 19th hold.
- Edgardo Henriquez retired his only batter at the bottom of the seventh for his first hold.
- Anthony Banda logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one, securing his sixth hold.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Alex Vesia | *Ben Casparius | Jack Dreyer
Miami Marlins – Finishing a four-run win over the Brewers, Calvin Faucher took over at the bottom of the ninth against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket. He issued Christian Yelich a lead-off walk and Isaac Collins a one-out walk before inducing a groundout, followed by a game-ending strikeout. He threw 26 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Ronny Henriquez fired a clean eighth, versus the 9-1-2 hitters, and recorded a strikeout on 12 pitches (58.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- Anthony Bender worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- Josh Simpson collected his second win, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the sixth, ahead of his team’s four-run rally at the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ronny Henriquez | *Anthony Bender | *Calvin Faucher
*= highest-leverage reliever in a closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Shutting the door on his 16th save, Jhoan Durán preserved a 1-0 win against the Nationals by retiring the 2-3-4 lineup pocket in order and striking out one. He threw six pitches (83.3 Strike%) and produced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%).
Through eight outings in July, he has a 1-1 record while converting all four save chances with a 1.30 WHIP and ten strikeouts versus two walks (19.5 K-BB%) across ten innings.
- Griffin Jax worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two for his 21st hold.
- Danny Coulombe fired a clean seventh, securing his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Louis Varland
Philadelphia Phillies – Closing a seven-run road win against the Yankees, Daniel Robert retired the side at the bottom of the ninth.
- Orion Kerkering notched his 16th hold, giving up a hit and striking out two during a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Jordan Romano was credited with his seventh hold despite allowing two hits, two earned runs, and striking out one in the seventh inning.
- Tanner Banks stranded a runner, yielding a hit and striking out one at the bottom of the sixth. He was awarded his third win after his team scored four runs at the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Matt Strahm | *Orion Kerkering | Tanner Banks
*= “floating closer” concept
Pittsburgh Pirates – Tasked with the tenth and 11th innings against Arizona, Braxton Ashcraft suffered his first loss, letting the “place” runner score on Eugenio Suárez’s sacrifice fly. Ashcraft allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts during his two innings.
David Bednar fired a clean ninth, striking out one on seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced one whiff (14.3 SwStr%). He extended his scoreless streak to 12 games, during which he has posted a 0.917 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against four walks (23.9 K-BB%) across 12 innings.
- Dennis Santana navigated around two walks and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth.
- Isaac Mattson gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Dennis Santana | Caleb Ferguson
Seattle Mariners – With the score tied at the bottom of the tenth, Casey Legumina retired Logan O’Hoppe on a flyout but had the “place” runner reach third. After issuing LaMonte Wade Jr. a walk, Luis Rengifo grounded into a fielder’s choice groundout with the runner retired at home. Zach Neto produced a walk-off RBI single, resulting in Legumina’s fifth loss.
- Andrés Muñoz retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the ninth. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
- Matt Brash worked a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Eduard Bazardo tossed a clean seventh, recording two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
St. Louis Cardinals – Locking down his 21st save, Ryan Helsley completed a combined shutout against the Padres’ 6-7-8-9 hitters, working around Jose Iglesias’ two-out single and recording two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (92.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to four games and he has converted his last eight save chances since June 19.
- JoJo Romero allowed a hit in the eighth while recording his 16th hold.
- Phil Maton retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the seventh, securing his 20th hold.
- Steven Matz worked around two hits while recording his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: With the score tied at the top of the eighth, Andrew Kittredge allowed Ezequiel Tovar’s go-ahead solo home run and recorded three strikeouts, resulting in his second loss.
- Cincinnati Reds: Wrapping up a five-run win over the Rays, Emilio Pagán fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with one whiff. Tony Santillan tossed a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking out one. Graham Ashcraft notched his 12th hold, walking one and striking out three in the seventh. Lyon Richardson gave up a hit and a walk but remained scoreless in the sixth, earning his third hold.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Taking over at the top of the sixth, Aaron Ashby allowed Otto Lopez’s lead-off double, but cut him down at the plate on a fielder’s choice grounder. Returning for the seventh, he gave up Xavier Edwards’ lead-off single and left after retiring Jesús Sánchez. Nick Mears put gas on the fire, issuing two walks upon entry to load the bases and giving up Lopez’s bases-clearing double. Ashby gets charged with his first loss with two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings.
- New York Yankees: Tim Hill retired Bryson Stott via strikeout, ending the top of the sixth. However, in the seventh, he allowed consecutive hits by Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber before inducing a groundout by Trea Turner, forcing his removal, and resulting in his third loss when Weaver allowed his inherited runner to score.
- Texas Rangers: Forced into action with the bases loaded and one out at the top of the ninth, Robert Garcia induced an RBI groundout by Matt Olson, then retired Ronald Acuña Jr. via strikeout, completing a win over Atlanta. He threw 12 pitches (58.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
- Washington Nationals: During a shutout loss, Jose A. Ferrer retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the eighth. Luis García fired a clean seventh, striking out one. Konnor Pilkington retired his only batter in the sixth, stranding all three inherited runners.
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