With Opening Day fast approaching, it’s time to focus on spring results and potential changes in bullpen hierarchies with draft season in full swing. Today’s ledger features the WBC semifinal and Spring Training games from Sunday.
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WBC
Team USA
Illustrating why teams try building “superpens,” five relievers combined for 4.2 shutout innings, preserving a one-run win over a loaded Dominican Republic lineup. Mason Miller (SD) held on for his second save of the tournament, working around a one-out and a wild pitch by inducing a groundout, followed by a game-ending strikeout. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS) retired the 3-4-5 lineup pocket in order two via strikeout on 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with four whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- David Bednar (NYY) worked into, and then out of trouble, giving up a one-out double, then a single, by recording consecutive strikeouts.
- Griffin Jax (TB) retired the side on seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) in the sixth.
- Tyler Rogers (TOR) stranded both inherited runners, inducing an inning-ending double play groundout.
Dominican Republic
Keeping the game within one-run, five relievers combined for 5.1 scoreless innings. Camilo Doval (NYY) worked a clean top of the ninth, striking out two.
Seranthony Domínguez (CHW) tossed a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one on 14 pitches (50 Strike%) with one whiff.
Abner Uribe (MIL) fired a clean seventh, striking out one while throwing nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and getting one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
- Huascar Brazobán (NYM) retired all four batters faced, three via strikeout.
- Juan Mejia (COL) gave up a hit and struck out one over a combined inning.
- Gregory Soto (PIT) suffered his first loss, giving up Roman Anthony’s go-ahead home run at the top of the fourth.
Here are the results of interest from Sunday’s spring slate.
Spring Vibes
American League
Boston Red Sox
Aroldis Chapman allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). This outing can be misleading since the veteran closer was working on his secondary pitches.
He also allowed a double steal during his strikeout of Royce Lewis. For reference, his pitch percentages last season:
Through five games, he has six strikeouts versus two walks (18.2 K-BB%) with a 1.713 WHIP across 4.2 innings.
Cleveland Guardians
Cade Smith worked around a lead-off double for a scoreless eighth. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
After four spring appearances, he’s posted a 0.25 WHIP with four strikeouts and zero walks (33.3 K-BB%).
Detroit Tigers
Summoned at the bottom of the sixth, Kyle Finnegan retired the side and recorded two strikeouts on 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Kenley Jansen fired a clean sixth, striking out one on 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%).
Through five outings this spring, he owns a 0.80 WHIP with five strikeouts against one walk (22.2 K-BB%).
Houston Astros
The good news is that Bryan Abreu tossed a scoreless top of the fifth. However, he did issue a walk while throwing 11 pitches (6 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) without a whiff.
Without Josh Hader on Opening Day may mean Abreu’s saving bullets for the regular season, but his strike percentage is below 60, and he’s issued more walks(2) than strikeouts (1); hopefully, his command improves.
Los Angeles Angels
With the closer competition heating up, Drew Pomeranz had a stinker. He gave up two hits, three earned runs, and three walks during his one-third of the third inning.
Kirby Yates fired a clean fourth and recorded a strikeout on 10 pitches (60 Strike%) with one whiff.
Jordan Romano worked a clean sixth, throwing 10 pitches (50 Strike%) and inducing a whiff.
With Robert Stephenon’s setback and Ben Joyce beginning the season on injured reserve, Yates may have the inside track with Mike Maddux in his corner.
Seattle Mariners
Back from the WBC, Andrés Muñoz gave up Rece Hinds’ two-out double and issued a walk before recording his third strikeout in a scoreless top of the sixth. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (26.3 SwStr%).
Combining his WBC results with his spring outings, he has a 1.60 WHIP with six strikeouts versus three walks across five innings.
Texas Rangers
Turning in a much-needed clean outing, Chris Martin retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the fifth. He threw seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (42.9 SwStr%), in by far his best contest this spring.
In the latest Rangers Beat on MLB.com by Kennedi Landry, Martin and Robert Garcia will be the two relievers relied on for save chances by Skip Schumaker:
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Sewald allowed a two-out triple and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh. He threw 21 pitches (16 strikes – 76.2 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%).
His velocity does not jump off the page, but he has “closer” experience and may have the inside track for early save opportunities for Torey Lovullo.
Philadelphia Phillies
Jhoan Duran navigated around a lead-off single and a stolen base for a scoreless seventh. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
He’s logged five appearances this spring and recorded a 0.40 WHIP with seven strikeouts (41.2 K-BB%).
St. Louis Cardinals
In order of appearance, Ryne Stanek tossed a scoreless sixth despite allowing a hit, throwing 10 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff.
JoJo Romero worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out one on eight pitches (75 Strike%) with three whiffs (37.5 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.857 WHIP with seven strikeouts against two walks (19.2 K-BB%) this spring.
Riley O’Brien fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
Washington Nationals
Taking over at the bottom of the eighth, Clayton Beeter allowed a lead-off single, a one-out stolen base, and with two outs, a hitter reached on an error, scoring an unearned run. Beeter finished with three strikeouts, but a wild pitch let a batter reach base, creating an interesting statistical line for two-thirds of an inning. He threw 25 pitches (64 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (24 SwStr%).
Drew Smith stranded two runners while retiring his only batter on three pitches (all strikes).
Beeter has been better of late, but inefficient outings will be part of his growth process during high-leverage events.
Thanks for being part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: