Sunday’s 16-game slate resulted in ten wins for relievers, although a blown save accompanied two. They converted ten saves while also accruing nine losses and six blown saves. Things did not go well for Emmanuel Clase, Justin Martinez did not appear in an extra-inning game, and Tommy Kahnle pitched at the top of the eighth, covered in today’s takeaways.
Today’s Takeaways
(1) Clase appears in three consecutive games: It’s been a struggle early on for Emmanuel Clase, so his manager decided to ramp up his usage patterns and deploy him for a third straight contest. He suffered his second blown save and collected his third win. At the bottom of the ninth, he issued Enmanuel Valdez a lead-off walk, a leverage mortal sin, followed by consecutive doubles, scoring two runs. Clase recorded an out on a lineout to left field, then gave up a game-tying RBI single by Ke’Bryan Hayes, another hit by Bryan Reynolds, then induced an inning-ending double play by Andrew McCutchen. He finished with four hits against and three earned runs on 30 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with only two whiffs. He has a 2.23 WHIP with nine strikeouts against three walks (11.3 K-BB%) over 10.1 innings.
He has been working with a slight reduction in velocity:
However, his splits by velocity have not revealed any significant discrepancies in performance since 2023. His vertical release point has changed this year compared with 2024 and aligns more with 2023 when he led the league in blown saves (12):
He’s struggling with pitches in the heart of the strike zone, and not being as effective at the shadow of it either:
Will this explain his inflated batting average on balls in play, currently at .455 versus a career rate of .256? Does one dismiss his reduction in contact rates while producing more whiffs this season? It’s not easily diagnosed, but his 3.33 SIERA and 3.59 xERA suggest he deserves better outcomes. Improved location with the cutter will be necessary, especially against right-handed hitters, inside. Be patient while monitoring his upcoming appearances after he gets some much-needed rest.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
(2) Martinez fatigued: When the first save chance since A.J. Puk was placed on the injured occurred, fantasy managers were perplexed about Torey Lovullo not using Justin Martinez. After the game, this update appeared on “X”:
For reference, he threw 18 pitches in back-to-back outings on April 16 and 17, and only 36 since the 13th:
This may not be a significant concern, but it could provide insight into how he will be used going forward, with the potential of a managed workload. During Sunday’s game, Drey Jameson was handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the 11th and retired the side, stranding the “ghost” runner on eight pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff against the Cubs’ 1-2 hitters. He induced a double-play lineout and a game-ending lineout by Kyle Tucker to center field. Shelby Miller collected his second win and a blown save, giving up a hit and an unearned run while striking out two over two innings. Jalen Beeks tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one. Kevin Ginkel may also return at some point this week, which may provide fantasy managers with an ancillary save option in this leverage ladder. Stay tuned.
Hierarchy Remains: Justin Martinez | Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks
(3) Kahnle enters at the top of the eighth?: Death, taxes, and A.J. Hinch changing his usage patterns. Tommy Kahnle entered a tied game against the Royals’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket and matched up against Bobby Witt Jr., inducing a ground ball, but he reached on a throwing error. With one-out, Mark Canha single scored him, resulting in a blown save on an unearned run. Kahnle finished with a hit and a strikeout on 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%), inducing one whiff. Tyler Holton logged two innings, letting the “ghost” runner score at the top of the tenth, and recorded three strikeouts during his second loss. Fantasy players should not overreact, but note that Kahnle will enter at the highest-leverage moment, not necessarily reserved for save situations, which keeps Will Vest in play for ancillary save opportunities.
Hierarchy Remains: Tommy Kahnle | Will Vest | Tyler Holton
For the vulture save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for April 21
- Cade Smith (CLE): Clase has appeared in three straight, Gaddis in back-to-back games.
- Camilo Doval (SF): Walker and Rogers have worked in consecutive contests.
Vulture Save Stashes for April 22
- Jason Adam (SD): If Suarez pitches today, it will be back-to-back outings. Adam threw 25 pitches on Sunday and should be off today. If he’s used, then it will be Jeremiah Estrada.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Boston Red Sox
Entering at the top of the seventh, Zack Kelly suffered his first loss, allowing a hit and hitting two batters, resulting in three earned runs without recording an out. Justin Wilson let all three inherited runners score for his third blown save, giving up a hit in the seventh. Liam Hendriks appeared for the first time in 681 days but gave up three hits, including Andrew Vaughn’s two-run home run, and recorded a strikeout in the eighth. He threw 24 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Garrett Whitlock
Chicago Cubs
During an extended outing, Jordan Wicks suffered his first loss, allowing three hits and two unearned runs while recording two strikeouts across the tenth and 11th innings.
Ryan Pressly fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout on 11 pitches (54.5 Strike percentage) with one whiff. He has a modest five-game scoreless streak and a 1.64 WHIP with five strikeouts versus six walks over 11 innings this season.
- Porter Hodge tossed a clean eighth.
- Ethan Roberts worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Julian Merryweather navigated around two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Julian Merryweather
Chicago White Sox
It was not a save situation, but Cam Booser closed a four-run win against his former employer, retiring the side 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) without a whiff. He has a 0.78 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against three walks (23.6 K-BB%) through nine innings.
- Steven Wilson notched his first hold, stranding a runner at the bottom of the seventh and tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, walking and striking out one.
- Brandon Eisert collected his first win, working 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jordan Leasure | *Cam Booser | Steven Wilson
*= closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies
(Game 1): Appearing during an eventual loss, Seth Halvorsen worked 1.1 scoreless frames, stranding two runners in the eighth while giving up a hit and striking out two. Before this game, Victor Vodnik was placed on the 15-day injured list.
(Game 2) Handed a one-run lead, Tyler Kinley navigated around Dylan Crews’ lead-off single and a stolen base with three strikeouts for his first save. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%).
- Zach Agnos made his MLB debut with a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and securing his first hold.
- Jake Bird walked one and struck out three in a scoreless seventh for his second hold.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Seth Halvorsen | Tyler Kinley | Jake Bird
Kansas City Royals
With the bullpen shorthanded by lingering injuries, Carlos Estévez recorded his first win and logged two scoreless frames during an extra-inning game in Detroit. He allowed a walk and hit a batter, striking out one on 24 pitches (13 strikes – 54.2 Strike%) with one whiff.
He’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus six walks (9.5 K-BB%) across ten innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Daniel Lynch IV
Los Angeles Dodgers
Completing a combined shutout and his eighth save, Tanner Scott worked around Wyatt Langford’s leadoff single, induced a pop-out and a lineout, and benefited from a game-ending caught stealing, sealing the 1-0 win in Texas. Scott threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
He’s posted 1.00 WHIP with 10 strikeouts (22.7 K-BB%) through 12 innings.
- Evan Phillips stranded a runner and retired his only batter via strikeout in the eighth for his second hold.
- Jack Dreyer allowed a walk and struck out one over two-thirds scoreless in the eighth, securing his second hold.
- Ben Casparius collected his second win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Kirby Yates | Alex Vesia
*= match-up-based approach with a preferred save share
Miami Marlins
Handed a one-run at the bottom of the tenth, Jesús Tinoco retired the side against the Phillies’ 6-7-8 hitters on 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last three outings.
- Calvin Faucher collected his first win, navigating around a hit and a walk during a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied. He has 1.50 WHIP and six strikeouts versus five walks over 7.1 innings.
- Anthony Bender was tagged with his second blown save, allowing a hit, an earned run, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: Calvin Faucher | Anthony Bender | Jesús Tinoco
New York Yankees
Taking over with a runner on and two outs at the bottom of the eighth, Fernando Cruz issued a walk and induced an inning-ending Junior Caminero pop-out. Cruz returned for the ninth and navigated around two walks with a strikeout, followed by a game-ending double play groundout by Danny Jansen for his second save. It was far from efficient as he threw 26 pitches (12 strikes – 46.2 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. Streamers benefit from the save, but the lack of command should be monitored.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Mark Leiter Jr.
