Despite one postponed contest on Tuesday, the slate provided pockets of production, but also featured blown saves by three closers, wreaking further havoc in an already chaotic season. Adding insult to injury, Milwaukee deployed its saves leader, Abner Uribe in the fourth inning, and Seattle called upon Andrés Muñoz with the game on the line in the seventh. These highlights and more will be covered in today’s Monkey Bytes.
Milwaukee Brewers – It’s one thing possibly being demoted from the ninth inning, however, taking over in the fourth raises eyebrows in the fantasy community. Abner Uribe escaped with 1.2 scoreless innings, scattering three hits and walking one while striking out two. He threw 31 pitches (18 strikes – 58.1 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (12.9 SwStr%). Hoby Milner fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out three, and stranded the bases loaded in the fifth for Uribe. Elvis Peguero gave up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the seventh. Jared Koenig logged 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out one. Joel Payamps worked a clean top of the ninth, striking out two on 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) without a whiff.
In Nashville on a rehab assignment, Trevor Megill fired a clean seventh, recording two strikeouts, and could be activated today or ahead of this weekend’s series against St. Louis. He could be a factor in save situations immediately for those seeking a stash option.
Updated hierarchy: *Joel Payamps | *Hoby Milner | Abner Uribe
*= closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – Forced into action with two runners on and two outs, Tayler Saucedo entered to face Nick Martini, but the Reds countered with pinch-hitter, Tyler Stephenson, who flew out to center, ending the game. Saucedo recorded his first save, stranding both runners. Ryne Stanek received the save chance but was credited with his second hold instead after issuing two walks and retiring two batters with a two-run lead. He threw 28 pitches (16 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Andrés Muñoz turned in 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three, throwing 24 pitches (50 Strike%) with four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He owns a 1.23 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against six walks through 7.1 innings. It’s frustrating, but fantasy players should remain patient, when Matt Brash and eventually Gregory Santos return, Muñoz should become the closer in a more traditional sense.
Updated hierarchy: *Andrés Muñoz | *Ryne Stanek | Tayler Saucedo
*= closer-by-committee
American League (Game Recaps from April 16)
Boston Red Sox – Running on fumes, Josh Winckowski suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, three runs (two earned), and two walks while striking out one in the top of the 11th. Greg Weissert gave up two hits, an unearned run, and a walk in the tenth. Kenley Jansen was tagged with his first blown save, giving up three hits, including a game-tying RBI single by Andrés Giménez, resulting in an earned run. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) without a whiff. Chris Martin notched his third hold, retiring all three batters faced in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Cleveland Guardians – Wrapping up an extra-inning contest, Scott Barlow secured his first save of the season, firing a clean bottom of the 11th, and recording two strikeouts. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). Emmanuel Clase suffered his second blown save but collected his first win, giving up a hit and an unearned run in the tenth. He owns a 1.13 WHIP while converting four of six save chances. Hunter Gaddis turned in a clean ninth, striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Scott Barlow
Detroit Tigers – Hanging on for his fifth save, Jason Foley navigated around a single by Wyatt Langford and a walk, before retiring the next two hitters, preserving a two-run win over Texas. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 1.11 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus five walks through his first nine innings. However, his velocity has trended down his last two outings, which should be monitored moving forward. Andrew Chafin retired all four batters he faced, three via strikeout, while collecting his first win, throwing 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) with two whiffs. Alex Lange fired a clean seventh, striking out one on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and inducing one whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
Los Angeles Angels – Suffering his first loss, Carson Fulmer allowed a walk-off infield single in the bottom of the 13th. He finished with two hits against, two runs (one earned), and two walks while striking out three over 1.2 innings. José Cisnero was tagged with his first blown save, logging two innings and yielding a hit along with two unearned runs in them. Carlos Estévez also incurred his first blown save, giving up two, two-out singles before a game-tying two-RBI triple in the bottom of the ninth. He’s converted three of four save chances this year with a 0.67 WHIP over six innings. Matt Moore notched his fourth hold with a clean eighth. Hunter Strickland secured his first hold, striking out two in a clean seventh. Luis García turned in a clean sixth, recording his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | Luis García
Tampa Bay Rays – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Garrett Cleavinger collected his third win despite giving up a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out two in the top of the 13th. Phil Maton bounced back from a rough outing with a clean 12th. Jason Adam allowed an unearned run on a sacrifice fly after a hit batter and a walk loaded the bases in the 11th. Pete Fairbanks let the go-ahead run score on a wild pitch in the top of the 10th and recorded two strikeouts throwing 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). Colin Poche turned in a clean ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Toronto Blue Jays – Remaining true to his word, John Schneider placed Jordan Romano into a save situation in his first game back from the injured list. Romano did allow a run, hitting Gleyber Torres with a pitch after recording an out and giving up an RBI double by Alex Verdugo. After a mound visit, he retired the next two batters on groundouts, preserving a one-run win. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Yimi García worked a clean eighth for his first hold.
Updated hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Erik Swanson | Yimi García
National League (Game Recaps from April 16)
Arizona Diamondbacks – Culminating a crazy contest, Kevin Ginkel collected his first win by firing a clean top of the tenth courtesy of a walk-off double in the bottom of the frame. He only needed six pitches (66.7 Strike%) while making his third appearance in four days. He owns a 1.07 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against two walks through his first 9.1 innings. Miguel Castro logged 2.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three. Kyle Nelson suffered his first blown save, allowing two hits, including a grand slam by Ian Happ, three earned runs, and a walk, plus letting all three inherited runners score during his two-thirds of the seventh inning.
Hierarchy remains: Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson | Kyle Nelson
Atlanta Braves – Pressed into action, Raisel Iglesias took over with two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but stranded both for his fourth save by inducing a game-ending fielder’s choice groundout. He’s converted all four save chances while posting a 0.94 WHIP with three strikeouts versus one walk through his first 5.1 innings. Aaron Bummer created the mess, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk over his two-thirds of the ninth. Joe Jiménez fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Pierce Johnson
Chicago Cubs – Taking over the top of the tenth, Drew Smyly suffered his second loss, serving up a walk-off double by Randal Grichuk, his only batter faced. Adbert Alzolay was tagged with his third blown save, allowing a game-tying solo home run by Ketel Marte, and navigated around two walks preventing further damage. He threw 25 pitches (64 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. After nine games, he owns a 1.27 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus three walks over 8.2 innings. Yency Almonte held on for his fourth hold, walking two and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Mark Leiter Jr. gave up an unearned run and recorded a strikeout during the seventh for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Adbert Alzolay | Hector Neris | Mark Leiter Jr.
Miami Marlins – It was a struggle, but Tanner Scott registered his second save, navigating around two walks and striking out one during a scoreless ninth, finishing off a three-run over the Giants. He threw 15 pitches (7 strikes – 46.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He still owns a negative K-BB percentage (8:12 K:BB) through his first 8.2 innings. Calvin Faucher recorded his first hold, working 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit, and striking out two.
Updated hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Andrew Nardi | Anthony Bender
New York Mets – Another strong outing by Reed Garrett resulted in his second win. He fired two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out six. He threw 31 pitches (67.7 Strike%) and generated eight whiffs (25.8 SwStr%). He owns a robust 17 strikeouts against three walks over his first 8.2 innings. Jorge López notched his second hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one. Drew Smith turned in a clean ninth, striking out two for his first save, throwing 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) with six whiffs (50 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Adam Ottavino | Brooks Raley
St. Louis Cardinals – Racking up his MLB-leading seventh save, Ryan Helsley fired a clean ninth while striking out one, preserving a one-run win in Oakland. He threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%). This marks appearances on consecutive days. Over his first 10 games, he owns a 0.90 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against one walk through 10 innings. JoJo Romero notched his seventh save, tying teammate Andrew Kittredge for the MLB lead in the category, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Quick Hits
Cincinnati Reds – In an eventual loss, Brent Suter logged two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out three. Fernando Cruz let his only inherited runner score, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of the sixth. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims (HLR) | Fernando Cruz
Los Angeles Dodgers – Operating as the “bulk follower”, Ryan Yarbrough secured his second win, tossing five innings while giving up two hits and two earned with three strikeouts. Joe Kelly notched his fourth hold, walking one and striking out one during a scoreless eighth. Daniel Hudson worked a scoreless ninth, in a non-save capacity, allowing a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Joe Kelly
Oakland A’s – Entering a tied game, Dany Jiménez suffered his first loss and second blown save, giving up a hit, two earned runs, and two walks over two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Dany Jiménez
San Diego Padres – During a non-save outing, Wandy Peralta wrapped up a three-run win in Milwaukee, letting his only inherited runner score on a Sal Frelick RBI single, then retired his next two batters. Jhony Brito logged 1.1 innings, allowing an earned run and a walk while striking out one. Yuki Matsui secured his third hold, stranding two runners while walking one and striking out one in one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Wandy Peralta
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, April 17
ARI: Ginkel’s appeared in three of the last four days which puts Ryan Thompson in line for the save chance today.
CHC: Alzolay has also worked in three of the last four days, along with many of his teammates. Hector Neris should receive the save chance, if provided, in what could be another high-scoring game in Arizona.
DET: A recurring theme, Foley has pitched in three of the last four days. Depending on how lineup pockets proceed, Shelby Miller or Andrew Chafin will be in line for the save chance this afternoon.
LAA: After appearing on consecutive days, Estévez should be unavailable, which may create an ancillary save chance for Adam Cimber.
MIA: Scott’s appeared in three of the last four days, which hopefully yields his manager’s preference between Andrew Nardi and Anthony Bender in the ninth inning later this season. Stay tuned. Leaning Nardi but it’s a coin flip.
STL: Helsley’s converted saves the previous two days, and should be unavailable. Andrew Kittredge did not pitch yesterday, so he’s the preferred vulture option since he’s been in higher-leveraged situations than Giovanny Gallegos over the last seven days.
Kansas City and the White Sox play a doubleheader, which may benefit the Royals if they sweep, making Chris Stratton a sneaky play, but the options above get preference, but league availability matters.
Vulture Options for Thursday, April 18
There are only five games on this slate, making it slippery for vulture saves.
BOS: If Jansen pitches again today, it puts Justin Slaten or Chris Martin in play for the save chance on Thursday.
CLE: The Guardians used most of its leverage ladder on Tuesday, so whichever reliever does not appear today, could be the beneficiary of a save chance on Thursday. Hunter Gaddis could be a sneaky stream if he’s not used on Wednesday but Barlow and Clase pitch. Monitor this closely.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to Andrés Muñoz‘s sinker, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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