Thursday’s limited slate became smaller when the Cubs game was postponed. It will be made up as a doubleheader on Saturday. But, all three early games provided a save. These, and other tidbits of information ahead of the weekend covered in today’s Monkey Bytes.

Cleveland Guardians – Nailing down his fifth save, Emmanuel Clase fired a clean ninth, striking out one while facing the 9-1-2 lineup pocket. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He owns a 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus zero walks through his first nine innings. Hunter Gaddis notched his fourth hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one.

Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Scott Barlow

Tampa Bay Rays – Recording his second save of the season, Colin Poche navigated around a lead-off single by Miguel Sanó and a two-out single by Luis Rengifo with a game-ending fielder’s choice forceout. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He also registered a strikeout in this outing and owns a 1.50 WHIP with six strikeouts versus three walks through 7.1 innings. Phil Maton secured his MLB-leading eighth hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Garrett Cleavinger fired a clean seventh, striking out two on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with one whiff.

Many hoped Jason Adam would receive the save chance, but he pitched on consecutive days on Monday and Tuesday. Tampa Bay tries giving relievers two days off after this type of workload. Fantasy players love having the next guy up ready, however, in this post by Adam Berry of MLB.com, the team remains steadfast in its support for their closer.

His ratios have been rough, and it’s a result of his command issues. Here are his leverage trends since 2021, focusing on the Strike percentage, and 3-0 count percent:

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/56hDD/4/

Despite his struggles, he’s converted three of four save chances. If he’s capable of righting the ship, hope lies inside his in-and-out-of-zone pitch chart from Brooks Baseball since 2022:

With such a small sample, it’s tough to say he should be replaced, especially given his contract. So, exact some patience and await improved command rates moving forward.

Hierarchy remains (for now): Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche

Texas Rangers – Pressed into action with two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Kirby Yates quelled the threat by strikeout out Spencer Torkelson. In the ninth, he worked around a two-out single by Gio Urshela with a game-ending flyout by Javier Báez, recording his second save. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He owns a 0.46 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against two walks over 8.2 innings. José Leclerc collected his first win, tossing a scoreless combined inning of relief, issuing two walks and striking out two. He stranded two runners in the seventh but departed in the eighth with two runners on. José Ureña logged three scoreless frames, scattering two hits and allowing a walk while striking out one.

Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc

Quick Hits and Injury Updates

Boston Red Sox – Pitching during an eventual loss, Chris Martin tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, giving up a hit and striking out one. Justin Slaten turned in two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one. He’s posted a 0.41 WHIP with nine strikeouts over his first 12.1 innings.

Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten

Detroit Tigers -During his outing in the ninth, Andrew Chafin gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one. Shelby Miller suffered his second loss, though his defense played a part, giving up a hit, an unearned run, and striking out one in the eighth. A failed rundown and a throwing error on a fielder’s choice scored the winning run. Alex Lange faced two batters and struck them out on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with four whiffs (44.4 SwStr%). Tyler Holton worked 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding two hits. Alex Faedo logged 2.1 innings, allowing a hit and an unearned run while striking out one.

Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin

Los Angeles Angels – Appearing during a loss, Matt Moore tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth, striking out one. He’s posted a 0.38 WHIP with six strikeouts versus zero walks over eight innings. Luis García fired 1.2 clean frames, striking out two on 15 pitches (13 strikes – 86.7 Strike%) and producing four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). After a rough start this season, he’s recorded seven scoreless outings, spanning his last 6.2 innings.

Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | Luis García

Minnesota Twins – From MLB.com’s injury updates and roster moves page:

Hierarchy remains: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | *Steven Okert

* =closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates – Per Jon Heyman, Aroldis Chapman has been suspended for two games because of his actions prompting an ejection against the Mets earlier this week. Chapman can appeal.

Seattle Mariners – Although the note’s not updated, if it happens, Matt Brash may begin his minor league rehab assignment this weekend:

Updated hierarchy: *Andrés Muñoz | *Ryne Stanek | Tayler Saucedo

*= closer-by-committee

What to Watch For (W2W4)

American League

Chicago White Sox: How will Pedro Grifol structure his bullpen over the weekend during a save chance?

Houston Astros: Josh Hader has made 10 appearances this year with five considered low leverage by Baseball Reference. Can his new manager deploy his closer more effectively?

Minnesota Twins: What lineup pockets will the leverage relievers match up with this weekend?

Oakland A’s: A column by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle suggested Mason Miller will only make between 45-to-60 appearances this year. What reliever receives the next ancillary save chance?

Seattle Mariners: Will Andrés Muñoz receive his first save chance since April 6?

Toronto Blue Jays: How effectively do Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson pitch?

National League

Chicago Cubs: Does Adbert Alzolay bounce back? He’s suffered two blown saves over his last five appearances. Also, monitor how Hector Neris and Mark Leiter Jr. pitch this weekend just in case.

Cincinnati Reds: Alexis Díaz secured his last save on April 8, does he get one this weekend? Does Fernando Cruz leapfrog past Lucas Sims in the hierarchy?

Colorado Rockies: Who gets the next save chance? From a fantasy perspective, will it matter?

Miami Marlins: Can Tanner Scott improve his command during high-leverage events? Will a reliever emerge as a viable option setting him up?

Philadelphia Phillies: Who benefits in the “floating closer” match-ups this weekend? Does Orion Kerkering appear in a high-leverage situation?

Pittsburgh Pirates: How does David Bednar fare during his next save chance?

Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to Emmanuel Clase, featuring this cutter while facing Boston, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.

Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community, stay safe and be well.

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