Wednesday’s slate provided a little bit of everything. A veteran closer moved up the all-time saves list, and a walk-off rally in Baltimore frustrated fantasy players with Cole Ragans on their roster. Plus, a closer secured his first save after a lengthy substance check in Philadelphia.
Boston Red Sox – Another white-knuckle ride in high-leverage with Kenley Jansen, but he preserved a shutout win in Oakland, navigating around two walks with a game-ending strikeout for his second save of the season. This also marked the 422nd save of his career, moving him into a tie for sixth all-time with Billy Wagner. He threw 21 pitches (10 strikes – 47.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. Through three appearances, he owns a 1.67 WHIP with five strikeouts versus five walks over three innings. Chris Martin notched his second hold, giving up two hits and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Josh Winckowski
Kansas City Royals – Spoiling a strong start by Cole Ragans, closer Will Smith suffered his second loss and first blown save during a walk-off rally in Baltimore. His outing began with a lead-off walk to Ryan Mountcastle, a high-leverage mortal sin, followed by a single, sacrifice bunt, and an intentional walk loading the bases. After recording a strikeout, he gave up a two-RBI single by James McCann. Smith threw 17 pitches (7 strikes – 41.2 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%) working with reduced velocity. Angel Zerpa let both inherited runners score on a sacrifice fly and a single while recording two outs in the eighth for his first hold. James McArthur stranded two runners in the seventh, but struggled in the eighth, giving up two hits and two earned runs. He got credit for his first hold but owns a 2.33 WHIP through his first three innings this season. It’s a small sample, but stashing John Schreiber for a future save chance feels warranted given Smith’s early struggles and drop in velocity.
Hierarchy Tentative Remains: Will Smith | John Schreiber | James McArthur
Cincinnati Reds – Although he underwent a lengthy pre-outing inspection for a tacky substance, Alexis Díaz was allowed to pitch and recorded his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth. He recorded two strikeouts and worked around a two-out single while preserving the three-run win over the Phillies. He threw 24 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. His velocity was down, but it’s likely because of the weather conditions in this contest. Fernando Cruz notched his second hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket. Lucas Sims secured his first hold, tossing a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims | Fernando Cruz
American League (Game Recaps from April 3)
Baltimore Orioles – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Yennier Cano collected his first win after firing a clean top of the ninth and striking out one. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (30 SwStr%). He’s turned in 3.1 scoreless frames early on with three strikeouts against one walk.
Hierarchy Remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Keegan Akin
Minnesota Twins – After his team tacked a run on their lead removing the save chance, Steven Okert tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, walking one and striking out three, closing out a come-from-behind four-run victory. Griffin Jax fired a clean eighth, striking out one on 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%), matching up with Milwaukee’s 2-3-4 lineup pocket for his first hold. Brock Stewart notched his second hold, retiring the side in order in the seventh, recording two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | Steven Okert
New York Yankees – A wild finale in the desert ended in a save for Caleb Ferguson, striking out pitcher Scott McGough with the bases loaded. Ferguson let one of two inherited runners score, giving up a hit, and a walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning. Clay Holmes collected his first win, along with suffering his first blown save, allowing a hit, three unearned runs, and striking out one over 1.1 innings. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and produced two whiffs during his outing. He also hit a batter and uncorked a wild pitch. He owns a 1.38 WHIP with one strikeout over 4.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Jonathan Loáisiga
Texas Rangers – During a non-save appearance, José Leclerc recorded an out before hitting Isaac Paredes with a pitch, then gave up consecutive hits, including an RBI single by Harold Ramírez before retiring the last two batters he faced. He threw 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Through three outings, he owns a 3.00 WHIP and only registered one strikeout over 2.2 innings. David Robertson notched his third hold, working around two hits and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: José Leclerc | Kirby Yates | David Robertson
National League (Game Recaps from April 3)
Arizona Diamondbacks – Taking over in the top of the 11th, Scott McGough allowed two hits and two runs (one earned), while striking out one, resulting in his first loss. Kevin Ginkel served up a two-run home run in the top of the 10th facing Alex Verdugo, scoring the “place” runner, but did not factor in the decision courtesy of his team’s rally in the bottom of the frame. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with one whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson | Scott McGough
Chicago Cubs –Capping a late rally after blowing a large lead, Adbert Alzolay tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, giving up a hit and striking out two for his first save of the year. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He owns a 1.13 WHIP with four strikeouts versus one walk over three innings. Hector Neris suffered his first blown save, but collected his second win, letting all three inherited runners score in the eighth while allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Adbert Alzolay | Hector Neris | Julian Merryweather
Milwaukee Brewers – Joel Payamps suffered his first loss and first blown save, allowing four hits and four earned runs over one-third of the seventh. This marked his fourth outing in six days. In a roster note, Trevor Megill was placed on the seven-day concussion injury list before this contest.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Abner Uribe | Joel Payamps | Hoby Milner
San Diego Padres – Forced into an extended outing, Robert Suarez held on for his third save, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, preserving a one-run win over the Cardinals. It did not come easy, he stranded a runner in the eighth after walking a batter and then induced an inning-ending double play groundout. During the ninth, he allowed a hit and a walk before recording a game-ending strikeout. He threw 33 pitches (20 strikes – 60.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs. He owns a 5:2 K:BB with a 1.25 WHIP through four innings this season.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Wandy Peralta
Washington Nationals – Short memories remain a must for leverage relievers and Kyle Finnegan bounced back with a scoreless ninth, securing his second save. He worked around an error allowing a baserunner and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with one whiff. Hunter Harvey retired all five batters faced, four via strikeout on 26 pitches (16 strikes – 61.5 Strike%), and generated five whiffs (19.2 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Jordan Weems
Ancillary Save Alerts
Los Angeles Angels – First career save alert, this one by Guillermo Zuñiga during an eight-run win in Miami. He fired three clean frames, striking out one, needing only 28 pitches (60.7 Strike%) and producing two whiffs.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Providing Evan Phillips with rest, Dinelson Lamet recorded his first career save, firing a clean top the ninth, striking out two. He threw 11 pitches 63.6 Strike%) with one whiff.
Closer Monkey filthy pitch of the day goes to Fernando Cruz and his splitter, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Vulture Save Alert for Thursday, April 4
Doubleheaders can create strange save situations if there’s a sweep, but it’s a hedge, nothing guaranteed
- DET: Shelby Miller and Will Vest (Alex Lange?)
- NYM: Adam Ottavino and Drew Smith
- KCR: Will Smith has appeared in two straight, James McArthur in two of the last three, which may create a save chance for John Schreiber in today’s contest.
Thursday’s limited slate makes vulture saves very limited on Friday, but we are watching the Marlins leverage ladder closely.
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