Although two games were postponed by inclement weather, Tuesday’s slate was wild. There were five walk-offs and four extra-inning contests. Relievers factored heavily in the decisions, recording eight wins, with two accompanying a blown save designation, five saves, and eight losses. While Emmanuel Clase seems to be finding his form, Jeff Hoffman’s struggles continued last night. Here are the saves from Tuesday:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Shawn Armstrong | 1 | 17 | 64.7 | 0 | 3:0 |
| Emmanuel Clase | 9 | 14 | 71.4 | 28.6 | 2:0 |
| Edwin Díaz | 9 | 18 | 50 | 5.6 | 1:1 |
| Pierce Johnson | 1 | 16 | 68.8 | 0 | 1:0 |
| Mason Montgomery | 1 | 4 | 75 | 25 | 0:0 |
Three Takeaways
(1) What’s wrong with Hoffman? After a tremendous start to the season, results have gone sideways for Jeff Hoffman. Last night, he took over with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout before issuing a walk, then giving up consecutive singles, tying the game, resulting in his second blown save. He remained in the contest, allowing another single before Junior Caminero launched a grand slam, ending the closer’s night. He finished with four hits, five earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in his second loss.
It’s been a tale of two splits for him:
- First 14 games: 3 wins, seven saves in as many chances, a 23:2 K:BB, with a .161 batting average against, a .427 on-base plus slugging percentage, one home run, and a .242 batting average on balls in play across 16.1 innings.
- Last Five games: 2 losses, two saves in four chances, an 8:2 K:BB, with a .500 batting average against, a 1.546 OPS, and a .778 BAbip through three innings.
Following his recent meltdowns, he has recorded 19.1 innings this season with a 6.05 ERA but a 1.62 SIERA and a 2.04 xERA. His current.357 BAbip sits 79 points above last year. His underlying metrics remain stable compared to the previous two seasons. Improved results with the split-finger fastball would help his cause, but it does not seem like time to panic yet.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green
(2) Pagán and regression: During extra-innings, Emilio Pagán suffered his second loss, allowing three hits, four runs (three earned), and a walk while striking out one during 1.2 innings. He worked a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit, then struggled in the tenth, culminating in Miguel Vargas’ three-run home run. He threw 32 pitches (21 strikes – 65.6 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (12.5 SwStr%) but he struggled with his four-seam fastball:
And his results chart:
He’s allowed at least a run in three of his past four appearances and four of his last seven. After this appearance, his ERA sits at 4.05 with a 3.30 SIERA and a 3.50 xERA. Hopefully, this will end his migration toward the mean, but fantasy managers must closely monitor his upcoming appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
(3) Monty’s first save: While fantasy analysts wish to cast Mason Montgomery into an eventual closer role, he’s undergone a learning curve this season. However, he notched his first career save last night. He was summoned with two runners on and two outs at the bottom of the ninth, and induced a game-ending flyout by Daulton Varsho. This extended his modest scoreless streak to six games. Pete Fairbanks entered the ninth with a four-run lead and struggled, allowing three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the inning. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Edwin Uceta suffered his second blown save and was awarded his third win after giving up two hits, three earned runs on Varsho’s home run, and two walks while striking out one in the eighth. There is no imminent change at the top of the hierarchy, but seeing Montgomery step up is encouraging.
Updated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Mason Montgomery
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for May 14
- Ryne Stanek (NYM): Díaz has pitched in three of the previous four days.
- Tony Santillan (CIN): Pagán logged two innings last night.
- Yimi García (TOR): Hoffman had a rough outing last night and may need a night off.
- Héctor Neris (LAA): Jansen has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Tyler Holton (DET): Vest worked two innings yesterday.
Doubleheader Options
- Baltimore Orioles: Preferred vulture: Bryan Baker; YOLO – Seranthony Dominguez
- Minnesota Twins: Preferred vulture: Danny Coulombe; YOLO – Louis Varland
- Philadephia Phillies: Preferred vulture: Jordan Romano; YOLO – Taijuan Walker
- St. Louis Cardinals: Preferred vulture: Gordon Graceffo; YOLO – Steven Matz
Vulture Save Stashes for May 15
- Robert Garcia (TEX): If Luke Jackson pitches today, the team may give him Thursday off.
