Closer Monkey | 2026
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Monkey Bytes, May 14: Workload management yields two ancillary saves but David Bednar works in a third consecutive contest, Game Recaps, and more
Monday’s slate provided one postponement, three extra-inning contests, intriguing usage patterns based on workload management, and eight saves recorded during 13 games. For a second straight day, a reliever logged an appearance the last three days, this time it was the “Renegade“, David Bednar securing his eighth with a clean outing in Milwaukee. This and…
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Under the Hood: What’s going on with David Bednar and Héctor Neris
Life, like underlying data, can be tricky. Although time did not allow itself last week, it’s time for another Under the Hood session featuring two relievers in the National League Central. Acknowledging ERA can be a fluky statistic, lets post some surface numbers for the two relievers: Which one owns the lower ERA? As one…
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Monkey Bytes, May 13: Jansen eschews workload management, Beeks records his third save, Durán in HLR purgatory, Game Recaps, and more
Once again, Sunday only provided five saves among its 15 contests, with some intriguing usage patterns. Kenley Jansen appeared for a third straight game, a rarity in the world of workload management. Jalen Beeks has emerged as the preferred save share for the Rockies, closing out a sweep of the defending World Champion Rangers. Even…
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Monkey Bytes, May 12: Kimbrel records his fourth win, Jansen secures his sixth save, Game Recaps, and more
First, a Happy Mother’s Day to our readers, and their families. An extra-inning contest forced manager Brandon Hyde’s hand in the top of the 11th. He brought in Craig Kimbrel into a high-leverage situation, and the veteran closer responded, tossing a scoreless frame and stranding the “place” runner against the heart of Arizona’s lineup. A…
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Steaming for Holds and SOLDS; Week 8
Given the volatility of high-leverage roles and performances, many prefer streaming relievers in leagues with separate categories for holds or those that combine saves plus holds (SOLDS). With this in mind, a snapshot, by league with their leverage trends in chart form. American League Leverage Trends Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/3U0Dm/9/ AL Teams with 7 games in Week…
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