Baseball-Reference classifies a blowout win as a five-run differential or higher. Saturday’s slate featured eight games decided this way. Two contests with a four-run margin also made high-leverage events scarce. Only two relievers recorded a win, and four secured a save. However, Pittsburgh not using David Bednar alarmed fantasy managers, though an explanation surfaced after the game. This and an update regarding Jordan Romano will be covered in today’s three takeaways.
Three Takeaways
- Bednar’s side soreness: While watching the Pirates game, seeing Aroldis Chapman warming for the ninth with a two-run lead prompted immediate searches on “X” and MLB.com with no luck. Chapman converted the save, though he allowed a run. After the contest, it was reported that David Bednar had not pitched because of side soreness. He missed most of the spring with a lat issue and has missed time before with an oblique injury. This was the latest report on the closer’s injury:
- Romano shut down: A second injury note appeared yesterday with reports Jordan Romano felt lingering soreness in his elbow. He will not throw again this weekend, though he was projected for a bullpen session. Yimi García could throw off a mound later today, but it’s speculative. Those with Romano on their roster can ride out the news cycle, but every time he stops a throwing progression, it further delays his potential return:
- Clase shoving: Often, the takeaways focus on the negative, but Emmanuel Clase may be nearing his 2022 form. He nailed down his 23rd save with a clean outing against the aforementioned Blue Jays and now leads all MLB relievers in games finished (32). He’s converted 23-of-26 save chances (88.5 percent success rate). Over the last 30 days, he’s recorded eight saves with 13 strikeouts versus one walk (29.3 K-BB percentage), a 16.3 percent swinging strike rate, and a 0.64 WHIP over 11 innings. Best news, his velocity ticking up and he maxed out at 102.5 m.p.h. in Saturday’s appearance:
Our condensed game recaps cover Saturday’s slate’s high-leverage events of interest. There will also be leaderboards for the last 30 days included in today’s post.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BOS): Not only did Kenley Jansen secure his 14th save, he retook sole possession of fifth all-time in saves (434). He worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth, allowing a hit during a win over the Reds. He allowed a two-out single by TJ Friedl but induced a game-ending flyout by Elly De La Cruz. Jansen threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff. He’s been scoreless in six with eight strikeouts against one walk through seven outings in June while converting all five save chances.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
(RP | CHW): Finishing a four-run win, Michael Kopech tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out two. He threw 23 pitches (14 strikes – 60.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s recorded multiple strikeouts in five of his last six appearances, but last recorded a save on May 15.
Hierarchy remains: *John Brebbia | *Michael Kopech | Tanner Banks
*= closer-by-committee
(RP | CLE): Recording his 23rd save, Emmanuel Clase fired his fourth straight clean outing. He retired the side in the top of the ninth while recording one strikeout during a three-run win over Toronto. Facing the Blue Jays’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket, he threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s converted 10 straight saves over his last 13 outings with 13 strikeouts against one walk and a 0.62 WHIP through 13 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Cade Smith
(RP | HOU): During a non-save outing, Josh Hader fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, closing out a four-run win over Baltimore. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He owns a modest three-game scoreless streak and has posted multiple strikeouts in three of his last four appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
National League
(RP | CHC): Working in low leverage, Héctor Neris tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, navigating around a two-out double and a walk with a game-ending strikeout of Jeff McNeil, closing out a seven-run win. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes—58.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Tyson Miller
(RP | CIN): Justin Wilson suffered his first loss and blown save, allowing three hits resulting in two earned runs without recording an out in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz | Lucas Sims
(RP | COL): Benefiting from a walk-off walk, Jalen Beeks collected his fourth win. He tossed 1.1 clean frames and recorded a strikeout. He threw nine pitches (77.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He owns a seven-game scoreless streak, spanning nine innings while recording two wins and three holds.
Hierarchy remains: *Jalen Beeks | *Tyler Kinley | Justin Lawrence
*= closer-by-committee (match-up-based)
(RP | PIT): With a two-run lead, Aroldis Chapman took over in the ninth. He held on for his second save of the season, allowing an earned run on a walk and an RBI double during an eventual one-run win. He finished the one-run win with a final line of one hit allowed, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one on 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). This marked his first save since April 1 and snapped his five-game scoreless streak.
After the game, it was reported David Bednar was suffering from “left-side” soreness.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Colin Holderman | Aroldis Chapman
(RP | SDP): Forced into action with a two-run lead and two outs, Robert Suarez induced a game-ending groundout by William Contreras, resulting in his 19th save. This represents his third one-out save of the season, and he’s been scoreless in six of seven outings in June.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Enyel De Los Santos
(RP | WSH): It was a night to forget in Coors Field for the Nationals closer. Entering with a one-run lead, Kyle Finnegan allowed three consecutive hits, including a game-tying RBI single by Brenton Doyle. Finnegan suffered his fourth loss and third blown save on a bases-loaded walk on a pitch clock violation while facing Ryan McMahon. This represents the first instance of a pitch clock violation causing a walk-off win in MLB history.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, June 23
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): Hader and Pressly have appeared three times in the previous four days, and if they get Sunday off, Abreu could have his second save chance this weekend.
- Aroldis Chapman (PIT): If Bednar needs another day off with lingering soreness in his side, the veteran southpaw could be summoned in the ninth inning with a lead.
Vulture Save Options for Monday, June 24
- Jeremiah Estrada (SDP): If Suarez pitches today, it would put Estrada in line for a save on Monday.
- Justin Slaten (BOS): If Jansen pitches this afternoon, the rookie would be positioned for a save opportunity on Monday.
Closer Monkey’s filthy sequence of the day goes to Emmanuel Clase tunneling his cutter and slider – video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Last 30 Days Leader Boards for Relievers
Saves
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/esZpJ/2/
Holds
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/G3iiA/2/
SOLDS (saves plus holds)
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/toc24/3/
Leaders in K-BB percentage and Swinging Strike Percentage (SwStr%)
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/aiFLQ/1/
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