Sunday featured relievers recording six wins and six losses while securing nine saves. Our three takeaways feature: Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox, and Colorado after a mini-deep dive into Bryan Abreu.
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Identifying stable sources of saves has been a challenge early in this season, and if an injury affects another high-leverage reliever in Houston, another matchup-based committee may create more chaos in an already delicate ecosystem. Usage patterns by Joe Espada have been scrutinized in the past as a potential contributor to Josh Hader’s injuries because of overuse with not enough rest after multi-inning outings. Bryan Abreu was used on Saturday night with his team ahead by five runs. He struggled, issuing two walks and giving up a three-run home run by Nolan Schanuel while recording three strikeouts on 26 pitches, averaging 95.79 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball according to Brooks Baseball.
Abreu was called upon again on Sunday for a save chance after an elevated pitch count, prompting this note by Chandler Rome on Twitter:
As one can surmise, things did not go well on Sunday. He struggled with his command for a second straight day, issuing two walks, resulting in an earned run while throwing 14 pitches (4 strikes – 28.6 Strike%) without a whiff over his one-third of the ninth.
And, his illustrator:
Spring results are useful for tracking command, strike percentage, and strikeouts versus walks, but relievers are often working with reduced velocity, new pitch sequences, or a new wrinkle in their arsenal. With this in mind, Abreu’s struggles with command have been ongoing for over a month:
Pitching with reduced velocity has made him less comfortable to attack hitters in the strike zone, resulting in more traffic and free passes. Through two games, he has thrown 16 of his 40 pitches for strikes (40 Strike%) with more walks (four) than strikeouts (three), resulting in a negative 11.1 K-BB percentage and a 3.75 WHIP. Yes, it’s early, but the velocity has not rebounded with the regular season beginning:
It may be a result of recording at least 70 appearances in each of the three previous seasons, or working in a day game following a high pitch count the night before, but it’s concerning nonetheless, and should be monitored moving forward.
Abreu was bailed out by his teammate. Pressed into action with two runners on and one out at the top of the ninth, Bryan King stranded one of two runners, letting one score on Nolan Schanuel’s RBI single, then bore down, striking out Jorge Soler and Yoán Moncada for his first save. He threw 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) with one whiff. Also from this contest, A.J. Blubaugh collected his first win, tossing two clean frames and striking out two. He and Teng will be key components if the team needs to share save chances if Abreu does not improve his command or his velocity does not bounce back.
Three Takeaways
A narrative shift in Kansas City: Following an ugly blown save on Saturday, the team and the manager, Mike Quattraro, stood by their All-Star closer, Carlos Estévez. Despite this, many fantasy managers had previously stashed Lucas Erceg or added him after this outing. Before the game on Sunday, the tone changed:
Closing out a three-run lead in Atlanta, Lucas Erceg recorded his first save, working around a Mike Yastrzemski’s one-out single with a game-ending double play groundout by Ozzie Albies. Erceg threw 12 pitches (58.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff while recording a strikeout in his outing.
John Schreiber allowed a solo home run (Drake Baldwin) and struck out one in the eighth. Matt Strahm notched his second hold, stranding a runner while retiring both batters in the seventh. It’s been intimated that the team will mix and match in the late innings, which means Strahm will be available for save chances, but Erceg will be the preferred option until Estévez can return to high-leverage events, which, given his velocity since February, may not be anytime soon. Plan accordingly.
Seranthony in the eighth, what could go wrong? Used at the highest-leverage reliever, Seranthony Domínguez took over at the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded and one out. He let all three runners score, allowing Luis Rengifo’s two-RBI single, followed by Christian Yelich’s pinch-hit three-run home run, putting two earned runs on his ledger. After walking Sal Frelich, he was removed, but the damage had been done, resulting in his first loss and a first blown save while recording one out.
If there’s a flaw for Domínguez, it’s left-handed hitters based on these splits:
Chris Murphy gave up three hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out one over his one-third of the eighth. Grant Taylor tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three on 24 pitches (14 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) with one whiff.
Death, taxes, and traffic for Vodnik: Yes, Victor Vodnik finished last year with a flurry, converting eight of nine saves from August 12 until the end of the season. However, he struggled with his command and WHIP results this spring, including WBC contests. Across eight appearances, he posted a 2.174 WHIP with six strikeouts versus seven walks, and a 51.9 strike percentage in his combined outings. During his first save chance on Sunday, he stranded his two inherited runners with an inning-ending strikeout. Returning for the ninth, he allowed a lead-off single, induced a lineout double play line drive to first base, gave up Javier Sanoja’s two-out double, and a walk-off two-run home run by Owen Caissie. Vodnik was charged with his first loss and a blown save, giving up three hits and two earned runs during his combined inning of relief. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced one whiff.
Command in the strike zone matters, and this chart did not go well for Colorado’s closer.
Vulture Save Options for March 30
- Abner Uribe (MIL): If Pat Murphy meant what he said about managing his relievers’ workloads, Megill may get today off, opening the door for a save by Uribe with Ángel Zerpa setting him up.
- Gregory Soto (PIT): He’s off to a strong start, and Santana’s pitched in back-to-back games.
- Connor Phillips (CIN): Pagán and Santillan incurred heavy usage patterns last year and have pitched in both games this weekend. Graham Ashcraft could also be used, but I prefer Phillips.
- Jakob Junis (TEX): Garcia, Martin, and Winn have all pitched in back-to-back games.
