Unlike Monday, Tuesday’s 14-game slate provided plenty of intrigue across the high-leverage landscape. Relievers recorded six wins and four losses, converting eight of 11 save chances. Entering gameplay yesterday, nine teams were without a save; now there are six, which perfectly transitions into today’s takeaways.
Three Takeaways
(1) Kahnle converts the Tigers’ first ninth-inning save chance: Lined up against Seattle’s 2-3-4 lineup pocket, Tommy Kahnle worked around hitting Julio Rodríguez, leading off the inning by retiring the next three batters. Kahnle threw 16 pitches (7 strikes – 43.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Will Vest tossed a clean eighth for his first hold against the 8-9-1 lineup pocket. Beau Brieske also notched his first hold, allowing a walk and an earned run while striking out one. Our adjusted hierarchy reflects the usage patterns in this contest, though A.J. Hinch prefers matching up by lineup pockets in each series.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tommy Kahnle | *Will Vest | *Tyler Holton
*= match-up-based approach
(2) Bender secures the Marlins’ first save: Summoned with one out and two inherited runners at the top of the ninth, Anthony Bender induced a Mark Vientos flyout and a game-ending groundout for his first save. He only needed four pitches, all strikes, without a whiff. Anthony Veneziano began the inning, matched up against Juan Soto’s lineup pocket with two left-handed hitters but walked Soto, and allowed a single by Brandon Nimmo before his removal. He gets credit for a hold. Lake Bachar retired the side in the eighth, securing his first hold. It’s too early to call this his job since it was a match-up dictated save chance.
Updated Hierarchy: *Anthony Bender | *Calvin Faucher | Anthony Veneziano
*= match-up-based approach
(3) Puk holds on for his first save: A.J. Puk allowed a Ben Rice solo home run and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a two-run win over the Yankees. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%):
Justin Martinez notched his first hold, striking out the side against the Yankees’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, including Aaron Judge. Martinez threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
Shelby Miller collected his first win, tossing a clean seventh ahead of his team’s rally at the top of the eighth. In this game, Martinez faced the highest-leverage moment and was impressive.
Hierarchy Remains: *Justin Martinez | *A.J. Puk | Shelby Miller
*= match-up-based approach
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Here are the remaining high-leverage events of interest from Tuesday’s slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Chicago White Sox
Things went awry when the bullpen took over at the top of the sixth. Penn Murfee entered with two runners on and two outs, allowing both runners to score while giving up four hits and three earned runs on his ledger. He suffered his first loss and a blown save without recording an out.
- Fraser Ellard stranded two runners in the sixth and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
- Jordan Leasure was summoned at the top of the ninth, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: *Mike Clevinger | *Cam Booser | Jordan Leasure
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels
Outlasting the Cardinals in 11 innings, Ryan Zeferjahn recorded his first MLB save, stranding a runner while retiring both batters, one via strikeout.
- Ryan Johnson collected his first win and first blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score in the tenth. He worked a combined inning, giving up two hits, an unearned run, and a walk.
- Garrett McDaniels gets credit for his first hold despite allowing a hit, three runs (two earned), and two walks while striking out one in one-third of the tenth.
- Kenley Jansen fired a clean ninth, striking out one, keeping the game tied, throwing 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
- Ben Joyce was tagged with his first blown save, yielding a hit and an unearned run in the eighth. Ian Anderson notched his first hold, tossing a clean seventh and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Ben Joyce | Brock Burke
Minnesota Twins
Closing a five-run win, Danny Coulombe retired the side against the White Sox.
- Griffin Jax secured his first hold, navigating around two hits and striking out two in a scoreless eighth. He threw 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (20.8 SwStr%).
- Jorge Alcala fired a clean seventh, striking out the side for his first hold.
- Cole Sands gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless sixth, posting his first hold.
- Louis Varland allowed a solo home run and recorded two strikeouts in the fifth, collecting his first win.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands
New York Yankees
In order of appearance, Fernando Cruz fired two clean frames, striking out four in the sixth and seventh innings for his first hold. He threw 22 pitches (17 strikes – 77.3 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (31.8 SwStr%).