- Luis Mey (CIN): If Santillan pitches today, it will be consecutive outings, and Pagán threw 32 pitches yesterday.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Atlanta Braves
Handed a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Pierce Johnson worked around Josh Bell’s two-out single with a game-ending strikeout against Dylan Crews. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) without a whiff.
He has a 0.89 WHIP with 18 strikeouts versus four walks (23.3 K-BB%) through 15.2 innings.
- Dylan Lee fired a clean eighth and recorded one strikeout on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) with three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%) for his seventh hold. He faced the 1-2-3 hitters for Washington.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Daysbel Hernández | Dylan Lee
Boston Red Sox
After working in the bottom of the tenth, Greg Weissert returned for the 11th with a two-run lead, allowing Jace Jung’s lead-off single, followed by Javier Báez’s walk-off, three-run home run. Weissert suffered his first loss and his second blown save.
- Aroldis Chapman fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and producing three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- Justin Slaten fired a clean eighth, striking out the side.
- Brennan Bernardino navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
- Garrett Whitlock suffered his fourth blown save, issuing a walk, hitting a batter, and serving up a three-run home run by Báez.
Updated Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Greg Weissert
Chicago White Sox
Although it was a non-save outing, Cam Booser preserved his team’s four-run win in Cincinnati with a clean bottom of the tenth, recording two strikeouts on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
He’s riding a three-game scoreless streak, recording a win and a save with two games finished.
- Steven Wilson suffered his second blown save, giving up a game-tying Elly De La Cruz solo home run, then collected his first win courtesy of his team’s four-run rally at the top of the tenth.
- Jordan Leasure worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless eighth, striking out one and posting his sixth hold.
- Jonathan Cannon logged six scoreless frames as the “bulk follower,” scattering four hits and striking out six.
Hierarchy Remains: *Cam Booser | *Steven Wilson | *Jordan Leasure
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians
Locking down his ninth save, Emmanuel Clase fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, finishing a combined shutout. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He’s converted his last five save chances, striking out eight against one walk (29.1 K-BB%) over six innings.
- Hunter Gaddis notched his 11th hold, retiring the side at the top of the eighth.
- Matt Festa worked a clean seventh, striking out two for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
Detroit Tigers
Benefiting from a walk-off rally at the bottom of the 11th, Beau Brieske collected his first win despite giving up a hit and two runs (one earned) while recording two strikeouts at the top of the inning. Will Vest logged two innings, yielding two hits and an unearned run while striking out three on 36 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with four whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
- Tommy Kahnle let his only inherited runner score, and one earned on his ledger, allowing two hits, including David Hamilton’s home run, handing him his second blown save during one-third of the eighth.
- Brenan Hanifee gets credit for his third hold, giving up a hit and an earned run while striking out one.
- Brant Hurter worked 1.1 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Vest | *Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
*= match-up-based approach
Los Angeles Angels
Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Kenley Jansen issued a lead-off walk and gave up Fernando Tatis Jr.’s walk-off two-run home run, resulting in his second loss. He threw 11 pitches (45.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has a 1.45 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus three walks (16.7 K-BB%) in 11 innings.
- Héctor Neris stranded two runners, walking and striking out one in one-third of the eighth.
- Ryan Zeferjann allowed a hit, two earned runs, and three walks while recording one strikeout in two-thirds of the eighth, suffering his first blown save.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Brock Burke | Ryan Zeferjahn
Miami Marlins
Called upon with a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Jesús Tinoco had the lead-off hitter reach on a fielding error and issued a walk before retiring a batter on a fielder’s choice grounder. However, Nico Hoerner produced an RBI single, and Justin Turner hit a two-RBI double, scoring the game-winning runs. Tinoco only recorded one out, giving up two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk.
- Anthony Bender worked a clean eighth and struck out one for his fourth hold.
- Ronny Henriquez logged two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two.
- Calvin Faucher stranded one of two runners at the bottom of the fifth during a scoreless outing.
Hierarchy Remains: Jesús Tinoco | Calvin Faucher | Anthony Bender
New York Mets
Another white-knuckle ride with Edwin Díaz at the top of the ninth, but he held on for his ninth save, preserving a one-run lead against the Pirates. He issued Adam Frazier a one-out walk, allowed a stolen base, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa reached on a throwing error, putting runners at the corners. He promptly stole second, but Díaz bore down, producing a strikeout against Byran Reynolds before inducing a game-ending Joey Bart groundout. He threw 18 pitches (50 Strike%) and generated only one whiff.
