Sunday’s slate provided some chaotic moments, but it’s an expectation on a full slate of contests. For instance, Milwaukee used Abner Uribe in the seventh inning with a one-run lead. Tanner Scott suffered a blown save against Atlanta. Cleveland and the Yankees played a 10-inning contest with blown saves by each team. Because of the high volume of leverage events, the recaps will be split by their respective league.
American League (Game Recaps – April 14)
Baltimore Orioles – Hanging on for his third save, Craig Kimbrel navigated around two hits courtesy of three strikeouts in the top of the ninth, preserving a two-run win over Milwaukee. He threw 21 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.50 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus zero walks through his first six innings. Danny Coulombe recorded his second hold, striking out over two-thirds scoreless in the eighth, stranding a runner. Yennier Cano collected his second win, allowing two hits, an earned run on a solo home run, and striking out one during his 1.1 innings. Jacob Webb worked a scoreless sixth, yielding two hits.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Boston Red Sox – Moving into a tie for fifth all-time in history, Kenley Jansen survived a traffic-infused ninth, recording his fourth save of the season, and 424th of his career. His outing began with a hit-by-pitch (Logan O’Hoppe), a single, and a walk, loading the bases. Following a sacrifice fly, he recorded consecutive strikeouts of Luis Rengifo and Mike Trout, preserving the one-run win. He threw 25 pitches (56 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (16 SwStr%). He owns a 1.59 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus eight walks over his first 5.2 innings. Justin Slaten notched his third hold, stranding two runners in the sixth, and logging 2.2 innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one. Chris Martin was unavailable with a sore left shoulder per Ian Browne of MLB.com.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Cleveland Guardians – Benefiting from a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth, Tyler Beede collected his first win despite giving up two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk in the top of the inning. Emmanuel Clase suffered his first blown save, allowing a one-out single, and an RBI two-out double by Anthony Volpe, scoring the game-tying run. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). Hunter Gaddis logged 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two. Scott Barlow gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout during his two-thirds scoreless combined innings.
Updated hierarchy: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Scott Barlow
Detroit Tigers – Capping a come-from-behind rally in the bottom of the eighth, Jason Foley recorded his fourth save with a scoreless ninth, issuing two, two-out walks before inducing a game-ending groundout by Ryan Jeffers. Foley threw 27 pitches (14 strikes – 51.9 Strike%) and induced only one whiff. After this outing, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus four walks over 7.1 innings. Will Vest collected his first win, firing 1.2 clean frames, and stranding a runner in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
Houston Astros – Pressed into action, Josh Hader retired his only batter-faced via strikeout, but with no runners on, it’s not a save opportunity. Instead, he preserved a three-run win over the Rangers.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – Suffering his first loss, Chris Stratton issued four walks, and gave up two earned runs in the bottom of the eighth. He allowed a run on an infield hit and walked in the go-ahead run. He threw 28 pitches (11 strikes – 39.3 Strike%) without a whiff. John Schreiber escaped with a scoreless seventh, allowing two hits and a walk.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Will Smith
New York Yankees – Handed a two-run lead in the bottom of the tenth, Caleb Ferguson suffered his second loss and first blown save, allowing two hits and three runs (two earned), including a walk-off sacrifice fly by Andrés Giménez. Clay Holmes tossed a scoreless ninth, walking one and striking out one. He threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Caleb Ferguson
Oakland A’s – Another NSFW outing by Mason Miller. He locked down his third save by striking out the side against the Nationals. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He’s converted all three save chances and owns a 1.13 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against three walks over eight innings. Lucas Erceg notched his fourth hold, walking one during a scoreless eighth. Dany Jiménez gave up a hit in a scoreless seventh, securing his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Dany Jiménez
Minnesota Twins – During the seventh inning, Brock Stewart secured his fourth hold, walking one in a scoreless outing. Making his first appearance of the season, Caleb Thielbar gave up three hits, including a solo home run by Javier Báez, and departed with two runners on with one out, getting credit for his first hold. Griffin Jax let both inherited runners score, allowing a two-RBI double by Mark Canha and then a go-ahead single by Spencer Torkelson. Jax suffered his first loss and first blown save, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | *Steven Okert
* =closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays – Appearing as the “bulk follower”, Tyler Alexander worked six innings, giving up six hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out four.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
National League (Game Recaps – April 14)
Atlanta Braves – Slamming the door on his third save, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean ninth, striking out one while preserving a comeback win in Miami. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). A.J. Minter collected his second win, striking out the side in the eighth on 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and generating six whiffs (60 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Pierce Johnson
Chicago Cubs – Recording his third save, Adbert Alzolay worked a scoreless ninth, preserving a one-run win. He allowed a two-out single by Cal Raleigh but ended the game by picking off pinch-runner, Julio Rodríguez at first base. Alzolay threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). He owns a 1.04 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk through 6.2 innings. Hector Neris escaped with a scoreless eighth, inducing an inning-ending double play groundout with the bases loaded for his second hold. Mark Leiter Jr. fired a clean seventh for his second hold.