Philadelphia Phillies
Taking over at the top of the tenth, Matt Strahm suffered his first loss, giving up two hits and two runs (one earned). Dane Myers reached on a bunt single, followed by Kyle Stowers’ sacrifice fly, and a Javier Sanoja single plated the second run.
- José Alvarado fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on eight pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff. He lowered his WHIP to 1.22 and has 15 strikeouts against two walks (28.9 K-BB%) across 10.2 innings.
- Orion Kerkering allowed three hits, inducing a go-ahead three-run home run by Sanoja and a walk while striking out one in the seventh, resulting in his second blown save.
Hierarchy Remains: *José Alvarado | *Orion Kerkering | Matt Strahm
*= floating closer concept
Pittsburgh Pirates
Despite retiring the side at the top of the tenth, Dennis Santana let the “ghost” runner score on a sacrifice fly, resulting in his first loss. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s posted a 0.90 WHIP with five strikeouts versus three walks across ten innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Dennis Santana | Caleb Ferguson | David Bednar
San Diego Padres
Nailing down his ninth save, Robert Suarez fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts while preserving a one-run win in Houston. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%).
He’s posted a minuscule 0.50 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against two walks (28.6 K-BB%) through ten innings.
- Jason Adam recorded his MLB-leading eighth hold, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames and striking out two.
- Alek Jacob collected his first win, allowing a hit and striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
San Francisco Giants
A surprising meltdown and Ryan Walker’s first blown save since taking over as the closer last August. His outing began with a Mike Trout walk, Jorge Soler’s single, and a strikeout. With one out, Logan O’Hoppe singled to load the bases, and a run scored on Zach Neto’s hit-by-pitch, then a bases-clearing Jo Adell double-handed Walker his first loss. He finished with three hits, four earned runs, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out one in one-third of an inning. Here are his pitch results:
His WHIP sits at 1.08, with seven strikeouts against two walks (13.8 K-BB%) across 8.1 innings.
- Tyler Rogers notched his seventh hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Camilo Doval recorded his first hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
Washington Nationals
(Game 1): Preserving a one-run win, Kyle Finnegan worked around a one-out walk with a strikeout and a game-ending groundout for his eighth save. He threw 15 pitches (46.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He has a 1.34 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against six walks (14.7 K-BB%) in 9.2 innings.
- Jose A. Ferrer retired five of six batters, giving up a hit and striking out two for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Jose A. Ferrer | Lucas Sims
Quick Hits
- Cincinnati Reds: Finishing a lopsided win, Randy Wynne recorded his first career save, logging three innings, giving up three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out three.
- Houston Astros: Entering a tied game at the top of the seventh, Tayler Scott allowed Fernando Tatis Jr.’s go-ahead solo home run, resulting in his second loss during his two-thirds.
- Los Angeles Angels: Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Michael Darrell-Hicks collected his first MLB win. He worked 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out one, though he let one of two inherited runners score at the top of the eighth.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Closing a 13-run win, Tyler Alexander logged three scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out five for his first career save. He threw 42 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced seven whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
- New York Mets: José Buttó collected his second win and first blown save, letting both inherited runners score at the top of the seventh on Thomas Saggese’s double. He recorded two strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.
- St. Louis Cardinals: JoJo Romero took over at the bottom of the seventh, allowing a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning, resulting in his second loss.
- Texas Rangers: Summoned at the top of the eighth during a tied contest, Chris Martin allowed Will Smith’s lead-off single, walked Shohei Ohtani, and let the game’s only run on Freddie Freeman’s sacrifice fly, resulting in his third loss.
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