Sunday slates can be frustrating, especially when teams provide their high-leverage relievers with rest. There were 11 saves across the 15 contests, but six were not recorded by their closer, and three were of the three-inning variety. Here are the high-leverage events of interest.
Kansas City Royals – Securing his second save, James McArthur tossed a scoreless ninth, working around a walk and a two-out single with a game-ending strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. Will Smith tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one for his second hold. John Schreiber collected his first win, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh. McArthur’s recorded the last two saves, this one in a traditional appearance. While this may signal a shift in the hierarchy, taking a wait-and-see approach on labeling the Royals leverage ladder. One more progression like Sunday, and the committee label will be removed, but it’s tough trusting Mike Quatraro’s machinations.
Hierarchy remains: *James McArthur | *Will Smith | John Schreiber
* = closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Holding on for his first save with his new team, Josh Hader induced a game-ending double play groundout, closing out a 3-1 win in Texas. He did issue a one-out walk to Adolis García and advanced him to second on a wild pitch before an RBI single by Justin Foscue. In this outing, he gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while throwing 20 pitches (55 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s given up at least a run in three straight games and owns a 1.60 WHIP through his first five innings. Ryan Pressly notched his second hold, firing a clean eighth, and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
New York Mets – Nailing down his second save, Edwin Díaz fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He owns a 0.40 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus one walk over his first five innings. Adam Ottavino notched his second hold, retiring the side in order while striking out two in the eighth. Brooks Raley worked around two walks for a scoreless seventh for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Adam Ottavino | Brooks Raley
San Francisco Giants – Handed a one-run lead courtesy of a two-run rally in the bottom of the eighth, Camilo Doval notched his first save of the season, tossing a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit, and striking out three. He threw 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s recorded five strikeouts over his last two outings. Ryan Walker collected his first win, firing a clean top of the eighth, striking out two. He owns a 0.88 WHIP with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Taylor Rogers
Washington Nationals – Preserving a one-run win, Kyle Finnegan faced the Phillies’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket and worked around a walk with a game-ending strikeout for his third save. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) without a whiff. Following four outings this season, he owns a 1.36 WHIP with four strikeouts versus two walks. Hunter Harvey notched his third hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out two on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with two whiffs (20 SwStr%). Jordan Weems secured his second hold, retiring all four batters faced and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Jordan Weems
Ancillary Saves (April 7)
Atlanta Braves – Working around a one-out single, Pierce Johnson recorded his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth, closing out a three-run win, and sweep of Arizona. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) after entering against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Pierce Johnson
Boston Red Sox – Recording his second three-inning save, Chase Anderson gave up four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one, closing out a 12-1 win over the Angels on getaway day. He also provided his teammates in the bullpen with a much-needed day off ahead of a flight home, throwing 68 pitches (43 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) while getting seven whiffs (10.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Isaiah Campbell
Chicago Cubs – In ascending order of appearances, Yency Almonte took over after the rain delay, firing a clean fifth and striking out two while collecting his first win. Mark Leiter Jr. tossed a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out one. Daniel Palencia secured his first save, logging three innings, giving up a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two.
Updated hierarchy: Adbert Alzolay | Hector Neris | Mark Leiter Jr.
Milwaukee Brewers – Wrapping up a lopsided victory, Thyago Vieira recorded his first save of the season and second of his career, tossing three innings, giving up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out five. He threw 50 pitches (66 Strike%) and produced six whiffs (12 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Abner Uribe | Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
New York Yankees – Entering with one out in the eighth, Dennis Santana recorded 1.2 clean frames and his first save. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Caleb Ferguson
Tampa Bay Rays – Avoiding its closer after his comments about Coors, the Rays called upon Shawn Armstrong in the eighth. He worked two innings, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one for his first save. He issued a walk leading off the ninth which resulted in the run but limited any further damage. He threw 32 pitches (21 strikes – 65.6 Strike%) without a whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Quick Hits from April 7
Baltimore Orioles – Traffic in high-leverage events creates havoc. Yennier Cano suffered his first loss and first blown save, allowing consecutive hits leading off the ninth while protecting a one-run lead. He issued Connor Joe a walk, loading the bases before inducing a fielder’s choice ground-out. With one out, another ground ball fielded by Gunnar Henderson, who forced out the runner at second, then threw wide of first, scoring two runs, resulting in a walk-off. Cano gave up two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk over two-thirds of the ninth, throwing 20 pitches (50 Strike%).
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Detroit Tigers – Getting in work during a loss, Alex Lange gave up three hits and an earned run in the top of the ninth. He threw 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Shelby Miller | *Andrew Chafin
*=closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Hidden within a lopsided victory, Andrew Nardi fired a clean seventh, striking out two on 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generating four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | Andrew Nardi | Anthony Bender
Pittsburgh Pirates – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Jose Hernandez collected his first win. He worked 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two, following his promotion earlier in the day. He threw 17 pitches (14 strikes – 82.4 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (35.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Hunter Stratton
San Diego Padres – Spanning the leverage bridge innings represents a problem for the Padres. Jhony Brito suffered his second loss and third blown save, allowing three hits along with two unearned runs in two-thirds of the bottom of the eighth. An untimely error also contributed to this outcome. Yuki Matsui secured his second hold, firing 1.1 clean frames.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Wandy Peralta
Vulture Option (Monday, April 8)
NYM: It’s a reach, but Edwin Díaz, Adam Ottavino, and Brooks Raley have appeared in three of the last four days, so if there’s a save chance, it will be Drew Smith or Jorge López, but it’s a reach.
Vulture Possibilities (Tuesday, April 9)
ATL: If Raisel Iglesias pitches on Monday, it will be three outings in four days, placing A.J. Minter or Pierce Johnson in line for an ancillary save on Tuesday (lineup pockets or usage on Monday will decide which).
COL: If Justin Lawrence gets a save chance on Monday, it should be Nick Mears as the save option on Tuesday
CWS: Desperate times call for desperate measures, but Michael Kopech may log a multi-inning save, and if he does, it would put Steven Wilson in line for a save opportunity on Tuesday.
HOU: If Josh Hader pitches on Monday it will mark two days in a row, which lines up Ryan Pressly for the save on Tuesday.
KCR: If the high-leverage ladder appears on Monday, it likely puts Chris Stratton in line for the ancillary save on Tuesday.
SEA: An Andrés Muñoz save opportunity on Monday would signal three games in four days, putting Ryne Stanek into focus for the save chance on Tuesday.
SFG: If Camilo Doval pitches tonight, he will have appeared in three of the last four, making Tyler Rogers a save option on Tuesday.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitches of the day, Hunter Harvey recording two strikeouts in his outing against the Phillies, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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