- Tim Hill was credited with his second hold despite giving up two hits and two earned runs in one-third of the eighth.
- Mark Leiter Jr. took over with a runner on and issued two walks before serving up a go-ahead Eugenio Suárez grand slam, putting three earned runs on his ledger. As a result, he gets tagged with his first loss and first blown save.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Mark Leiter Jr.
Toronto Blue Jays
Locking down his second save, Jeff Hoffman retired the side and recorded one strikeout on eight pitches (876.5 Strike%) with two whiffs (25 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.33 WHIP with four strikeouts through his first three innings.
- Chad Green collected his first win, striking out his only batter in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green
National League
Chicago Cubs
Preserving a three-run win, Ryan Pressly recorded his second save with a scoreless ninth. He worked around a lead-off Tyler Soderstrom single with a flyout and a game-ending double play groundout, throwing 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%) with one whiff. He has a 2.75 WHIP with one strikeout versus four walks (-15 K-BB%) through four games.
- Porter Hodge notched his second hold, issuing a lead-off walk and inducing a double play groundout during a scoreless eighth. He threw 14 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s posted a 1.25 WHIP with five strikeouts versus two walks (18.8 K-BB%) in four contests.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Julian Merryweather
Los Angeles Dodgers
Matched up with Atlanta’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket, Tanner Scott retired the side on 10 pitches (60 Strike%) with two whiffs (20 SwStr%) while converting his second save. He’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with four strikeouts (21.1 K-BB%) over five innings.
- Blake Treinen secured his second hold with a scoreless eighth, navigating around a lead-off single and striking out one versus the 9-1-2-3 hitters. He threw 23 pitches (17 strikes – 73.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
- Alex Vesia fired a clean seventh, striking out two for his second hold.
- Anthony Banda was awarded his second win, tossing a scoreless sixth and giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Blake Treinen | Kirby Yates
*= match-up-based approach
Milwaukee Brewers
Making his second appearance of the season, Trevor Megill fired a clean top of the ninth, preserving a combined shutout in a non-save capacity. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%).
- Joel Payamps worked around a hit and recorded one strikeout in a scoreless eighth.
- Abner Uribe stranded two runners and retired all four batters for his first win, back from suspension. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Abner Uribe
Pittsburgh Pirates
In an eventual shutout loss, Dennis Santana allowed a lead-off triple and an RBI single on 16 pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). With David Bednar demoted, this changes our projected roles based on this usage pattern.
Updated Hierarchy: *Colin Holderman | *Dennis Santana | Ryan Borucki
*= roles in flux
San Francisco Giants
Appearing on consecutive nights, Ryan Walker retired the side and secured his second save, finishing a two-run win in Houston. He threw 13 pitches (9 Strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He has a 0.75 WHIP with two strikeouts versus one walk across three innings.
- Tyler Rogers notched his second hold, navigating around two hits and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
St. Louis Cardinals
Tasked with the top of the 11th, Chris Roycroft suffered his first loss. He allowed two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk.
- Ryan Fernandez gave up two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk in the tenth.
- Ryan Helsley fired a clean ninth, striking out one on 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) with one whiff. He has a 0.67 WHIP with six strikeouts (54.5 K-BB%).
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero
Vulture Save Options for April 2
- Camilo Doval (SF): Walker has pitched in consecutive games.
- Phil Maton (STL): Helsley has worked in two straight.
- Yimi García (TOR): Hoffman has appeared in three of the previous four days.
- Blake Treinen (LAD): The Dodgers have used Scott in back-to-back contests, and Kirby Yates could also be involved.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): Bender has pitched in three of the previous four days.
- Colin Holderman (PIT): With Santana logging an outing at the bottom of the eighth during a loss, is Holderman atop the restructured hierarchy?
Vulture Save Stash for April 3
- Abner Uribe (MIL): If Megill pitches today, it will mark back-to-back appearances.
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Statistical Credits: