A full slate Saturday featured relievers recording 13 wins across the 15-game slate, though three were accompanied by blown saves, and seven saves while suffering ten losses. Our three takeaways feature the following bullpens: St. Louis Cardinals, The Athletics, and Toronto, followed by game recaps and what to watch for in today’s contests.
For those interested in our premium option (ad-free content), please use this LINK; it is $30 and covers the season. This will be run via Substack for 2026. Please include your preferred email address, and we will manually add you to our ad-free list. You can also Venmo the $30 to @gjewett9.
Not only could Carlos Estévez not preserve the combined shutout, but he also suffered his first blown save and a loss during an epic meltdown in Atlanta. His outing began with a lead-off walk to Drake Baldwin, followed by Matt Olson’s single, a pop-out by Austin Riley, Mike Yastrzemski’s RBI single, a walk, a comebacker scoring the game-tying run, and a walk-off grand slam by Dominic Smith. Estévez allowed four hits, six earned runs, and two walks during one-third of the ninth, resulting in a robust 162.00 ERA. He only threw 12 of his 27 pitches for strikes (44.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff, but his team pointed out the slight uptick in velocity:
What fantasy players must discern is whether his command remains a mechanical issue or if he is scared to throw his fastball in the strike zone. His illustrator:
And, his results, with the walk-off home run by Dominic Smith highlighted:
Anne Rogers covered the rough outing for MLB.com, ending with these thoughts by manager Mike Quattraro:
It also included these notes:
Teams will cite it’s early, but outings like this sting, and losses count the same in March as they do in September. It appears his team will provide him with some runway to improve, but it will narrow quickly if games like this continue for Estévez.
Lucas Erceg navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless eighth and his first hold. Unlike his teammate, Erceg’s velocity rose versus his spring results in this contest:
Matt Strahm secured his first hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh. He is also working at reduced velocity, but was effective in this outing. They will be popular stash candidates in leagues with room on the bench, and they are available in, but nothing is assured.
Three Takeaways
The Stanek “experience”: It’s not a band playing at a local dive bar, but rather the angst a fantasy manager feels when Ryne Stanek is used during high-leverage situations. Apparently, Oli Marmol enjoys the adrenaline rush. Called into action with runners on the corners and two outs at the top of the ninth, Stanek let both inherited runners score on Ben Williamson’s two-RBI single, suffering his first blown save. He returned for the tenth, allowing an unearned run on Yandy Díaz’s single, but retired the next two batters and collected his first win via a walk-off rally. Through two outings, he has a win, a save, and a blown save while posting a 2.57 WHIP, a 3:3 K:BB, a 3.86 ERA with a 5.86 SIERA, and a 56.6 strike percentage. He’s produced a 20.8 percent swinging strike rate, but cannot afford this level of traffic on the bases. If not, his teammates may regain their shared save roles after last year’s trade deadline.
JoJo Romero took over in the eighth against the 8-9-1 lineup pocket, retiring the side and striking out one on 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with one whiff, securing his second hold. Although he lost the combined no-hit bid on Junior Caminero’s lead-off single at the top of the seventh, Riley O’Brien bounced back, inducing a double play grounder by Cedric Mullins, gave up an infield single by Chandler Simpson, then recorded an inning-ending groundout. O’Brien threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff, notching his first hold.
Roles remain in flux for The Athletics: Entering at the bottom of the 11th, Luis Medina incurred his first loss after intentionally walking Daulton Varsho ahead of Ernie Clement’s walk-off, RBI single. Scott Barlow was charged with his first blown save, allowing a single by Andrés Giménez, a strikeout, and an Addison Barger sacrifice fly, scoring the “ghost runner,” putting an unearned run on his ledger. Michael Kelly stranded the bases loaded in the eighth, but allowed Alejandro Kirk’s game-tying home run in the ninth, resulting in his first blown save. Kelley logged 1.1 innings, giving up two hits, an earned run, and striking out one. Hogan Harris took over in the eighth, with two runners on and no outs, letting one score on a Jesús Sánchez single, and the second on a Giménez single, and issued a two-out walk, forcing him from the game. Elvis Alvarado was credited with his first hold, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and two walks (both in the eighth), while striking out two during his combined inning of relief. Mark Leiter Jr. permitted his only inherited runner to score, allowed two hits and an earned run during his two-thirds of the sixth.
