Monday’s 12-game slate featured six reliever wins, including three on walk-offs and six saves. Fantasy managers were frustrated by the Dodgers’ usage pattern during a combined shutout, and the Cubs blew another save chance.
Three Takeaways
- Cubs suffer another blown save: It was not Héctor Neris this time; he was passed over despite being available. Colten Brewer entered the ninth with his team ahead by two. He gave up a lead-off bloop double, a bunt single, and a sacrifice before being lifted. Drew Smyly replaced him, struggled with his command, and suffered a loss on a game-ending, walk-off walk. This represents the team’s 17th blown save, second most in the majors. Chicago’s 51.4 save percentage ranks 27th among all MLB teams. Injuries have depleted the leverage ladder, and if things do not improve soon, the team’s postseason aspirations may dissipate. Only Colorado and the White Sox bullpens have produced a lower win probability added this season. Will the team soon try younger pitchers like Porter Hodge and Ben Brown (currently on the injured list) in higher-leveraged situations? Time will tell, but the pressure’s mounting while the team operates a closer-by-committee approach.
- Dodgers play match-ups: In February, Dave Roberts was hesitant about labeling Evan Phillips his closer. He occupies the highest-leveraged reliever (HLR) role, facing a team’s toughest lineup pocket in close contests. This happened last night. Phillips entered in the eighth against the 2-3-4 lineup pocket with a two-run lead. Alex Vesia recorded the save versus the 6-7-8 hitters. Fantasy managers should not overreact, this only marks the fourth time Phillips has appeared in the eighth through 23 appearances, and he’s converted all 12 save chances this season. Those in deeper leagues can stream Vesia, though. He’s been scoreless in nine of ten outings this month with 15 strikeouts against one walk across 10 innings.
- Is Ben Joyce sowing the seeds of success? Since introducing a “splinker” into his arsenal on June 14, Joyce has recorded four consecutive scoreless outings, spanning 6.2 innings, with eight strikeouts against four walks. He owns a 0.896 WHIP in this sample, a 59.3 strike percentage, and a 12 percent swinging strike rate. Fantasy players must remember that the Angels’ current bullpen hierarchy is pending free agents and will be popular targets ahead of the trade deadline.
Our condensed and full game recaps cover Monday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BOS): Appearing for a third straight day, Kenley Jansen tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, navigating around a lead-off single. He collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning.
(RP | CLE): Recording his second save, Scott Barlow fired a clean bottom of the ninth and struck out the side while preserving a one-run win over the Orioles.
(RP | KCR): With a three-run lead in the ninth, James McArthur fired a clean outing and recorded a strikeout for his 13th save.
(RP | SEA): Suffering his second blown save, Andrés Muñoz could not stem the tide in the bottom of the eighth. He took over with two runners on and issued a walk followed by a go-ahead two-RBI single by Yandy Díaz before recording an inning-ending strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: *Andrés Muñoz (HLR/PSS) | Ryne Stanek | Tayler Saucedo
*= An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
(RP | TBR): Capping his team’s rally in the eighth inning, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean top of the ninth, locking down his 12th save and finishing a one-run win over Seattle.
(RP | TEX): Taking over in the sixth, Jacob Latz let his only inherited runner score, allowing two hits, including a grand slam (Rhys Hoskins), three earned runs, and two walks without recording an out, resulting in his second loss.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
(RP | TOR): Inheriting a bases-loaded situation at the bottom of the eighth, Zach Pop allowed a game-tying two-RBI single, followed by an inning-ending strikeout. Returning for the ninth, Cedanne Rafaela reached on an error, was moved to second on a balk (controversial call), and scored on a walk-off Jarren Duran single, suffering his second loss and second blown save.
Hierarchy remains: Chad Green | Nate Pearson | Brendon Little
National League
(RP | CHC): Taking over with a runner on and one out, Drew Smyly suffered his fourth loss and second blown save. He allowed an earned run, let his only inherited runner score, and issued a walk-off walk against the Giants.
(RP | LAD): Facing the 6-7-8 lineup pocket, Alex Vesia recorded his fourth save and retired the side while striking out one, preserving a combined shutout.
(RP | MIL): Completing a come-from-behind win, Trevor Megill notched his 16th save. He hit a batter and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth against Texas.
(RP | SDP): Courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth, Wandy Peralta collected his second despite only recording one out in the top of the inning.
(RP | SFG): After logging 4.2 scoreless frames, Spencer Howard collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the ninth. In his bulk outing, he scattered four hits and issued a walk while striking out eight. He threw 77 pitches (54 strikes—70.1 Strike%) and produced 14 whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
(RP | STL): Hanging on for his MLB-leading 27th save, it was deuces wild in St. Louis. Ryan Helsley gave up two hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out two during an eventual one-run win over Atlanta.
(RP | WSH): Provided a three-run lead in the bottom of the tenth, Hunter Harvey suffered his third loss and first blown save. He allowed a lead-off double by Donovan Solano, a two-RBI single by Jackson Merrill, and issued a walk before recording his first out on a sacrifice bunt. With runners on second and third, he induced a pop-out by David Peralta, intentionally walked Luis Arraez, and gave up a walk-off, two-RBI single by Jurickson Profar. He’s allowed at least a run in consecutive games and four of nine outings this month.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, June 25
- Bryan Hudson (MIL): With Megill and Payamps appearing in two straight games, Hudson will be in line for a potential multi-inning outing. He could vulture a win or a save, which enhances his appeal to daily streamers.
- Justin Slaten (BOS): His team is on a heater, and if there’s a save chance, the rookie could benefit since Jansen has worked in three straight.
- Andrew Kittredge (STL): Helsley’s pitched on consecutive days and will be off this evening, placing Kittredge atop the hierarchy against Atlanta tonight.
- Jason Adam (TBR): Fairbanks has appeared in back-to-back contests.
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, June 26
- Ryne Stanek (SEA): If Muñoz pitches tonight and Stanek does not, he would be in line for the save on Wednesday.
- Nick Anderson (KCR): The Royals used its high-leverage triumvirate in a win last night, and if all three appear again today, the veteran would be in line for the vulture save on Wednesday.
American League – Full Recaps
Boston Red Sox – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Kenley Jansen collected his third win. He tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing a lead-off single and recording a strikeout. Appearing for a third straight game, he threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last six outings, converting all five save chances and this win. Chase Anderson retired the side in the eighth and struck out one. Isaiah Campbell let his only inherited runner score, giving up three hits and three earned runs while striking out one in one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Cleveland Guardians – Despite allowing a run in two of his previous three outings, Scott Barlow was provided the save chance in Baltimore. He preserved the one-run win against the 6-7-8 lineup pocket while striking out the side, securing his second save. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (31.6 SwStr%). Hunter Gaddis notched his 16th hold, issuing a walk and striking out one in a scoreless eighth, taking over against the 2-3-4 batters. Tim Herrin secured his ninth hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Cade Smith
Kansas City Royals – Summoned with a three-run lead in the ninth, James McArthur secured his 13th save. He retired the side in order and recorded a strikeout against the Marlins. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (20 SwStr%). This marked his first save since June 6, and he’s been scoreless in seven of eight games this month. John Schreiber fired a clean eighth and struck out two for his 16th hold. Chris Stratton tossed a clean seventh, striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
Tampa Bay Rays -Nailing down his 12th save, Pete Fairbanks retired the side and recorded two strikeouts while preserving a one-run win over Seattle. He threw 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (20 SwStr%). After allowing a run in three of five outings, he’s bounced back with consecutive clean outings and converted both save opportunities. Phil Maton collected his first win, logging 1.1 clean frames and striking out two. Chris Devenski gave up two earned runs on a home run by Mitch Garver and issued three walks during two-thirds of the seventh. Colin Poche retired both batters faced via strikeout in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
National League – Full Recaps
Chicago Cubs – In the latest rendition of the team’s late-inning struggles, Drew Smyly suffered his fourth loss and second blown save, allowing a walk-off walk in the bottom of the ninth. He entered with a runner on and one out, giving up a single followed by a walk before inducing a sacrifice fly, cutting the lead to one. With two outs, he intentionally walked Heliot Ramos, loading the bases, and issued Wilmer Flores the game-deciding walk. Smyly’s final line was one-third of an inning with a hit against, one earned run, and three walks on 12 pitches (33.3 Strike%). Colten Brewer received the save chance at the onset of the ninth. He allowed a lead-off bloop double, a bunt single by Thairo Estrada, and a sacrifice fly before being lifted. He finished with two hits allowed and two earned runs during his one-third of an inning for his first hold. Tyson Miller notched his fourth hold, retiring both batters in the eighth, stranding two runners, and recording a strikeout.
Updated Hierarchy: *Héctor Neris | *Tyson Miller | *Keegan Thompson
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers – Preserving a combined shutout, Alex Vesia recorded his fourth save, retiring the side and striking out one against the White Sox. He threw 10 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%). Matched up against the 2-3-4 lineup pocket in the eighth, Evan Phillips navigated around a Luis Robert Jr. double for a scoreless inning and his first hold. This was an HLR outing, snapping a streak of six straight games-finished. Yohan Ramírez worked a clean seventh, striking out one for his second hold. Daniel Hudson collected his fourth win, tossing a scoreless sixth. He gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Alex Vesia
Milwaukee Brewers – Securing his 16th save, Trevor Megill tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, closing out a three-run win over Texas. He did allow a baserunner on a hit-by-pitch but recorded two strikeouts, including a game-ending one against Adolis García. Megill threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%). Through 11 games in June, he’s been scoreless in ten and converted all eight save chances with 12 strikeouts against four walks. Joel Payamps notched his tenth hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless eighth. Jared Koenig navigated around three walks and struck out two in a scoreless seventh, recording his third hold. Elvis Peguero collected his fifth win despite giving up two hits, including a solo home run, and struck out one in the sixth inning.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Bryan Hudson
San Diego Padres – A wild finish and a walk-off in the bottom of the tenth handed Wandy Peralta his second win. He retired Luis García Jr. in the top of the tenth. Enyel De Los Santos allowed two hits, including a three-run home run by Nick Senzel, and recorded a strikeout during his two-thirds of the tenth. Robert Suarez tossed a scoreless ninth, giving up a two-out double by Lane Thomas. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Jeremiah Estrada fired a clean eighth and struck out one on 10 pitches (70 Strike%) with three whiffs. Adrian Morejon suffered his first blown save. He gave up three hits, including a game-tying RBI single by Joey Meneses in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Enyel De Los Santos
St. Louis Cardinals – Holding on for his team-record 27th consecutive converted save, Ryan Helsley had his five-game scoreless streak snapped. His outing began with a lead-off four-pitch walk and a single before striking out Austin Riley. However, another walk loaded the bases, setting up an RBI single by Ramón Laureano and a sacrifice fly from Travis d’Arnaud before a game-ending Zack Short strikeout. Helsley’s final line was two hits allowed, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out two. He threw 26 pitches (14 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (19.2 SwStr%). Ryan Fernandez tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, stranding a runner in the seventh for his sixth hold. He issued two walks and recorded three strikeouts while throwing 22 pitches (50 Strike%) with seven whiffs (31.8 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Closer Monkey’s filthy sequence of the day goes to Ben Joyce. This video displays an overlay of his splinker and four-seam fastball – courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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