Wednesday’s split slate provided some high-leverage events of interest, including a frustrating one by the Twins bullpen, but without Jhoan Durán, it’s apparent Griffin Jax will be the HLR (highest-leveraged reliever), not the primary save share, plan accordingly.
Minnesota Twins – Recording his first major league save, Steven Okert navigated around a one-out pinch-hit single by Will Smith during a scoreless ninth while striking out one. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (25 SwStr%). He entered with two left-handed hitters in the scheduled 7-8-9 lineup pocket, but the Dodgers countered with two right-handed hitters. Griffin Jax fired a clean eighth, matching up with the 4-5-6 batters, striking out the side on 16 pitches (10 strikes – 62.5 Strike%) and producing three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%) during his third hold. Brock Stewart tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and a walk for his first hold.
Updated hierarchy: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | *Steven Okert
* =closer-by- committee
Baltimore Orioles – Locking down his second save, Craig Kimbrel fired a clean bottom of the ninth, recording two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He owns a 0.25 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus zero walks through his first four innings. Keegan Akin notched his second hold, tossing two scoreless frames, walking one, and striking out four. Mike Baumann collected his first win, turning in a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Miami Marlins – Battling his command issues again, Tanner Scott weathered another traffic-infused outing and recorded his first save this year. He took over in the eighth with a runner at second and issued a walk before retiring the next two hitters. In the ninth, he allowed a one-out single, then issued consecutive two-out walks before inducing a game-ending fly-out by Aaron Judge. Scott threw 34 pitches (14 strikes – 41.2 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He’s posted a 1.94 WHIP with six strikeouts against nine walks over 5.2 innings. Anthony Bender gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the eighth for his third hold. Andrew Nardi fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his second hold.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | Andrew Nardi | Anthony Bender
American League (Game Recaps from April 10)
Boston Red Sox – Taking over a shutout in the sixth, Isaiah Campbell turned in a sideways outing, giving up four hits and three earned runs. Chris Martin suffered his first loss and second blown save, giving up two hits, four runs (three earned), and a walk while striking out two. He threw 27 pitches (15 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (18.5 SwStr%). Brennan Bernardino logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Isaiah Campbell
Cleveland Guardians – Although he let the “place” runner score in the top of the tenth, Eli Morgan collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the frame. He allowed a hit, an unearned run, and recorded two strikeouts. Emmanuel Clase somehow navigated around a lead-off double and a sacrifice bunt with the hitter reaching on his error, with a scoreless ninth, preserving the tie. He induced a double-play grounder and an inning-ending groundout. Tyler Beede worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out two. Cade Smith turned in a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Scott Barlow | Tyler Beede
Chicago White Sox – Suffering his first loss and first blown save, Bryan Shaw gave up three hits, two runs (one earned), and an intentional walk in the bottom of the tenth against his former team, Cleveland. Steven Wilson fired a clean ninth on an efficient seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and has been scoreless through four outings this month.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | Steven Wilson | Jordan Leasure
Seattle Mariners – After a five-run top of the 10th, there was no save chance, but Ryne Stanek worked a scoreless bottom of the frame, walking one and striking out two, preserving the win. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) with two whiffs. Andrés Muñoz worked 1.1 scoreless innings, stranding two runners in the eighth, then wriggling out of a bases-loaded situation in the ninth for his first win. He allowed a hit, a hit batter, and a walk during his outing, throwing 24 pitches (50 Strike%) while inducing three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Gabe Speier
Tampa Bay Rays – Securing his second save, Pete Fairbanks tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, allowing a two-out single (Luis Rengifo) and recording three strikeouts. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). This represents his best outing of the season. Jason Adam worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Toronto Blue Jays – Taking over in the tenth, Tim Mayza suffered his first loss, allowing a hit, four runs (three earned), and two walks while recording one out. Mitch White gave up two hits, and an earned run while recording two strikeouts over his two-thirds of the tenth. Yimi Garcia fired two clean frames, striking out four, but did not factor in the decision. He threw 21 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). Reminder, Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson, weather permitting, will make rehab outings with Buffalo later today.
Current hierarchy: Chad Green | Yimi García | Génesis Cabrera
National League (Game Recaps from April 10)
Arizona Diamondbacks – Handed a two-run lead in the ninth, Kevin Ginkel held on for his second save, navigating around a hit and two walks, while striking out two for a scoreless outing, inducing a game-ending fly-out by Nolan Jones with the bases loaded. Ginkel threw 29 pitches (16 strikes – 55.2 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (17.2 SwStr%). He owns a 1.26 WHIP with nine strikeouts over his first 6.1 innings. Joe Mantiply collected his first win, retiring his only batter faced in the eighth, and stranding a runner.
Hierarchy remains: Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson | Kyle Nelson
Colorado Rockies – Taking over a tied game in the top of the ninth against the top of Arizona’s lineup, Justin Lawrence suffered his first loss. His outing started with a lead-off walk, a high-leverage mortal sin. After recording two outs, he walked Christian Walker then allowed a go-ahead two-RBI bloop double by Eugenio Suárez before an inning-ending fly-out. Lawrence threw 25 pitches (48 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. Nick Mears escaped with a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and a walk. Jake Bird was tagged with his first blown save, yielding two hits and an earned run in the seventh.
Updated hierarchy: *Justin Lawrence (HLR) | Nick Mears | Jake Bird
*= closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies -Securing his first save, Jeff Hoffman worked around a lead-off single with a flyout and a game-ending double-play grounder. He threw seven pitches (6 strikes – 85.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 1.26 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus three walks over 6.1 innings. Seranthony Domínguez notched his third hold despite letting one of two inherited runners score on a Nolan Arenado RBI single during his one-third of the eighth. Gregory Soto recorded two outs while giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk over two-thirds of the eighth for his third hold. Matt Strahm fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | *Gregory Soto
* = closer-by-committee
Quick Hits from April 10
Los Angeles Angels – Getting in work during a loss, Carlos Estévez fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and inducing one whiff. Matt Moore logged two clean frames, recording three strikeouts.
Adjusted hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | Adam Cimber
Texas Rangers – Pressed into action during the top of the eighth, David Robertson stranded two runners while retiring his only batter faced (Seth Brown) via strikeout on six pitches.
Hierarchy remains (for now): José Leclerc | Kirby Yates | David Robertson
Vulture Save Option, Thursday April 11
KCR: If the team provides James McArthur with extra rest, it would be Will Smith or John Schreiber for the save chance in their match-up with Houston.
MIN: It’s limited today because of the small slate, but Stewart has pitched on consecutive days, and if Jax works in the seventh or eighth versus the toughest Tigers’ lineup pocket, it could be Okert again or Jay Jackson for the save chance. (This game has already been PPD, will be a doubleheader on Saturday)
Vulture Save Option, Friday April 12
MIN: If Jax and Okert do pitch today (Thursday), it would be Brock Stewart in line for the save opportunity on Friday, but weather may be a factor.
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Pete Fairbanks, who recorded all three outs during his second save via strikeout, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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