Saturday’s 17-game slate only yielded seven saves, with two being a reliever’s first of the season. However, the high-leverage events of interest get covered in today’s Monkey Bytes, along with quick hit observations, and potential vulture options for the saves chasers in our community.
American League (Game Recaps from April 13)
Detroit Tigers – (Game 1): Suffering his first loss, Alex Lange had an eventful outing, walking the lead-off hitter, a sacrifice bunt loaded the bases, and he walked in the go-ahead run, scoring the “place” runner. He then recorded consecutive strikeouts before an error broke the game open, scoring three unearned runs. Jason Foley logged two innings, allowing a hit and an unearned run while striking out two. He threw 21 pitches (17 strikes – 81 Strike%) and inducing five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%). Shelby Miller was tagged with his first blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run (Ryan Jeffers), and striking out two over 1.1 innings. Tyler Holton notched his second hold, retiring all five batters faced, one via strikeout. (Game 2): During an eventual loss, Joey Wentz logged 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out four.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
New York Yankees – (Game 1): Securing his MLB-leading sixth save, Clay Holmes worked around a lead-off double with consecutive strikeouts and a game-ending ground-out, closing out a one-run win in Cleveland. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and inducing two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.14 WHIP with five strikeouts versus zero walks through seven innings. Ian Hamilton notched his fourth hold, logging two scoreless frames and giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one. Caleb Ferguson took over in the sixth, letting both inherited runners score while walking one and striking out one during his outing.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Caleb Ferguson
Toronto Blue Jays – Nailing down his first save of the season, Yimi García fired a clean ninth, striking out the side while preserving a two-run win over Colorado. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (50 SwStr%). He owns a 0.47 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus one walk over 6.1 innings. Chad Green secured his first hold, retiring the side in order during the eighth, striking out two. Tim Mayza worked a clean seventh, striking out one for his first hold. Bowden Francis collected his first win, allowing three hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out three over 2.1 innings as the “follower”.
Adjusted hierarchy: *Chad Green | *Yimi García | Génesis Cabrera
*= closer-by-committee
National League (Game Recaps from April 13)
Arizona Diamondbacks – Facing the 9-1-2 hitters, Kevin Ginkel recorded his third save, retiring the side in order. He threw nine pitches (5 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) and did not record a whiff. He owns a 1.09 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus two walks over 7.1 innings. Ryan Thompson gave up three hits and an earned run while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth. Kyle Nelson worked 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit, and securing his second hold.
Hierarchy remains: Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson | Kyle Nelson
Chicago Cubs – Wrapping up his team’s 4-1 win, Adbert Alzolay notched his second save, allowing a two-out single and recording a strikeout during a scoreless ninth in Seattle. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s posted a 1.05 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk through his first 6.2 innings. Hector Neris issued a walk and retired a batter in the eighth for his second hold. Yency Almonte tossed a clean, combined inning, striking out two while securing his second hold. Mark Leiter Jr. fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out one for his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: Adbert Alzolay | Hector Neris | Mark Leiter Jr.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Despite dealing with some traffic in the ninth, Evan Phillips finished his fifth save with a scoreless outing. He allowed consecutive one-out singles by Manny Machado and Jurickson Profar, then induced a fielder’s choice groundout, and a game-ending groundout, preserving the 5-2 win. Phillips threw 23 pitches (17 strikes – 73.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%). He’s recorded a 0.91 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk over his first 7.2 innings. Daniel Hudson fired a clean eighth, striking out the side for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Joe Kelly
Philadelphia Phillies – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Jeff Hoffman collected his second win after firing a clean top of the ninth, keeping the score tied. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 1.09 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus three walks over 7.1 innings. José Alvarado tossed a clean eighth, striking out one on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%). Gregory Soto navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless seventh. Matt Strahm logged two clean frames, recording five strikeouts, throwing 36 pitches (25 strikes – 69.4 Strike%), and inducing five whiffs (13.8 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Gregory Soto
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals – Locking down his fifth save, Kyle Finnegan fired a clean ninth and recorded one strikeout. He threw 18 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.74 WHIP with six strikeouts versus five walks through his first 6.1 inning. Hunter Harvey tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out two for his fifth hold. Jordan Weems stranded his only inherited runner while striking out his only batter-faced, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Jordan Weems
Quick Hits (High-leverage events of interest from April 13)
Boston Red Sox – Entering in the fifth, Greg Weissert collected his first win, logging two scoreless frames, allowing a hit, and striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Chicago White Sox – During a non-save appearance, Michael Kopech faced the 5-6-7 lineup pocket, issuing a one-out walk, but erased him on a pick-off for a caught stealing, then induced a game-ending ground-out. He threw 12 pitches (50 Strike%) while inducing one whiff. He owns a 1.20 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against six walks over 8.1 innings. Jordan Leasure fired a clean eighth, striking out two on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (25 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | Steven Wilson | Jordan Leasure
Cincinnati Reds – Taking over in the sixth, Fernando Cruz stranded an inherited runner and retired all four batters faced, three via strikeout. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (50 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims (HLR) | Fernando Cruz
Houston Astros – After escaping a self-inflicted bases-loaded situation for a scoreless seventh inning, Bryan Abreu collected his first win courtesy of his team scoring seven runs in the bottom of the frame. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one on 22 pitches (50 Strike%) with two whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – In a non-save outing, James McArthur navigated around two singles for a scoreless bottom of the ninth, recording two strikeouts. He threw 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%). He owns a 1.57 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus one walk through 7.2 innings.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Will Smith
Los Angeles Angels – During his rehab outing, Robert Stephenson only faced one batter, issuing a walk, then left the game with the trainer. No bueño.
