Saturday’s full slate provided some intriguing and frustrating appearances across its 15 contests. Today’s post will highlight high-leverage events of interest, along with some notes about reliever’s performances in them.
Texas Rangers – Pressed into duty when Josh Sborz had to leave during the eighth with an injury after retiring both batters faced, getting credit for his second hold, José Leclerc recorded a strikeout on one pitch against José Abreu, then navigated around two hits for 1.1 scoreless frames for his first save. He threw 23 pitches (17 strikes – 73.9 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 2.50 WHIP with two strikeouts versus five walks through five innings. David Robertson retired the side in order in the seventh for his fourth hold. Kirby Yates fired a clean sixth, striking out two while collecting his first win.
Hierarchy remains: José Leclerc | Kirby Yates | David Robertson
Atlanta Braves – Capping a tremendous comeback, Raisel Iglesias registered his first save of the year, retiring the side in order in the ninth, finishing off a one-run win. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). A.J. Minter collected his first win, firing a clean eighth and striking out one on 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Pierce Johnson
American League (Game Recaps from April 6)
Cleveland Guardians – Shutting the door on his fourth save, Emmanuel Clase navigated around a two-out single by Carlos Correa with a game-ending strikeout of Alex Kiriloff. He threw 27 pitches (19 strikes – 70.4 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (18.5 SwStr%). He owns a 1.00 WHIP with four strikeouts over four innings. Tyler Beede notched his second hold, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Scott Barlow earned his fourth hold, navigating around two walks for a scoreless seventh, entering against the top of the lineup.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Scott Barlow | Tyler Beede
Los Angeles Angels – Nailing down his third save, Carlos Estévez fired a clean ninth, striking out one. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He owns a 0.33 WHIP with one strikeout over his first three innings and converted all three save chances. Matt Moore retired the side in order in the eighth for his second hold. Adam Cimber worked a clean seventh, striking out one for his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | José Soriano
New York Yankees – Forced into action in the ninth, Clay Holmes let both inherited runners score on a ground-out and an RBI single by Cavan Biggio before a game-ending strikeout of George Springer for his fourth save. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He owns a 1.40 WHIP with two strikeouts over five innings. Ian Hamilton struggled, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk over two-thirds combined innings.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Caleb Ferguson
Seattle Mariners – Locking down his second save, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean bottom of the ninth, including a game-ending strikeout. He displayed a short memory, throwing 13 pitches (61.5 Strike%) and producing one whiff working on consecutive days for the first time this season.
Trent Thornton notched his first hold, retiring his only batter faced and stranding two runners in the eighth. Gabe Speier issued two walks and recorded one out in the eighth, getting credit for his third hold despite letting his only inherited runner score.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Gabe Speier
National League (Game Recaps from April 6)
Philadelphia Phillies – Appearing for a second straight day, José Alvarado worked a scoreless ninth, walking one and striking out one for his second save of the season. He threw 28 pitches (19 strikes – 67.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s on a modest four-game scoreless streak and owns a 1.00 WHIP through his first 3.2 innings. Gregory Soto notched his second hold, retiring his only batter faced in the eighth. Jeff Hoffman logged 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing a walk and striking out one on 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%).
Updated Hierarchy: José Alvarado | Jeff Hoffman | Gregory Soto
Pittsburgh Pirates – Benefiting from a walk-off in the bottom of the 11th, Josh Fleming collected his first win after retiring his only batter faced in the top of the frame. Luis L. Ortiz logged 1.2 innings, giving up an unearned run and recording two strikeouts. David Bednar suffered his second blown save, allowing two hits, an earned run, and striking out one in the ninth. He threw 27 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). He’s made four appearances and owns a 0.75 WHIP while converting one of three save opportunities. Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out two for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Ryan Borucki
St. Louis Cardinals – Finishing off his third save, Ryan Helsley worked around a two-out single by Tim Anderson for a scoreless ninth, needing only six pitches (83.3 Strike%) with one whiff (16.7 SwStr%). Andrew Kittredge held on for his fourth hold, giving up two hits, including an RBI single by Josh Bell, and recorded a strikeout in the eighth. JoJo Romero tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one for his third hold. Giovanny Gallegos retired the side in order in the sixth, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Giovanny Gallegos | JoJo Romero
Ancillary Saves (from April 6)
Kansas City Royals – Providing teammates with much-needed rest, Chris Stratton preserved the shutout while recording his first save of the season with a clean ninth, and striking out one. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without registering a whiff. He initially warmed for the eighth with the score tied, then was held back for the save chance once his team took the lead. Nick Anderson worked the eighth, navigating around a double and a walk, while striking out one in a scoreless eighth, securing his first hold. Angel Zerpa was warming in case he was needed against a left-handed hitter in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains in flux: *James McArthur | *Will Smith | John Schreiber
