Sunday’s 13-game slate provided five reliever wins, four losses, and eight saves in ten chances. There were some notable injury updates which will be covered in our three takeaways.
Three Takeaways
(1) Doval gets the save on Sunday: After turning in a strong spring, Camilo Doval filled in capably while recording his first save with a clean ninth, striking out one against the Reds’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%) in his season debut.
Ryan Walker was unavailable with back tightness, per Alex Pavlovic.
This should be a short-term concern, but those with Walker on their roster may prefer having Doval as a handcuff, just in case.
(2) Tinoco to the IL: Before Sunday’s third walk-off win, Miami placed one of its relievers in its save share on the injured list:
This may explain his rough spring ratios. As for this contest, Anthony Bender collected his first win. He worked a scoreless top of the inning, walking and striking out one on 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). Calvin Faucher entered against the Pirates’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket and struggled with his command. He navigated around two walks for a scoreless eighth. However, he threw 20 pitches (40 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (10 SwStr%). Through two games, he owns a 50 percent strike rate. Faucher did the heavy lifting as the highest-leveraged reliever, but he has not been in a traditional save opportunity, yet. Monitor how usage patterns proceed this week.
(3) Another Pirates meltdown: Whether lousy luck or performance-based, David Bednar suffered his second loss on a walk-off in this series. He allowed an infield single on a topped grounder, followed by a stolen base with a throwing error advancing the runner third and a walk-off wild pitch. He threw eight pitches (37.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
From Noah HIles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the team remains supportive of its reliever in his three takeaways, but how long will the leash be? Bednar and Colin Holderman struggled in this series, which may open the door for Dennis Santana to receive save chances soon.
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Here are the remaining high-leverage events of interest from Sunday’s slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
Arizona Diamondbacks
Finishing a four-run win, A.J. Puk navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless top of the ninth, throwing 28 pitches (17 strikes – 60.7 Strike%) and producing five whiffs (17.9 SwStr%).
Justin Martinez collected his first win. He allowed two hits and recorded two strikeouts in two-thirds of the eighth, ahead of his team’s eight-run rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.20 WHIP with two strikeouts across 1.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Justin Martinez | *A.J. Puk | Shelby Miller
Cleveland Guardians
Closing a four-run win, Emmanuel Clase tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth. He hit Jonathan India with a pitch and recorded one strikeout on 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). Through two games, he owns a 1.50 WHIP with two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Paul Sewald
Los Angeles Angels
Working himself into, then out of trouble, Kenley Jansen worked around a lead-off double and a walk with a pop-out, followed by a game-ending double play groundout for his second save, preserving a one-run win over the White Sox. He threw 12 pitches (41.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He has a 1.50 WHIP with two strikeouts versus two walks after two outings.
- Brock Burke notched his first hold with a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Ben Joyce took over after the rain delay and collected his first win, retiring both batters at the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Ben Joyce | Brock Burke
New York Yankees
As the first reliever in the game, Tim Hill stranded a runner and logged 1.1 clean frames while striking out three for his first win. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Mark Leiter Jr.
Seattle Mariners
Finishing a one-run win over the Athletics, Andrés Muñoz notched his second save with a scoreless ninth, giving up a one-out single by Tyler Soderstrom, followed by a groundout and a game-ending strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. He has a 1.00 WHIP with three strikeouts against one walk through two games.
- Trent Thornton secured his first hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Gregory Santos retired the side in the seventh for his first hold.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Trent Thornton | Gregory Santos
St. Louis Cardinals
Securing his first career save, Steven Matz logged four scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out two during a 9-2 win over the Twins. He threw 51 pitches (39 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (13.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero
Tampa Bay Rays
Although he dealt with traffic again, Pete Fairbanks recorded his first save with a scoreless ninth, navigating around two hits and striking out two against Colorado. He threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (35 SwStr%). Through two games, he has a 2.00 WHIP with four strikeotus against two walks.
- Edwin Uceta fired a clean eighth, striking out one on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%) for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Garrett Cleavinger
Texas Rangers
Hanging on for his second save, Luke Jackson worked around a two-out double by Jarren Duran and a Rafael Devers walk with a game-ending Alex Bregman strikeout. Jackson threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He’s converted two of three save chances in as many appearances.
- Chris Martin notched his first hold with a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
- Robert Garcia tossed a clean seventh, striking out one, for his second hold.
- Shawn Armstrong suffered his first blown save and was credited with his first win. He allowed a hit, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out one in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Jackson | Chris Martin | Robert Garcia
Toronto Blue Jays
Revenge is a dish best served with saves. Jeff Hoffman nailed down his first save for the Blue Jays with a clean top of the ninth, striking out two against one of the teams who rebuffed his medicals. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He has a 0.50 WHIP with three strikeouts across his first two games.
Washington Nationals
Pressed into action with the bases loaded and no outs at the top of the ninth, Kyle Finnegan notched his first save, stranding two of three inherited runners. He induced an RBI fielder’s choice groundout, recorded a strikeout of Kyle Schwarber, and a game-ending lineout by Alec Bohm. Finnegan threw an efficient five pitches, all strikes, without a whiff. He remains unscored upon through two games while posting a 1.50 WHIP with two strikeouts against two walks.
- Brad Lord created the mess, allowing a hit, an earned run, and two walks before being removed.
- Jorge López retired the side in the eighth.
- Jose A. Ferrer stranded two runners and recorded two outs in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Jorge López | Jose A. Ferrer
Vulture Save Options for March 31
- Porter Hodge (CHC): Playing a hunch, though the Cubs may give Ryan Pressly another save chance on this homestand.
- Dennis Santana (PIT): Colin Holderman has pitched in consecutive games, and Bednar in three of the previous four.
- Brock Burke (LAA): Jansen and Joyce have pitched in back-to-back contests.
- George Soriano (MIA): Faucher and Bender have worked on consecutive days.
Vulture Save Stashes for April 1
- Cade Smith (CLE): If Clase pitches again today, it will be back-to-back appearances.
- Chris Martin (TEX): He should get Monday off, and if Jackson pitches, it will be consecutive outings and four in the last five.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
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