Wednesday provided a heavy slate of day contests and some high-leverage moments of intrigue. Our latest edition of Monkey Bytes covers these outcomes, and some other updates of interest.
Tampa Bay Rays – Provided a one-run lead, Pete Fairbanks could not secure the win, suffering his second loss and first blown save of the season. It started with a one-out single by Nolan Schanuel, replaced by pinch-runner Jo Adell, then a walk, putting two runners on. Adell stole third on a spiked slider, then Neto stole second on the next pitch, placing two runners in scoring position. Fairbanks allowed an RBI single by Anthony Rendon, with a runner thrown out at home, intentionally walked Mike Trout, and then gave up the go-ahead RBI single by Taylor Ward. He threw 28 pitches (60.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He owns a 2.29 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against eight walks through his first seven innings. Fairbanks has allowed at least a run in five of his eight appearances this year. Of more concern, his rising contact rate allowed while producing fewer whiffs. This could be a rough patch, but those stashing for future saves should see if Jason Adam is available, just in case.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Milwaukee Brewers – Preserving a 1–0 win over the Padres, Joel Payamps recorded his second save of the season with a clean top of the ninth. He faced the 3-4-5 lineup pocket, throwing 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) without a whiff. Abner Uribe collected his first win, working a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit, and striking out one on 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) without a whiff. Trevor Megill turned in two scoreless outings on rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville and may reenter the hierarchy as soon as Friday if he’s activated. Based on early usage patterns, this leverage ladder seems far from set in terms of roles or save chances going forward. Stay tuned.
Updated hierarchy: *Joel Payamps | *Abner Uribe | Hoby Milner
*= closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers – Entering a tied game with two runners on in the eighth, Kirby Yates stranded them with an inning-ending strikeout, and collected his second win by tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a walk and striking out four. He threw 24 pitches (15 strikes – 62.5 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (25 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.41 WHIP with nine strikeouts against two walks through his first 7.1 innings. David Robertson suffered his second blown save, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
American League (Game Recaps from April 17)
Baltimore Orioles – Taking over a tied game in the top of the ninth, Craig Kimbrel retired the side and recorded one strikeout. He collected his third win following a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He owns a 0.38 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus zero walks through his first eight innings. Yennier Cano worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out two. Keegan Akin stranded a runner while retiring his only batter faced via strikeout in the seventh. Jacob Webb suffered his first blown save, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out one over one-third of the seventh. Danny Coulombe was credited with his third hold despite giving up an earned run and a walk over two-thirds combined innings.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Chicago White Sox – (Game 1): Appearing in the ninth, Dominic Leone served up a solo home run (Hunter Renfroe) and issued a walk. Michael Kopech suffered his second loss and first blown save, giving up two hits, including a go-ahead two-run home run by Salvador Perez, and recording a strikeout in the top of the eighth. Steven Wilson fired a clean seventh for his second hold. Jordan Leasure notched his second hold, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless sixth. (Game 2) Recording his first save of the season, and second of his career, Deivi García worked two scoreless innings, navigating around a hit and a walk. Tanner Banks was credited with his first hold, allowing a hit, an unearned run, and a walk during his 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | Steven Wilson | Jordan Leasure
Detroit Tigers – Tasked with a tied game in the top of the ninth, Shelby Miller suffered his first loss, allowing a one-out single, and an RBI double by Josh Smith, scoring the deciding run. Miller threw 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6 Strike%) without a whiff. Will Vest fired 1.2 clean frames on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and stranded a runner in the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
Houston Astros – Allowing the “place” runner to score on a two-out RBI single by Orlando Arcia handed Seth Martinez his first loss of the season. He also issued an intentional walk during his outing. Josh Hader fired a clean ninth, keeping the game tied by striking out the side. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) versus the 9-1-2 hitters for Atlanta. Ryan Pressly suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out two in the eighth. Bryan Abreu worked a clean seventh, striking out two for his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – (Game 1): Recording his fourth save, James McArthur worked around a two-out double by Paul DeJong with a game-ending strikeout of Robbie Grossman. “The General” threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He owns a 1.34 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus one walk over 9.2 innings. John Schreiber secured his third hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out two. Nick Anderson collected his first win, allowing a hit and striking out one during a scoreless seventh. Will Smith turned in a clean sixth, recording a strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
Los Angeles Angels – It’s a rare combination, but Hunter Strickland collected his first win, and first blown save, in Tampa Bay. During the eighth inning, he allowed a go-ahead two-run home run by Amed Rosario. But, following his team’s rally in the top of the ninth, he recorded the final three outs, capping the comeback victory. All told, he gave up three hits, two earned runs, and struck out two over two innings. Adam Cimber notched his second hold, stranding two runners in the sixth and tossing 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | Luis García
Minnesota Twins – Suffering his second loss, Griffin Jax gave up a one-out single and a walk-off two-run home run by Cedric Mullins in the bottom of the ninth. Brock Stewart stranded two runners and logged 1.1 scoreless innings giving up a hit while striking out three. Steven Okert was tagged with his second blown save, allowing three hits and an earned run while striking out one over two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | *Steven Okert
New York Yankees – Handed a two-run lead after a four-run rally in the top of the ninth, Clay Holmes worked around a hit for a scoreless outing, recording his seventh save. He owns a 1.11 WHIP with six strikeouts against one walk over nine innings this season. Victor González garnered his first win, retiring his only batter in the eighth. Ian Hamilton logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two. He did let his only inherited runner score in the seventh. Caleb Ferguson gave up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one over a combined inning of relief.
Updated hierarchy: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Victor González
Oakland A’s – Nailing down his fourth save, Mason Miller allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a three-run win over St. Louis. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless through six outings this month with a 16:3 K:BB and 1.11 WHIP over eight innings. Lucas Erceg fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Dany Jiménez
Toronto Blue Jays – Incapable of stemming the tide, Tim Mayza suffered his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score, and an earned run on his ledger, allowing two hits, including a two-RBI single by Aaron Judge during his two-thirds of the ninth. Erik Swanson showed signs of rust, giving up three hits and three earned runs in one-third of the ninth, resulting in his first loss and first blown save during his season debut.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jordan Romano | Erik Swanson | Yimi García
National League (Game Recaps from April 17)
Atlanta Braves – Securing his fifth save, Raisel Iglesias stranded the “place” runner and walked one during a scoreless bottom of the tenth. He threw 12 pitches (5 strikes – 41.7 Strike%) without recording a whiff. He owns a 0.95 WHIP with three strikeouts against one walk over his first 6.1 innings. A.J. Minter retired Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman in the ninth, collecting his third win for his efforts. Joe Jiménez fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out one. Pierce Johnson tossed a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Pierce Johnson
Philadelphia Phillies – Completing a sweep of the Rockies, José Alvarado tossed a scoreless ninth, allowing a two-out single by Elehuris Montero, and striking out one for his third save. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.20 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus six walks through his first 8.1 innings. Jeff Hoffman recorded his second hold, but let all three inherited runners score on an RBI groundout and two RBI single while recording two outs in the top of the eighth. He finished with two-thirds scoreless, giving up a hit and a walk. Gregory Soto imploded, allowing three hits, five earned runs, and two walks over one-third of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains (for now): *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Gregory Soto
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates – Another example of why using closers in non-save situations rarely works, David Bednar struggled in the bottom of the eighth, allowing two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two. His outing began with a lead-off walk, followed by a double, and a fielder’s choice resulting in the first run, another single, and two strikeouts before being lifted. He threw 30 pitches (21 strikes – 70 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). It did not help Josh Fleming let two of three inherited runners score, all going on Bednar’s line during his one-third of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman
San Francisco Giants – Locking down his third save, Camilo Doval fired a clean bottom of the ninth while facing the Marlins’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket. He recorded one strikeout in his outing throwing 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and inducing three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He owns a 1.20 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus two walks over five innings. Tyler Rogers secured his third hold, navigating around two hits for a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Taylor Rogers
Washington Nationals – Finishing off a combined shutout, Kyle Finnegan fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one during a win over the Dodgers. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.32 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus five walks through his first 8.1 innings. Hunter Harvey notched his seventh hold, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two. Robert Garcia secured his third hold, walking one during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Jordan Weems
Quick Hits from April 17
Arizona Diamondbacks – Making his season debut, Justin Martinez worked 1.2 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out one on 24 pitches (62.5 Strike%) without a whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson | Kyle Nelson
Chicago Cubs – Taking over in the fifth inning, Hayden Wesneski collected his first win, tossing four scoreless innings, giving up a hit, and striking out two. He threw 43 pitches (31 strikes – 72 Strike%) and produced four whiffs
Hierarchy remains: Adbert Alzolay | Hector Neris | Mark Leiter Jr.
Cincinnati Reds – Appearing during a loss, Alexis Díaz recorded 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out two. He threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and generated one whiff. He also stranded the bases-loaded in the bottom of the seventh. He owns a 1.36 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus five walks over his first 7.1 innings. Lucas Sims turned in a rough outing, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and four walks, while striking out one, throwing only 15 of 39 pitches for strikes (38.5 Strike%).
Adjusted hierarchy: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz / Lucas Sims
Colorado Rockies – Hidden in a loss, Justin Lawrence worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, allowing a hit and striking out one versus the 8-9-1-2 hitters from the Phillies. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Updated hierarchy: *Nick Mears | *Justin Lawrence (HLR) | Jake Bird
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – Those in redraft leagues can drop Robert Stephenson:
Vulture Save Options
Thursday, April 18
Options will be limited on a five-game slate.
DET: If Corey Seager’s lineup pocket hits in the ninth, Andrew Chafin could be called upon for an ancillary save.
TBR: Based on Fairbanks’ struggles on Wednesday, Jason Adam or Colin Poche may be used for the save this afternoon.
Friday, April 19
SFG: If Camilo Doval pitches today it will be his third outing in four days, so Taylor Rogers or Ryan Walker could benefit with a save chance on Friday
TEX: If Kirby Yates and David Robertson pitch this afternoon, José Leclerc will rise from the ashes for a save chance, if provided, on Friday.
Closer Monkey’s filthy sequence of the day goes to Justin Lawrence facing Kyle Schwarber, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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