Closer hijinks should be expected on Opening Day. However, things were a bit frenetic as the first window of games concluded. Recaps from these outcomes, along with the high-leverage notes of interest get covered in today’s Monkey Bytes.
Detroit Tigers – It did not take long for some chaos on Opening Day courtesy of A.J. Hinch. With one out and a 1-0 lead, Jason Foley took over against the White Sox’s second and third hitters, retiring both on strikeouts for his first save of the season. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). Andrew Chafin notched his first hold, firing 1.1 clean frames and recording two strikeouts. Shelby Miller also secured his first hold with a clean seventh, striking out one. After the game, Hinch explained his thought process on the high-leverage usage pattern against the White Sox in the attached video. Those with Alex Lange on their roster will be frustrated, but if the team’s deploying a match-up-based approach, he and Foley will be accruing saves this year. Wait a week and see how this all plays out moving forward.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Alex Lange | *Jason Foley | Andrew Chafin
San Diego Padres – Racking up his league-leading second save, Robert Suarez served up a solo home run (Michael Conforto) and recorded a strikeout, preserving a two-run win over the Giants. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) with one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). Yuki Matsui collected his first major league win, retiring all four batters faced, but received credit for 1.2 innings courtesy of sacrifice double play. Jhony Brito suffered his second blown save, giving up three hits and two earned runs over one-third of the seventh. Tom Cosgrove fired a clean sixth, striking out two for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Wandy Peralta
Minnesota Twins – Nailing down his first save, Griffin Jax worked around a lead-off walk (Bobby Witt Jr.) by retiring the next three batters and recording one strikeout. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) while generating three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Brock Stewart tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit for his first hold. If the Royals heart of the order arrived in the eighth inning, this may have been a different leverage plan. Plan on Jax being the primary save share, with highest-leveraged reliever tendencies (“fireman“).
Hierarchy Remains: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | Steven Okert
Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 28)
American League
Boston Red Sox – Career save number 421 for Kenley Jansen, and his first of the season. He worked around a lead-off walk by retiring the next three batters, two via strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). Chris Martin secured his first hold, allowing a hit and striking out two in a scoreless eighth. Joely Rodríguez got credit for his first hold, letting an inherited runner score on a home run and striking out two in the seventh. Isaiah Campbell recorded his first hold, giving up a hit and an earned run while striking out one in a combined inning of relief.
Houston Astros – Making a strong team debut, Josh Hader fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side during a one-run loss. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) getting three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). Tayler Scott worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. Ryan Pressly suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the seventh. Rafael Montero gave up a hit and an earned run in the sixth resulting in his first blown save.
New York Yankees – Capping a comeback victory, Clay Holmes navigated around three hits for a scoreless ninth. He threw eight pitches (5 strikes – 62.5 Strike%) and benefited from a runner being thrown out at home on a single by Kyle Tucker by Juan Soto. Ian Hamilton recorded his first hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Jonathan Loáisiga collected his first win, logging two scoreless frames while scattering four hits and striking out one.
Texas Rangers – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, David Robertson collected his first win. He worked a scoreless top of the 10th, navigating around two walks (one intentional) and striking out one. José Leclerc allowed an earned run in the ninth, giving up two walks and uncorking a wild pitch while striking out one. He threw 25 pitches (48 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (12 SwStr%). Kirby Yates fired a clean eighth, striking out one, taking on a left-handed heavy-hitting pocket. Josh Sborz worked around two hits for a scoreless seventh, recording two strikeouts.
National League
Chicago Cubs – Suffering his first loss, Drew Smyly allowed a hit, an unearned run, and two walks over two-thirds of the 10th inning. Adbert Alzolay suffered his first blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run (Travis Jankowski) and issuing a walk in the bottom of the ninth. He threw 20 pitches (55 Strike%) with no whiffs. Hector Neris tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one. Mark Leiter Jr. logged 1.2 clean frames, striking out three.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Taking the baton from Tyler Glasnow, an old-school save for Ryan Yarbrough logging three scoreless frames, allowing a hit, and striking out one, while closing out a six-run win over the Cardinals.
Miami Marlins – Despite a heroic effort, Declan Cronin suffered his first loss, allowing a hit, an unearned run, and two walks (one intentional) while striking out three, covering all three extra stanzas. Tanner Scott worked a scoreless ninth, walking two and striking out two. He threw 26 pitches (11 strikes – 42.3 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). Sixto Sánchez made his first major league appearance since the NLDS in 2020, allowing a game-tying home run (Oneil Cruz), resulting in his first blown save. Anthony Bender held on for his first hold, tossing a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one. Andrew Nardi got credit for a hold but gave up two hits and two earned runs while recording two strikeouts over two-thirds-combined innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Converting his first save of the season and his career, Jose Hernandez stranded the “place” runner while retiring the side in order in the bottom of the 12th. Luis L. Ortiz collected his first win, tossing two scoreless innings and handing out two intentional walks. Aroldis Chapman fired a clean ninth, striking out one, keeping the game tied. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) with one whiff. Ryan Borucki retired all four batters faced and recorded one strikeout. Hunter Stratton gave up a hit and struck out one over two-thirds of the seventh. After the game, it was reported David Bednar (lat) was not available in this contest by Jason Mackey on “X”.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to Jason Foley, firing his “turbo sinker” at 100-plus m.p.h., courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community!
Please consider becoming a premium subscriber for a one-time $20 donation to the site. Featuring full-text emails with charts, column blurbs, and ad-free content.