Miami Marlins – It was not a save appearance, but fantasy players will happily accept a scoreless outing by Tanner Scott. He wrapped up a 5-1 win against Atlanta, throwing 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and inducing two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) facing the 4-5-6 lineup pocket. This lowered his WHIP to 1.65 and he’s recorded six strikeouts versus nine walks through his first 6.2 innings. Anthony Bender fired a clean eighth, striking out two on 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and producing two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) against the top of the batting order.
Updated hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Anthony Bender | Andrew Nardi
Milwaukee Brewers – Elvis Peguero collected his third win, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two. He took over in the fourth inning.
Hierarchy remains: Abner Uribe | Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
Minnesota Twins – (Game 1): Brock Stewart tossed a scoreless ninth, issuing a walk and recording a strikeout. Griffin Jax faced the 3-4-5 lineup pocket and retired them in order on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) without a whiff. Steven Okert fired a clean seventh, striking out two. (Game 2): Finishing off the sweep, Cole Sands fired 2.1 clean innings, recording three strikeouts for his first save of the season, and second of his career. He threw 28 pitches (19 strikes – 67.9 Strike%) and induced three whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | *Steven Okert
* =closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates – Aroldis Chapman struggled with his command, suffering his first blown save, giving up a hit, an unearned run, and two walks over one-third of an inning. He threw 17 pitches (6 strikes – 35.3 Strike%) and produced one whiff in an eventual loss.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Hunter Stratton
Toronto Blue Jays – During Buffalo’s game on Saturday, Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson made their second rehab outings. Swanson gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one over his two-thirds of an inning, throwing 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) with three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Romano issued two walks and recorded a strikeout over his two-thirds of an inning on 18 pitches (7 strikes – 38.9 Strike%) inducing two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, April 14
DET: Representing one of the only relievers not called upon during Saturday’s doubleheader, Andrew Chafin could receive the save chance on Sunday.
LAD: Both Evan Phillips and Daniel Hudson have pitched in consecutive games, which puts Joe Kelly in line for the save chance later today.
WSH: With its high-leverage triumvirate all pitching on consecutive days this weekend, Dylan Floro could benefit from their collective rest day, representing the most likely pivot for a save opportunity, if presented last today.
Vulture Save Options for Monday, April 15
CHC: If Alzolay pitches on Sunday it will be consecutive outings placing Drew Smyly or Keegan Thompson into a multi-inning save chance on Monday.
KCR: McArthur pitched on Saturday, so if he’s used on Sunday, the team preferred Chris Stratton for the last ancillary save chance, he would be the play in this situation on Monday.
MIA: Dependent on Scott being used on Sunday, but if he makes an appearance on consecutive days, Bryan Hoeing could receive the save chance on Monday.
PHI: Once again, it’s all based on usage patterns, Alvarado and Hoffman pitched on Saturday, if they both make appearances on Sunday, this may open the door for an Orion Kerkering save chance on Monday. He will be activated this afternoon.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day, the split-fingered fastball by Fernando Cruz, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja. Through his first 6.2 innings, he owns a robust 26.8 swinging strike percentage with a 1.54 SIERA, and a 0.60 WHIP. He’s also produced a 47.7 percent swinging strike rate with his split-fingered fastball. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.
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