In this column by Martín Gallegos on MLB.com, Mark Kotsay said the team is trying to identify roles for the relievers:
And, veteran Scott Barlow could be in the high-leverage trust tree moving forward:
For now, it will be “whack-a-mole” for saves in this leverage ladder.
Texas firm of Garcia, Martin, and Alexander? Handed a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Tyler Alexander hit Otto Kemp with a pitch, induced a pop-out by Trea Turner, struck out Kyle Schwarber, gave up an RBI single by Bryce Harper, scoring an unearned run, then retired Alec Bohm on a pop-out, securing his first save since April 20, 2025. Chris Martin was tagged with his first blown save and awarded his first win after letting both inherited runners score at the bottom of the ninth, though a dropped foul ball (Jake Burger) would have prevented the damage inflicted by an Adolis García double and a game-tying RBI single by Brandon Marsh. Martin finished with two hits and an unearned run while striking out one during his one-third of an inning, throwing 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Robert Garcia was credited with his first hold, despite allowing a hit, two unearned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the ninth. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff. Jakob Junis logged two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts for his first hold. Jalen Beeks fired a clean sixth, striking out one for his first hold.
Skip Schumaker remains comfortable with Garcia and Martin as co-closers, but this bullpen may undergo many changes in members and roles throughout the season.
Vulture Save Options for March 29
- Matt Brash (SEA): Muñoz has appeared in consecutive contests.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): He collected a vulture win yesterday, and with Fairbanks’ having pitched in back-to-back games, a save may ensue if his team sweeps Colorado.
- Lucas Erceg (KC): Estévez may remain a trusted option, but he threw 27 pitches yesterday, meaning he’s likely down in today’s contest.
- Bryan Baker (TB): Firing a clean inning yesterday may earn him a save chance today.
- Shawn Armstrong (CLE): Smith threw 28 pitches in yesterday’s game.
- George Soriano (STL): He emerged with a roster spot after a strong spring. The four high-leverage relievers have had heavy usage patterns in the two previous games.
Here are the remaining results of interest from Saturday’s volatile slate for leverage relievers.
American League
Boston Red Sox
Summoned at the bottom of the 11th, Justin Slaten walked Matt McLain leading off the inning, struck out Elly De La Cruz, then gave up a walk-off, RBI-single by Dane Myers, resulting in his first loss. Garrett Whitlock fired a clean tenth, striking out one while throwing six pitches (83.3 Strike%) without a whiff. Aroldis Chapman kept the game tied with a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded one strikeout on nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). Ryan Watson worked 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing three walks and striking out one.
Cleveland Guardians
Pressed into action at the bottom of the tenth, Connor Brogdon held on for his first save since September 7, 2022. It did not come easily; he allowed a two-run home run (one earned run) by Luke Raley before retiring the next two batters via strikeout, completing a one-run road win at Seattle. Cade Smith allowed Cole Young’s lead-off single, retiring the next hitters via strikeout, but gave up Julio Rodríguez’s game-tying single, intentionally walked Josh Naylor, and recorded an inning-ending strikeout of Randy Arozarena. Smith suffered his first blown save but collected his first win courtesy of his team’s three-run rally in the tenth inning, throwing 28 pitches (16 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) with seven whiffs (25 SwStr%). His four-seam command was lacking in this appearance:
- Shawn Armstrong worked 1.1 scoreless frames, walking and striking out one for his second hold.
- Erik Sabrowski was credited with his second hold, issuing two walks and striking out one over two-thirds of the seventh.
Houston Astros
In a non-save appearance, Bryan Abreu was not sharp. He issued two walks and allowed Nolan Schanuel’s three-run home run, while recording all three outs via strikeout, finishing an eventual two-run win. Abreu threw 26 pitches (12 strikes – 46.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (11.5 SwStr%). His illustrator:
And, his results with the home run highlighted:
Abreu’s command was not sharp this spring, and it carried over into this outing.
- Bryan King allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth.
- Kai-Wei Teng collected his first win, logging 2.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Minnesota Twins
Finishing off his team’s three-run lead, Cole Sands notched his first save of the season, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless bottom of the ninth in Baltimore. He threw 16 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- Justin Topa retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the eighth for his first hold.
- Eric Orze stranded two runners in the sixth and logged 1.1 scoreless frames despite issuing a walk.
- Kody Funderburk worked two-thirds scoreless, yielding two hits and striking out two in the sixth.
- Anthony Banda collected his first win, issuing a walk and striking out two at the bottom of the fifth.
New York Yankees
Securing the sweep, and his second save in as many days, David Bednar worked around a lead-off walk by Heliot Ramos and a Willy Adames single with a strikeout, followed by a game-ending double play groundball by Patrick Bailey. Bednar threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
- Tim Hill tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one for his first hold.
- Jake Bird was awarded his first win, allowing a hit and striking out two over 1.2 scoreless innings.
Seattle Mariners
Things did not go smoothly at the top of the tenth for Andrés Muñoz. Steven Kwan led off with a bunt and reached on Brendon Donovan’s errant throw, scoring the “ghost runner,” followed by Chase DeLauter’s two-run home run. Muñoz settled in and retired the next three batters, one via strikeout, but the damage had been done, resulting in his first loss. He finished with two hits against, three runs (one earned), and one strikeout on 20 pitches (65 Strike%) with six whiffs (30 SwStr%). His illustrator:
And, one tips his cap to DeLauter’s opposite field home run on the highlighted pitch below:
Tampa Bay Rays
Taking over at the bottom of the tenth with a one-run lead, Griffin Jax suffered his second blown save and his first loss, issuing Jordan Walker a lead-off walk, retiring Victor Scott II on a sacrifice bunt, putting two runners into scoring position ahead of JJ Wetherholt’s walk-off, two-RBI single. Jax threw nine pitches (33.3 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff.
- Bryan Baker fired a clean ninth, striking out two on 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%).
- Cole Sulser allowed two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out two over two innings.
Do not be surprised if Baker gets some save chances until Edwin Uceta returns. Jax’s struggles with traffic from last year have resurfaced early this season.
Toronto Blue Jays
Rule 5 pick, Spencer Miles collected his first MLB win after tossing a scoreless top of the 11th, ahead of his team’s walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. Louis Varland issued a lead-off walk (Shea Langeliers), induced a double play grounder, gave up a go-ahead RBI single by Brent Rooker, and recorded a strikeout in the tenth.
- Tyler Rogers fired a clean ninth, striking out two.
- Tommy Nance retired all four batters, one via strikeout, across the seventh and eighth innings.
- Brendon Little suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two during two-thirds of the seventh.
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: During an eventual loss, Anthony Nunez fired two clean frames and recorded three strikeouts while throwing 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) with six whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
- Chicago White Sox: Appearing in a non-save outing, Seranthony Domínguez allowed a Christian Yelich one-out single during a scoreless bottom of the eighth. He threw 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Grant Taylor gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the sixth.
- Los Angeles Angels: Entering at the bottom of the fifth, Walbert Ureña let his only inherited runner score, and finished his combined inning of relief with four hits against, six runs (all unearned), and two walks while striking out one, resulting in his first career loss.
National League
Cincinnati Reds
As noted by Charlie Goldsmith:
Up-downs are difficult this early in the season, and Emilio Pagán could not finish a four-out save, giving up a game-tying solo home run (Wilyer Abreu) during the top of the ninth.
Pagán suffered his first blown save, giving up a hit and an earned run while striking out two on 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) with five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%).
Providing a herculean effort, Connor Phillips earned his first win, tossing two clean frames and stranding both “ghost runners” while striking out three across the tenth and 11th innings. He threw 23 pitches (16 strikes – 69.6 Strike%) and racked up six whiffs (26.1 SwStr%).
