Monday’s 11-game slate featured six games decided in blowout fashion (five or more runs), including two shutouts. However, relievers did record one win and four saves while suffering four losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Option for September 9
- Michael Kopech (LAD): Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen have appeared in three of the previous four days. But past practice makes this risky since Dave Roberts will mix-and-match based on lineup pockets in the late innings.
News, Notes, and Observations
As anticipated, the Cubs placed Daniel Palencia (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list:
I am sticking with our projected hierarchy:
Brad Keller | Andrew Kittredge | Caleb Thielbar
Porter Hodge could carve out a high-leverage role, but his command remains a work in progress.
Although appearing during a 1-0 loss, Ryan Helsley retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Phillies’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, throwing 15 pitches (66.7% strike rate) with six whiffs (40 SwStr%).
This may not jump off the page, but it represents a much different approach by Helsley in this appearance. He has struggled with his four-seam fastball this season and leaning into his slider may enhance his results through the end of the season and in the playoffs. His best two months in swinging strike percentage have been June and July (both 18.9 percent):
His performances over the next three weeks and in the postseason may determine his market value this winter as a pending free agent.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Monday.
Leverage Ledger
Atlanta Braves – Locking down his 25th save, Raisel Iglesias retired the side and recorded one strikeout while facing the Cubs’ 4-5-6 hitters. He threw 10 pitches (70% strike rate) and induced one whiff.
He has been scoreless in 18 of his last 19 appearances since July 28, converting all 14 save chances with a 0.526 WHIP and 18 strikeouts versus two walks (23.9 K-BB%) through 19 innings.
- Tyler Kinley fired a clean eighth, striking out one, and secured his 12th hold. This extended his scoreless streak to 13 games, during which he has four wins and three holds with a 0.385 WHIP over 13 innings.
- Pierce Johnson let one of two inherited runners score on a sacrifice fly while retiring both batters in the seventh for his 14th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Raisel Iglesias | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee
Los Angeles Dodgers – It was not dejá vù all over again for Tanner Scott. He did allow Ryan Ritter’s lead-off double at the top of the ninth, then retired the Rockies’ 1-2-3 hitters in order, securing his 21st save while preserving a two-run lead. He threw nine pitches (77.8% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
It’s his first save since August 26, and hopefully, it’s momentum toward a strong finish.
- Blake Treinen notched his eighth hold, retiring the side and striking out one versus the 6-7-8 lineup pocket during the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Michael Kopech | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies – With postseason vibes and a one-run lead, Jhoan Duran worked around Pete Alonso’s lead-off single and a one-out double by Mark Vientos, striking out Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez, securing his 28th save while preserving the combined shutout. He threw 14 pitches (85.7% strike rate) and generated five whiffs (35.7 SwStr%).
Duran has converted 12 of 13 save opportunities since his acquisition, posting a 0.876 WHIP with 17 strikeouts against zero walks (32.1 K-BB%) across 13.2 innings.
- Matt Strahm allowed a walk while notching his 19th hold in the eighth.
- David Robertson fired a clean seventh, striking out two for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Matt Strahm | Orion Kerkering
San Diego Padres – Summoned with two outs at the top of the tenth, Wandy Peralta retired TJ Friedl via flyout, then collected his sixth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
Robert Suarez only needed 15 pitches (60% strike rate), with one whiff, while recording 1.2 clean frames and striking out two.
Mason Miller fired a clean top of the eighth, striking out two on 12 pitches (83.3% strike rate) while generating five whiffs (41.7 SwStr%).
Through three scoreless outings in September, he has recorded seven of his 11 outs via strikeout (63.6 K%) with a robust 46.7 swinging strike percentage.
- Adrian Morejon stranded a runner with an inning-ending lineout, his only batter faced in the seventh.
- Jeremiah Estrada recorded two strikeouts and gave up a two-out double against Matt McLain before being removed.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon
Seattle Mariners – Securing his 33rd save, Andrés Muñoz worked around a one-out walk to Iván Herrera by striking out Alec Burelson and Nolan Gorman, sealing the two-run lead. He threw 17 pitches (64.7% strike rate) and produced five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%).
This was his first appearance in September, and the rest served him well; he had more whiffs in this outing than his last three combined in August.
- Eduard Bazardo retired the side and struck out one for his eighth hold at the top of the eighth.
- Matt Brash fired a clean seventh, striking out two for his 20th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Taking over at the bottom of the fifth, Bradyn Garcia was tagged with his first loss, giving up two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out one in a combined inning, facing batters in the fifth and sixth innings. Anthony DeSclafani let all three inherited runners score in the sixth, and four earned runs on his ledger during his three innings.
- Cincinnati Reds: Tasked with a tied game at the bottom of the tenth, Nick Martinez suffered his 12th loss. He allowed Freddy Fermin to reach on a throwing error after a successful bunt, then allowed the “place” runner to score on a walk-off sacrifice fly by Fernando Tatis Jr. Emilio Pagán retired the side against the 6-7-8 lineup pocket in the eighth. Tony Santillan allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Colorado Rockies: In order of appearance, Juan Mejia let his only inherited runner score at the bottom of the sixth, giving up a hit and two walks while striking out one in a scoreless outing, resulting in his third blown save. Angel Chivilli suffered his fifth loss, allowing two hits and two earned runs in the seventh.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Gordon Graceffo suffered his first loss and second blown save at the top of the sixth. He let both inherited runners score while giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk on his own ledger.
- Texas Rangers: Completing a combined shutout, Chris Martin tossed a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout in a non-save outing against Milwaukee.
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