First, and foremost, Happy Easter to those who celebrate. Saturday provided a full slate, though teams on the West Coast played through the rain. Despite this season’s limited sample, chaos reigns supreme across the saves landscape, but perhaps not in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Brewers – For a second straight day, Pat Murphy called upon Abner Uribe for the save opportunity. Uribe converted his second save, working around a solo home run (Pete Alonso), and striking out two while preserving a one-run win. He threw 18 pitches (72.2 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Through two games, he owns a 0.50 WHIP with two strikeouts. Hoby Milner let both inherited runners score, giving up a three-run home run by Brett Baty in the eighth. Bryce Wilson gave up two hits and two earned runs over one-third of the eighth. Trevor Megill navigated around two hits for a scoreless seventh while recording all three outs via strikeout. Elvis Peguero collected his first win, firing two clean frames on 26 pitches. Both Uribe and Megill have pitched in two straight games, which means Joel Payamps should be in line for the save chance, if provided, on Sunday.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Abner Uribe | *Joel Payamps | Trevor Megill
Boston Red Sox – It’s a tough spot making an MLB debut in the bottom of the 10th, with a runner in scoring position, and Justin Slaten gave up a walk-off RBI-single by Julio Rodríguez. This handed Joely Rodríguez his first loss and blown save after giving up two hits and three runs (two earned) in one-third of the 10th. Greg Weissert tossed a scoreless ninth, walking one and striking out two, keeping the game tied. Chris Martin worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. Isaiah Campbell fired a clean seventh, striking out two. The biggest question remains, where was Kenley Jansen who last pitched on Thursday? In this post-game interview, Alex Cora commented his closer had a tight back and was unavailable. This type of injury can linger, which puts Martin on the radar for a vulture save or as a back-up for them moving forward. It sounds like this was preemptive, but fantasy players must monitor Jansen’s availability closely.
Hierarchy Tentatively Remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Josh Winckowski
Detroit Tigers – Logging two scoreless frames, including the bottom of the 10th, Shelby Miller collected his first win. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) with one whiff. Through two clean outings, he’s recorded two strikeouts over three innings. Will Vest worked 1.2 scoreless innings, stranding the bases-loaded in the seventh, and giving up a hit while striking out two, keeping the game tied. Alex Lange entered in the seventh but walked the bases loaded and recorded on out, throwing 23 pitches (8 strikes – 34.8 Strike%). Tyler Holton tossed a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out one. Alex Faedo turned in 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out one. This usage pattern lines up Jason Foley and Andrew Chafin for the high-leverage innings if presented on Sunday.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
Houston Astros – Although we’re only three games into the season, this bullpen has been abysmal. Down by two runs, Josh Hader tossed a scoreless ninth, walking one and striking out two. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). He’s appeared in two of the first three games, which puts his status for Sunday in question. Ryan Pressly served up a solo home run (Anthony Volpe) and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth. Bryan Abreu made his season debut but suffered his first loss and blown save, giving up two hits, both home runs, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one. Less than optimal for what many called a dominant triumvirate in the preseason.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Because there were so many high-leverage events of the interest, the remaining recaps will be split by league.
American League Recaps (March 30)
Chicago White Sox – Taking over a tied game in the top of the 10th, Deivi García gave up a go-ahead RBI single by Carson Kelly, scoring the “place” runner, resulting in his first loss. He did record two strikeouts in this outing. John Brebbia retired the 3-4-5 lineup pocket on five pitches in the ninth. Steven Wilson worked a clean eighth versus the 9-1-2 hitters. Tim Hill suffered his first blown save, letting his only inherited runner score on a Kelly single, and recorded two outs. Dominic Leone got credit for his first hold despite serving up a solo home run among his two hits and permitting two earned runs over one-third of the seventh. Jordan Leasure made his MLB debut, tossing a scoreless sixth. He worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Michael Kopech | *John Brebbia | Steven Wilson
Kansas City Royals – A rough team debut for Will Smith, suffering his first loss while giving up two hits, four earned runs, and two walks in the top of the ninth. He threw 25 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (16 SwStr%). James McArthur got tagged with his first blown save, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth. John Schreiber navigated around two hits with a strikeout and an inning-ending double play for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Will Smith | James McArthur | John Schreiber
Minnesota Twins – Once again matched up with the top of the Royals lineup, Griffin Jax worked around a one-out walk (Bobby Witt Jr.) for a scoreless eighth, and striking out one while collecting his first win. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and generated one whiff. Through two games, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with two strikeouts against two walks over two innings. After warming up for a potential save chance, Brock Stewart turned in a scoreless ninth, preserving the four-run win, recording all three outs via strikeout on 22 pitches (68.2 Strike%) with two whiffs. Steven Okert tossed a scoreless combined inning, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one. Jorge Alcala retired both batters he faced in the seventh inning.