- John Schreiber (KC): Erceg and Strahm have appeared in consecutive contests; Estévez was last seen in a walking boot.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Shutting the door on his second save, Ryan Helsley worked a scoreless top of the ninth, giving up a Luke Keaschall’s lead-off single and a batter reaching on an error with a game-ending flyout. He threw 20 pitches (55 Strike%) without a whiff while recording a strikeout in this outing.
He owns a 1.00 WHIP with four strikeouts after two games.
- Yennier Cano stranded the bases loaded with an inning-ending strikeout of Byron Buxton for his first hold.
- Tyler Wells was credited with his second hold but gave up two hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two over two-thirds of the eighth.
- Rico García collected his first win, also stranding all three inherited runners with an inning-ending strikeout at the top of the seventh.
Tampa Bay Rays
Closing out a four-run lead, Bryan Baker fired a clean bottom of the ninth, retiring the Cardinals’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with one whiff.
He’s turned in two clean appearances in this series and two strikeouts, putting himself into the conversation for future save chances.
- Garrett Cleavinger worked around a hit and two walks while striking out one for his second hold in a scoreless seventh.
Texas Rangers
Finishing off a five-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Robert Garcia was scoreless, walking and striking out one on 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
- Chris Martin stranded both inherited runners, inducing an inning-ending lineout by J.T. Realmuto on only three pitches.
- Carter Baumler logged 1.2 innings, giving up a hit, an earned run, and four walks while striking out two.
- Cole Winn notched his first hold, retiring both batters in the sixth, but letting one of three inherited runners score on a sacrifice fly.
Yes, the team recorded a win by five runs, but Skip Schumaker used his highest-leveraged relievers in consecutive contests:
Toronto Blue Jays
Nailing down his first save, Jeff Hoffman tossed a scoreless ninth, giving up a two-out single by Jacob Wilson and recording two strikeouts. He threw 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (40 SwStr%).
Through two outings, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with six strikeouts of nine batters faced (66.7 K%).
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Entering the bottom of the sixth with a runner on, Greg Weissert issued a walk and gave up Eugenio Suárez’s go-ahead three-run home run, resulting in his first loss and a first blown save.
- Los Angeles Angels: With the score tied at the bottom of the eighth, Drew Pomeranz allowed two hits, three earned runs, and two walks while getting tagged with his first loss. His WHIP sits at 2.00 after two games.
- Minnesota Twins: Taking over at the bottom of the fifth, Mick Abel suffered his first loss, allowing eight hits, five earned runs, and four walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings.
- Seattle Mariners: Completing a combined shutout and securing his first save of the season, Cooper Criswell allowed two hits and recorded five strikeouts against Cleveland. He threw 44 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced six whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). This outing provided his teammates with much-needed rest.
- The Athletics: As the “bulk follower,” J.T. Ginn tossed 3.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
National League
Cincinnati Reds
Dealing with traffic while protecting a one-run lead, Emilio Pagán survived Andruw Monasterio’s double and an intentional walk (Roman Anthony) by inducing a game-ending flyout by Trevor Story, securing his first save. Pagán threw 12 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced one whiff.
He’s recorded a 1.29 WHIP with two strikeouts across 2.1 innings.
- Tony Santillan navigated around a hit and two walks while striking out two in a scoreless eighth, notching his second hold.
- Pierce Johnson allowed a hit and recorded two outs in the seventh for his second hold.
- Brock Burke collected his first win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk.
Milwaukee Brewers
Capping his team’s rally, Trevor Megill worked a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing a lead-off single (Tristan Peters), then retiring the next three batters, two via strikeout, for his first save of the season. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (40 SwStr%).
- Jake Woodford earned his first win, logging two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Jared Koenig fired a clean sixth, striking out the side.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Called upon with a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, José Urquidy let the “ghost runner” score after walking Francisco Lindor and allowing Juan Soto’s RBI double, with the second runner being thrown out at home. Urquidy settled in, retiring Bo Bichette (groundout) and Jorge Polanco (flyout) for his first save of the season, and the second in his MLB career.
Dennis Santana collected his first win, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the ninth on 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
Despite his manager suggesting he would not be reserved for the ninth inning, Santana has appeared there in two of his three appearances this season.
- Isaac Mattson fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Mason Montgomery worked around two hits with three strikeouts in a scoreless seventh.
Washington Nationals
Preserving a three-run lead, Clayton Beeter secured his first save, retiring the side on six pitches (all strikes) without a whiff while facing the Cubs’ 5-6-7 hitters.
- Cionel Pérez gave up Alex Bregman’s solo home run and recorded a strikeout in the eighth.
- Gus Varland notched his first hold, retiring all four batters and striking out one.
- PJ Poulin worked two-thirds scoreless in the sixth, walking and striking out one, securing his first hold.
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Working in relief, Didier Fuentes worked four innings, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out four on 56 pitches (36 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) with four whiffs (7.1 SwStr%).
- Chicago Cubs: Getting in work during a loss, Daniel Palencia allowed two hits and recorded a strikeout against the Nationals at the top of the ninth. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) with four whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- New York Mets: Summoned at the top of the tenth, Richard Lovelady suffered his first loss, giving up two hits, two runs (one earned), and two walks while striking out one. Luke Weaver issued two walks and struck out one in a scoreless ninth.
- Philadelphia Phillies: During an eventual loss, Brad Keller tossed a clean top of the eighth and recorded a strikeout on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) with one whiff.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Logging two scoreless innings, Justin Bruihl allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two. George Soriano fired a clean seventh on 12 pitches in an eventual loss.
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