Tampa Bay Rays – Matched up with the Rockies’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket, Colin Poche secured his first save, retiring the side in order and striking out one. He threw 10 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. Jason Adam fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his first hold, throwing 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and inducing two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). Garrett Cleavinger collected his first win, retiring his only batter faced in the seventh and stranding a runner.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Quick Hits
Baltimore Orioles – Craig Kimbrel fired a clean ninth, striking out one, and kept the game tied. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) while getting one whiff. He’s appeared on consecutive days.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Boston Red Sox – Although his team lost by one, Justin Slaten fired two clean frames, recording five strikeouts, and throwing 26 pitches (16 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) with an eye-popping eight whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). He’s posted a minuscule 0.18 WHIP with six strikeouts over 5.2 scoreless innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Isaiah Campbell
Cincinnati Reds – Wrapping up a win over the Mets, Alexis Díaz issued a lead-off walk in a non-save appearance, a leverage no-no. After inducing a fielder’s choice ground-out, he gave up a single by Brett Baty, driving in Pete Alonso after he moved up on defensive indifference. Díaz’s final line was one hit against, an earned run, and a walk on 25 pitches (64 Strike%) without a whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims | Fernando Cruz
Colorado Rockies – Back in the saddle after a rough outing on Friday, Justin Lawrence took over with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth. He induced a groundball which took a wicked hop, resulting in a two-RBI single scoring two of the three inherited runners. He rebounded quickly with an inning-ending groundout and a scoreless ninth, retiring the side in order while recording two strikeouts. He threw 25 pitches (64 Strike%) and produced two whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: Justin Lawrence | Nick Mears | Jake Bird
Houston Astros – Rough outing alert for Ryan Pressly. He gave up five hits and four earned runs while striking out one over one-third of the eighth. He owns a 3.38 WHIP with four strikeouts over his first four games, spanning 2.2 innings
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Los Angeles Dodgers – During a non-save outing, Evan Phillips struggled, like many closers do, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk, while striking out one, finishing off a 4-1 win over the Cubs. He threw 23 pitches (14 strikes – 60.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13 SwStr%). He owns a 0.86 WHIP with six strikeouts versus one walk through his first 4.2 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Joe Kelly
Miami Marlins – The good news, is Tanner Scott faced three hitters, though he received an assist from his catcher. Taking over against the 6-7-8 pocket in the bottom of the eighth of an eventual loss, he worked around an error by his second baseman with a game-ending caught stealing. But, he threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) without a whiff and displayed no command issues.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | Andrew Nardi | Anthony Bender
Oakland A’s – Preserving a combined shutout, Mason Miller navigated around two hits and a walk while striking out three over two innings. He threw 35 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (11.4 SwStr%). He entered in the eighth against the 8-9-1 pocket and finished off the win. He owns a 1.80 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus three walks through five innings. Per Sarah Langes of MLB.com, Miller has thrown 29 pitches at 100+ m.p.h. this season, 12 more than anyone else.
Updated Hierarchy: *Mason Miller | *Dany Jiménez | Austin Adams
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Preserving a combined shutout, Robert Suarez worked a scoreless ninth, walking one and striking out one. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and generating three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.20 WHIP with six strikeouts against three walks through five innings.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Wandy Peralta
Vulture Save Options for April 7
ATL: Iglesias has appeared in two straight putting A.J. Minter in line for a save chance on Sunday
BAL: Kimbrel’s worked on consecutive days and Yennier Cano was off on Saturday
COL: Risky because of the venue, but Justin Lawrence has pitched on back-to-back days, Nick Mears lines up as the vulture today
OAK: Miller threw 35 pitches on Saturday, so it could be Dany Jiménez for the save chance on Sunday
PHI: Alvarado has appeared in two straight and Hoffman logged 1.2 innings on Saturday, putting Matt Strahm or Gregory Soto in line for the save
PIT: If the team rests high-leverage relievers (Bednar and Chapman), Ryan Borucki and Hunter Stratton could be in play either today or tomorrow.
SEA: Muñoz has pitched consecutive days lining up Ryne Stanek for the save opp if provided
TBR: If the team prefers not to use Fairbanks in Coors, Phil Maton would be the target
Vulture Save Options for Monday, April 8
CHC: If Alzolay pitches on Sunday, Hector Neris for Monday
CIN: If Díaz works on Sunday, Lucas Sims for Monday
LAA: Estévez notched the save on Saturday and if he does on Sunday, Luis García received the last ancillary save opportunity
MIA: Provided the Marlins win on Sunday, and Scott secures the save, he would be unavailable on Monday, putting Anthony Bender in line for the save chance
NYY: Holmes recorded the save on Saturday and if he pitches today, Caleb Ferguson could be used on Monday versus the Marlins
W2W4
KCR: How will the Royals structure its relievers in a save situation on Sunday? Match-up-based approach or with relievers in a new pecking order?
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day, this cutter by Emmanuel Clase during his fourth save, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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