Hierarchy Remains: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | Steven Okert
New York Yankees – Capping a third straight comeback win in Houston, Clay Holmes secured his second save working a scoreless ninth, working around a hit batter (Jeremy Peña) with three ground outs. He threw 11 pitches (6 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) with one whiff. Ian Hamilton racked up his second hold, firing two clean frames and striking out two on 20 pitches (80 Strike%) while producing six whiffs (30 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.33 WHIP with three strikeouts through three scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Jonathan Loáisiga
Oakland A’s – An inauspicious season debut for Mason Miller. He allowed three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one. He threw 30 pitches (19 strikes – 63.3 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). There may be a transition period for him as a leverage reliever, but there’s not much juice entering a game trailing by seven. Lucas Erceg worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. Dany Jiménez logged 1.1 innings, stranding a runner in the fourth, but gave up a hit, two unearned runs, and a walk during his outing. Because of the elevated pitch count for Miller, Erceg could be a vulture save candidate later today.
Hierarchy Remains: *Mason Miller | *Lucas Erceg | Dany Jiménez
Seattle Mariners – Benefiting from a walk-off in the bottom of the 10th, Tayler Saucedo garnered his first win despite letting his only inherited runner score while giving up a hit and a walk over one-third of an inning in the top of the frame. Trent Thornton allowed two hits and two runs (one earned) while recording two outs in the 10th. Austin Voth worked a scoreless ninth, walking one and striking out three. Gabe Speier fired a clean eighth, striking out two on 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Gabe Speier
Tampa Bay Rays – Collecting his second win this spring, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean eighth, striking out one on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s made six appearances and posted a 0.88 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus two walks over 5.2 innings. Colin Poche only retired one batter and walked two in the seventh. Jason Adam worked a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Texas Rangers – Although José Leclerc warmed up for the save, the Rangers blew the game open with a six-run eighth, so Brock Burke closed out the nine-run win with a scoreless ninth, walking one and striking out one. Kirby Yates worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit for his first hold. David Robertson gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh while securing his first hold. Josh Sborz fired a clean sixth, striking out one for his first hold.
Adjusted Hierarchy: José Leclerc | Kirby Yates | Josh Sborz
National League Recaps (March 30)
Atlanta Braves – Forced into an impromptu bullpen game, Jesse Chavez logged three innings while collecting his first win, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one. Tyler Matzek worked 1.1 scoreless frames for his first hold, scattering two hits. Pierce Johnson tossed a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out one. Dylan Lee turned in two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out one. Raisel Iglesias made his season debut with a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit and striking out one on eight pitches (75 Strike%) with one whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Pierce Johnson
Cincinnati Reds – Following up a rough spring, Alexis Díaz suffered his first loss and blown save, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one over one-third of the ninth versus the Nationals. He did not benefit from a couple of close calls, but traffic infused outings for closers rarely end well. He threw 20 pitches (45 Strike%) and produced one whiff. Brent Suter recorded the last two outs in the ninth, stranding two of three runners. In the eighth, Lucas Sims gave up two hits, including a solo home run, and struck out one during his first blown save. Fernando Cruz got credit for his first hold, allowing a hit and an earned run while striking out four over 1.1 innings. Justin Wilson tossed a scoreless combined inning, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims | Emilio Pagán
Colorado Rockies – During a non-save outing, Justin Lawrence worked around a lead-off walk by inducing a ground ball double play and a game-ending fly out while facing Arizona’s 2-3-4 batters. He threw 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) without a whiff. Tyler Kinley tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one. Nick Mears retired all three batters faced in the seventh, stranding two runners and recording a strikeout for his first hold. Jalen Beeks issued two walks and recorded one out in a combined one-third of an inning for his first hold. Peter Lambert collected his first win, logging a scoreless combined innings, navigating around a hit and two walks.