He remains scoreless over his last six appearances and has posted a 1.12 WHIP with 24 strikeouts against eight walks (22.9 K-BB%) through 17 innings.
- Ryne Stanek gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth, securing his third hold. Max Kranick collected his third win, retiring the side in the seventh and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Ryne Stanek | Reed Garrett
New York Yankees
Thrust into a tied game at the bottom of the 11th, Tim Hill suffered his first loss, allowing consecutive singles that scored the “place” runner in Seattle. Devin Williams fired a clean tenth, retiring the 6-7-8 lineup pocket on 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and inducing one whiff. He’s on a modest three-game scoreless streak.
- Luke Weaver took over with his team down one in the eighth and logged two clean frames while striking out three. He threw 21 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (9.5 SwStr%).
- Mark Leiter Jr. retired the side and struck out two in the seventh.
- Fernando Cruz tossed a clean bottom of the sixth, striking out the side. He leads all qualified relievers with 34 strikeouts and ranks third in strikeout percentage (41.5 percent).
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Weaver | Devin Williams | Fernando Cruz
Seattle Mariners
Following a scoreless top of the 11th, Casey Legumina earned his third win when his teammates plated the winning run in walk-off fashion at the bottom of the inning. He allowed a walk while stranding the “place” runner against the Yankees’ 4-5-6-7 batters. Carlos Vargas tossed a scoreless tenth, walking one and striking out two.
Andrés Muñoz suffered his second blown save. He opened the ninth, hitting Paul Goldschmidt with a pitch, and after a stolen base, induced a groundout by Austin Wells, putting the runner at third. Anthony Volpe then reached on a throwing error, scoring the game-tying run. Muñoz retired the next two batters and finished with an unearned run while recording a strikeout, throwing 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
- Matt Brash notched his first hold, allowing a hit and striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
- Gabe Speier stranded a runner, issuing a walk and striking out two during two-thirds of the seventh for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Carlos Vargas | Matt Brash
Texas Rangers
Forced into action with runners on the corners and no outs, Shawn Armstrong replaced Chris Martin (he left with the trainer after throwing one pitch), and retired three consecutive hitters via strikeout for his first save. He threw 17 pitches (64.7 Strike%) without a whiff. This marked his first save since April 7 last year and the ninth of his career. Martin gave up Hunter Goodman’s single and then departed with the trainer.
- Hoby Milner tossed two scoreless frames, scattering two hits while posting his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Jackson | Chris Martin | Robert Garcia
However, Jacob Webb or Armstrong may soon enter the leverage ladder based on Martin’s injury update. Stay tuned.
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Logging two scoreless frames across the eighth and ninth innings, Chris Flexen allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one. He collected his first win due to his team’s walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth. Ryan Pressly inherited a bases-loaded situation by striking out Kyle Stowers on six pitches (83.3 Strike%) with one whiff (16.7 SwStr%)—another step forward for the veteran.
- Colorado Rockies: Appearing during a loss, Zach Agnos allowed two hits, including Josh Jung’s solo home run, and a walk while striking out one. He’s allowed at least a run in consecutive outings.
- Houston Astros: Timing remains key for vulture wins, and Bryan Abreu earned his first after retiring the side at the top of the ninth on 11 pitches (45.5 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He’s turned in 12 consecutive scoreless outings, spanning 11.1 innings while posting 16 strikeouts versus four walks (27.9 K-BB%) through 11.1 innings.
- Kansas City Royals: Taking over a tied contest at the bottom of the ninth, John Schreiber allowed Isaac Paredes’ walk-off solo home run, resulting in his second loss. Lucas Erceg logged 1.2 scoreless frames and recorded one strikeout on 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- San Diego Padres: During a tied contest, Jason Adam retired the side at the top of the ninth, then collected his fourth win due to a walk-off home run at the bottom of the frame. He threw six pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%) while facing the Angels’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket.
- San Francisco Giants: The good news is that Camilo Doval extended his scoreless streak to 15 games while posting his sixth hold. However, he navigated around two hits and a walk on 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) with one whiff during a scoreless top of the eighth against Arizona. He has a 0.76 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against seven walks (9.5 K-BB%) over 19.2 innings.
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