Hierarchy remains: Adbert Alzolay | Hector Neris | Mark Leiter Jr.
Cincinnati Reds – Appearing in a non-save capacity, Alexis Díaz tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, walking one and striking out two, preserving a seven-run win over the White Sox. He threw 21 pitches (11 strikes – 52.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (9.5 SwStr%). He owns a 1.50 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus five walks over his first six innings. Emilio Pagán worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one. Justin Wilson navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh, but let both inherited runners score. Lucas Sims was credited with his third hold, stranding two runners in the sixth, but struggled in the seventh, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and a walk during his one-third combined innings.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims (HLR) | Fernando Cruz
Miami Marlins – Facing the top of Atlanta’s lineup, Tanner Scott allowed a lead-off single by Ronald Acuña Jr., retired Ozzie Albies via strikeout, and Austin Riley on a line-out to center. However, he issued a two-out walk to Matt Olson and gave up a two-strike, go-ahead three-run home run by Marcell Ozuna. His final line, two hits allowed, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one, resulting in his third loss and first blown save. Andrew Nardi notched his third hold, firing a clean eighth, and striking out the side on 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) with four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). Anthony Bender was credited with his fourth hold despite giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out one in the seventh. Scott was one out from the save, but could not finish it. Nardi has been frustrating, but his underlying data suggests some bad luck, making him a potential sneaky add. Stay tuned.
Updated hierarchy (projected): *Tanner Scott | *Andrew Nardi | *Anthony Bender
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Taking over in the bottom of the seventh versus the 8-9-1 lineup pocket of Baltimore, protecting a one-run lead, Abner Uribe suffered his first loss and second blown save of the season. He allowed a lead-off single by Jordan Westburg, a single by Jackson Holliday, and a game-tying RBI single by Gunnar Henderson without recording an out. Uribe induced a double-play grounder by Adley Rutschman, but a second earned run scored in the process. He finished with three hits and two earned runs allowed while throwing 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) without a whiff. Hoby Milner gave up three hits, including a solo home run by Colton Cowser, and a walk in the eighth. Also, Trevor Megill could be activated later this week, which may send this leverage ladder into a committee moving forward.
Updated hierarchy: *Abner Uribe | *Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Although he served up a solo home run (Vinnie Pasquantino), Edwin Díaz recorded his third save, closing out a one-run win over the Royals. He recorded one strikeout while throwing 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). Brooks Raley garnered his first win, firing a clean eighth and striking out two. Adam Ottavino worked a clean seventh, striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Adam Ottavino | Brooks Raley
San Diego Padres – Closing out his fifth save, Robert Suarez tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, working around a one-out walk with a game-ending double play groundout. He threw 12 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s posted a 0.84 WHIP with eight strikeouts against four walks through his first 8.1 innings. Wandy Peralta notched his third hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless eighth. Yuki Matsui collected his second win, firing 1.1 clean frames and striking out one, throwing 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) with four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Wandy Peralta
Washington Nationals – With the leverage ladder running on fumes, the “B-side” relievers could not hold a lead in Oakland. Derek Law allowed two hits, four earned runs, and two walks while striking out one over one-third of the sixth, resulting in his first loss. Jordan Weems suffered his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score, giving up a hit and a walk over his one-third of the sixth, appearing for a third straight contest.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Jordan Weems
Vulture Save Options for April 15
BOS: A morning game today may mean no Jansen, and Martin did not pitch on Sunday with a sore non-throwing shoulder, putting Greg Weissert on the vulture save radar.
CHC: Alzolay has pitched in two straight, so a multi-inning save could be attempted by Keegan Thompson or Drew Smyly.
DET: Depending on how the lineup pockets proceed, Shelby Miller or Andrew Chafin could receive the save chance later today.
MIN: A taxed leverage ladder may feature Steven Okert for the save versus Baltimore.
NYY: Ian Hamilton pitched two innings on Saturday, but was one of the only relievers off yesterday, putting him in line for a vulture save.
OAK: It appears the A’s will not use Miller on consecutive days, and Erceg has pitched in three of the last four, leaving Dany Jiménez as the likely recipient of a save chance today.
Vulture Save Options for April 16
ATL: If Iglesias pitches today, Pierce Johnson likely gets the save opportunity on Tuesday.
BAL: Look for Keegan Akin on Tuesday if the team uses Kimbrel on Monday, that would be two in a row for the veteran.
SDP: If the Padres use Suarez today, it could be Jhony Brito on Tuesday for a four or five out save chance.
Closer Monkey’s filthy sequence of the day, a repeat winner, Mason Miller striking out the side during his third save while facing the Nationals on Sunday, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja. He’s recorded a 36.4 K-BB percentage with a 20.1 swinging strike percentage, and allowing a 57.6 percent contact rate allowed. He also owns a 19 swinging strike percentage with his four-seam fastball and a 25.9 percent swinging strike rate with the slider. Health and durability remain a hurdle, but he’s a force in high-leverage.
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