Hierarchy Remains: Justin Lawrence | Tyler Kinley | Nick Mears
Los Angeles Dodgers – Appearing on consecutive days, Evan Phillips retired his only batter faced via strikeout on five pitches (60 Strike%) with one whiff (20 SwStr%). Kyle Hurt suffered his first loss, giving up a hit and an unearned run while striking out three over 2.2 innings. Alex Vesia stranded a runner and walked one during his one-third of the seventh. Joe Kelly went nuclear allowing three hits, five runs (four earned), a hit batter, a balk, and a walk resulting in his first blown save. Daniel Hudson secured his first hold, firing a clean sixth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Evan Phillips | Joe Kelly | Daniel Hudson
New York Mets – Although trailing by two runs, the trumpets blared to signal the return of Edwin Díaz. He worked a scoreless ninth during his first major league outing since 2022, allowing a hit and striking out one. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Adam Ottavino gave up three hits and an earned run while striking out two in the eighth. Jorge López stranded a runner while walking one and striking out one over two-thirds of the seventh. Yohan Ramírez recorded a strikeout before being ejected for throwing behind Rhys Hoskins. Jake Diekman fired a clean sixth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Adam Ottavino | Brooks Raley
Pittsburgh Pirates – Finishing off a six-run win, David Bednar made his season debut with a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%):
Jose Hernandez retired the side in order in the eighth. Hunter Stratton gave up a hit and struck out one over two-thirds of the seventh. Ryan Borucki got credit for his first hold despite letting one of two inherited runners score, yielding a hit and striking out one over two-thirds combined innings.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Ryan Borucki
San Francisco Giants – Pressed into duty with the lead evaporating, Camilo Doval did not fare well, allowing two earned runs on a walk and a home run (Grant Pauley) while recording two outs, finishing off a 9-6 win in a non-save appearance. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He also frustrated his manager by getting two pitch clock violations, per Andrew Baggarly on “X”. Erik Miller gave up a hit, three earned runs, and three walks while striking out one in one-third of the ninth. Tyler Rogers notched his first hold, retiring his only batter-faced. Taylor Rogers logged 1.2 innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Camilo Doval | Taylor Rogers | Tyler Rogers
St. Louis Cardinals – Running on fumes, Giovanny Gallegos bent but did not break, recording his first save while stranding the “place” runner despite giving up an infield hit and a walk with one strikeout, finishing off a one-run win. He threw 27 pitches (14 strikes – 51.9 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (18.5 SwStr%). Ryan Hesley was awarded his first win and his first blown save, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out two. He produced five whiffs (18.5 SwStr%) while throwing 27 pitches (66.7 Strike%). Andrew Kittredge notched his first hold firing a clean eighth, striking out one. JoJo Romero got credit for his first hold, yielding two hits and an earned run with two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Giovanny Gallegos | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Capping his team’s ninth inning rally, Kyle Finnegan recorded his first save, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless ninth. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). Hunter Harvey collected his first win even though he allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in the bottom of the eighth. Jordan Weems fired a clean seventh, striking out one. Derek Law logged 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Matt Barnes
Closer Monkey’s filthy sequence of the day goes to Ian Hamilton, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Sunday’s vulture save candidates:
- Joel Payamps (MIL)
- Chris Martin (BOS)
- Aroldis Chapman (PIT)
- Daniel Hudson (LAD)
- Lucas Erceg (OAK)
Until next time, stay safe and be well.
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.
