Tuesday’s full slate of contests yielded 10 saves, and every team except Miami has recorded at least one for the season. Controversy may be at the forefront of fantasy player’s thoughts, but it appears Bruce Bochy will not be making any changes in his leverage ladder, yet. Same goes for the Pirates, even though David Bednar suffered his third blown save of the season. This, and the bevy of saves from last night’s games will be covered in today’s Monkey Bytes.
Texas Rangers – Struggling once again, José Leclerc suffered his second loss and first blown save. He issued a one-out walk then served up a go-ahead two-run home run by Shea Langeliers, and recorded two strikeouts in the top of the ninth against Oakland. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). After five outings, he owns a 2.40 WHIP with four strikeouts against six walks (-7.2 K-BB%) through five innings. His grip on the ninth may be waning. Kirby Yates fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his second hold. David Robertson was tagged with his first blown save, allowing a solo home run (Langeliers), and recording two strikeouts over 1.1 frames. Underlying metrics and performance this year favor Yates, if stashing for future save chances.
Although Leclerc’s allowed a run in four of his five outings, this column by Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News quotes Bruce Bochy, suggesting “it’s too early to panic”.
Hierarchy remains (for now): José Leclerc | Kirby Yates | David Robertson
Pittsburgh Pirates – Handed his fourth save chance of the season, David Bednar struggled with his command, resulting in his third blown save and first loss. His outing began with a lead-off walk and a hit batter, followed by an RBI single by Gio Urshela, with an errant throw scoring a second run. After recording an out, a bloop RBI single scored the go-ahead run, he hit another batter and gave up an RBI single by Jake Rogers before being lifted. Barring a scoring change, he’s on the hook for four earned runs while giving up three hits, a walk, and two batters hit by pitch. He threw 23 pitches (9 strikes – 39.1 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13 SwStr%). Whether it’s mechanical or a dead arm phase, he’s struggling in high-leverage events and with his command. Roansy Contreras stranded both inherited runners, retiring both batters faced, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy remains (for now): David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Hunter Stratton
Now for the game capsules by their respective league.
American League (Game Recaps from April 9)
Chicago White Sox – Nailing down his second save, Michael Kopech fired two clean frames, recording four strikeouts, preserving a two-run win over Cleveland. He threw 24 pitches (75 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (29.2 SwStr%). He owns a 1.23 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus five walks through 7.1 innings. Steven Wilson collected his first win, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three in a scoreless seventh. Jordan Leasure logged two scoreless innings, issuing a walk and striking out one.
Updated hierarchy: Michael Kopech | Steven Wilson | Jordan Leasure
Detroit Tigers – Finishing off a comeback rally, Jason Foley secured his third save, navigating around two hits for a scoreless ninth, preserving a two-run win in Pittsburgh. He threw 11 pitches (10 strikes – 90.9 Strike%) with zero whiffs. He owns a 0.94 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus two walks over 5.1 innings. Shelby Miller collected his third win, firing a clean bottom of the eighth on an efficient seven pitches. He’s the first pitcher this season with three wins. Alex Lange tossed a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out one, throwing 22 pitches (12 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) while producing five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
Kansas City Royals – Logging two scoreless frames, James McArthur collected his first win, allowing a hit and stranding the “place” runner in the tenth. He threw 25 pitches (76 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (12 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts in this outing. “The General” owns a 1.50 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk through his first 6.2 innings. John Schreiber retired the side in order in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: *James McArthur | *Will Smith | John Schreiber
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – Locking down his major league-leading fifth save, Clay Holmes fired a clean ninth, striking out one on an efficient seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) while producing two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). This outing lowered his WHIP to 1.17, and he’s recorded three strikeouts versus zero walks through his first six innings. Ian Hamilton logged two scoreless frames, issuing a walk. He let two of three inherited runners score in the seventh but prevented further damage while securing his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Caleb Ferguson
Oakland A’s – Recording his career first major league save, Mason Miller fired a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out two, capping a one-run victory over Texas. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). He owns a 10:3 K:BB through his first six innings. Michael Kelly collected his first win, retiring the side in order in the eighth. Mitch Spence logged three innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Mason Miller | Dany Jiménez | Austin Adams
Tampa Bay Rays – Following up his rough outing in Colorado, Pete Fairbanks recorded his first save of the season, but it was not a clean one. He allowed a lead-off single by Aaron Hicks, and after retiring the next two batters, Hicks moved to second on defensive indifference and scored on an RBi single by Luis Rengifo. After issuing a walk, Fairbanks ended the game on a strikeout but finished with two hits, an earned run, and a walk with two strikeouts on his ledger. He threw 27 pitches (16 strikes – 59.3 Strike%) without a whiff. Jason Adam notched his third hold, tossing a scoreless eighth and allowing a hit. Colin Poche secured his third hold, walking one in a scoreless seventh. Phil Maton turned in a scoreless sixth, walking one and striking out one for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Toronto Blue Jays – Hanging on for his second save, Chad Green worked around a one-out walk with a game-ending double play, capping a two-run win over Seattle. He logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out one on 25 pitches (64 Strike%) while inducing two whiffs. His window as the preferred save share may lapse soon, but he will be a valued leverage option moving forward. Trevor Richards allowed a two-run home run (Mitch Haniger), and a walk, with one strikeout during a combined inning of relief.
Current hierarchy: Chad Green | Yimi García | Génesis Cabrera
National League (Game Recaps from April 9)
Arizona Diamondbacks – Securing his first save, Kevin Ginkel fired a clean ninth, protecting a one-run win in Coors. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. He owns a 0.94 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus zero walks over 5.1 innings. Kyle Nelson notched his first hold, allowing a hit and tossing two-thirds scoreless in the eighth. Ryan Thompson worked 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit while posting his second hold.
Hierarchy remains: Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson | Kyle Nelson
Atlanta Braves – Surviving a scare in the ninth, Raisel Iglesias closed out a one-run win over the Mets for his second save. However, he allowed three hits and two earned runs while striking out one. An Omar Narváez double and an RBI groundout scored the two runs. Iglesias threw 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13 SwStr%). He owns a 1.25 WHIP with two strikeouts through his first 3.2 innings. Joe Jiménez stranded a runner for his third hold, giving up a hit during one-third of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Pierce Johnson
Chicago Cubs – In ascending order of appearances, Drew Smyly recorded his second win, allowing a solo home run, and striking out two over 1.1 innings after taking over in the bottom of the fifth. Yency Almonte fired a clean seventh, striking out two. Mark Leiter Jr. tossed a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. Adbert Alzolay retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, recording one strikeout. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He owns a 1.06 WHIP with six strikeouts versus one walk through his first 5.2 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Adbert Alzolay | Hector Neris | Mark Leiter Jr.
Milwaukee Brewers – Closing out a four-run win, Abner Uribe worked around a lead-off single and a walk by striking out the next three hitters. He threw 24 pitches (15 strikes – 62.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s posted a 1.60 WHIP with five strikeouts versus three walks over his first five innings.
Hierarchy remains: Abner Uribe | Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
St. Louis Cardinals – Preserving a combined shutout, Ryan Helsley recorded his fourth save, firing a clean ninth and striking out two. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (35.7 SwStr%). Through his first seven outings, he owns a 1.29 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk. JoJo Romero secured his fourth hold, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out four.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Giovanny Gallegos | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Mitigating traffic, Kyle Finnegan held on for his fourth save, allowing two hits and two walks over 1.1 scoreless innings. He took over in the eighth, walking one and retiring a batter, stranding a runner. During the ninth, he gave up consecutive hits leading off the inning, and walked the bases loaded but induced a ground ball for a force out at home then a game-ending double play grounder against Matt Chapman. Finnegan threw 28 pitches (19 strikes – 67.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). Hunter Harvey recorded his fourth hold, allowing a hit and striking out one over two-thirds scoreless. He left his outing early after a comeback hit struck his left forearm, but initial X-rays were negative. Dylan Floro tossed a scoreless seventh for his second hold. Jordan Weems suffered his first blown save, and collected his first win, giving up three hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out one in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Jordan Weems
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, April 10
CHC: With Alzolay appearing on consecutive days, Hector Neris would be in line for the save today.
KCR: McArthur logged two innings last night, which could result in a save chance for Will Smith or John Schreiber, depending on how the lineup pockets progress. Smith versus the Alvarez pocket, Schreiber versus a right-handed leaning portion of the lineup.
STL: Helsley’s worked in two straight, putting Giovanny Gallegos into the vulture save spot if provided today.
TBR: Although Fairbanks has not pitched often lately, he threw 27 pitches last night, which may hand Adam or Poche the save opportunity today.
TOR: Green’s pitched in two straight, which could yield a Yimi García save chance today.
Vulture Save Options for Thursday, April 11
ATL: If Iglesias pitches today, it could provide A.J. Minter or Pierce Johnson with the save chance on Thursday.
MIL: If Uribe pitches in today’s contest, it would mean Joel Payamps for Thursday.
PIT: Following an off-day, Aroldis Chapman may get the save chance on Thursday given Bednar’s struggles.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitches of the day, Michael Kopech‘s four-seam fastball while striking out the side in the bottom of the eighth, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community, 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 analysis.