Los Angeles Dodgers
Sound the trumpets, Edwin Díaz nailed down his second save by retiring the side and protecting a one-run lead against Arizona. He threw 10 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff while facing the 4-5-6 lineup pocket.
- Will Klein allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth, getting credited with his first win.
- Alex Vesia fired a clean seventh on 12 pitches.
Miami Marlins
Damning the torpedoes and workload concerns, Pete Fairbanks appeared in back-to-back games, slamming the door on his second save, preserving a one-run lead against the Rockies. He retired the side and recorded a strikeout on nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
He’s on pace for 162 saves this season.
- Calvin Faucher collected his first win, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
New York Mets
Even though he allowed two hits and an unearned run at the top of the 11th, Richard Lovelady collected his first win on a walk-off home run at the bottom of the inning. Luis García gave up two hits and an unearned run while striking out one in the tenth.
Devin Williams navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%).
- Brooks Raley fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Luke Weaver allowed a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Philadelphia Phillies
If there’s one weakness for Jhoan Duran, it may be the “ghost runner.” He works best entering with a clean sheet. He suffered his first loss during the top of the tenth, giving up a lead-off single by Wyatt Langford, uncorking a wild pitch scoring the “ghost runner,” striking out Corey Seager and Jake Burger, then letting a second run score on Andrew McCutchen’s RBI-single. Duran suffered his first loss, giving up two hits, two runs (one earned), and striking out two on 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) with five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%).
- Tim Mayza worked two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.
- José Alvarado gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh.
Pittsburgh Pirates
After letting the “ghost runner” score at the bottom of the tenth on an RBI single by Luis Torrens, resulting in his first blown save. Hunter Barco returned for the 11th and issued a walk, followed by a walk-off home run by Luis Robert Jr., handing him his first loss.
- Dennis Santana tossed a scoreless ninth, working around a walk and throwing 18 pitches (8 strikes – 44.4 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). Command has been a struggle for him this spring and regular season.
- Gregory Soto stranded two runners in the seventh and retired four of five batters faced, issuing a walk and striking out three. He threw 27 pitches (15 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (14.8 SwStr%).
San Diego Padres
Locking down his first save of the season, Mason Miller worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending strikeout, preserving the combined shutout. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff while recording two strikeouts in his outing.
- Kyle Hart logged two clean frames and recorded three strikeouts for his first hold.
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: With his team trailing by one, Paul Sewald retired his only batter, Freddie Freeman, on a flyout to center. Juan Morrillo could not preserve the lead or the combined shutout, issuing a walk and serving up a go-ahead two-run home run by Will Smith during his two-thirds of the eighth, resulting in his first loss and a first blown save.
- Atlanta Braves: Firing a clean top of the ninth and striking out the side, Osvaldo Bido was the beneficiary of his teammates’ six-run rally at the bottom of the inning, resulting in his first win. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (25 SwStr%) against the Royals’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket.
- Colorado Rockies: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Jaden Hill was tagged with his first loss, giving up two hits and allowing Owen Caissie’s go-ahead RBI single at the bottom of the eighth. Hill also recorded a strikeout during his 1.2 innings. Zach Agnos logged 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two on 30 pitches (18 strikes – 60 Strike%) with six whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- Milwaukee Brewers: Aaron Ashby collected his first win, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames while walking two and striking out four on 33 pitches (20 strikes – 60.6 Strike%) with five whiffs (15.2 SwStr%). Ángel Zerpa allowed two hits during a scoreless seventh. Abner Uribe fired a clean eighth, striking out two while throwing 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) without a whiff.
- San Francisco Giants: During a loss, Ryan Walker retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth, throwing 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with one whiff against the Yankees’ 6-7-8 hitters.
- Washington Nationals: In an eventual loss, Cole Henry retired the side and recorded a strikeout on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%) while facing the Cubs’ 3-4-5 hitters.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: