Noting Friday’s slate only yielded four saves, Saturday not only provided a multitude of high-leverage events, it was pure chaos. It started with the Rays not using Pete Fairbanks against the Yankees during a save situation, followed by a blown save in Game 1 by Adbert Alzolay, two saves by relievers moving up the all-time lists, and much, much more. All covered in today’s Monkey Bytes.
Chicago Cubs – (Game 1): Forced into action with two runners on and two outs in the top of the eighth, Adbert Alzolay issued a walk and recorded an out, ending the threat. In the ninth, he allowed a one-out single by Luis Arraez, and a go-ahead two-run home run by Bryan De La Cruz, resulting in his second loss and fourth blown save this season. He worked 1.1 innings, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk. He owns a 1.40 WHIP with nine strikeouts against four walks over his first 10 innings. Mark Leiter Jr. was credited with his fourth hold, allowing two hits and striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth. Yency Almonte fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out one for his fifth hold.
(Game 2): Despite early season struggles, Hector Neris closed out a split, tossing a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing a one-out single by Avisail García before inducing a flyout and a game-ending strikeout of Nick Gordon. Neris threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). This marked his fifth consecutive scoreless outing, but he’s issued four walks in it. Ben Brown tossed two scoreless, giving up two hits and striking out three.
There’s no confirmation about a change at closer for the Cubs, but comments by Craig Counsell suggested the team will be seeking consistency in performances by the team’s relievers, and with this in mind, noting Leiter Jr. may be deployed as the HLR, the hierarchy has been adjusted.
Updated hierarchy (for now): *Adbert Alzolay | *Hector Neris | *Mark Leiter Jr.
*= closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays – With a left-handed leaning lineup pocket in the bottom of the tenth, Garrett Cleavinger took over with a two-run lead, and closed out his first career save, retiring the side in order and recording a strikeout. After the game it was reported Pete Fairbanks had a stomach issue and was not at the stadium. Jason Adam collected his first win, firing a clean bottom of the ninth and striking out one versus the Yankees’ 2-3-4 hitters. He threw 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). Phil Maton worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. Colin Poche tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit.
As noted by Marc Topkin in his postgame recap, Fairbanks has missed games because of baseballs in Coors Field, Friday and Saturday with an illness, and turned in a viral press conference about levels of “suck”. Which does not help fantasy players seeking saves. Patience will be required, especially for a reliever with a 2.29 WHIP and two saves in only three opportunities.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
New York Mets – Pressed into action in the eighth with the game in the balance, Edwin Díaz took over against the Dodgers’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket, protecting a two-run lead with an inherited runner on the bases and one out. His outing began with consecutive walks (Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman) loading the bases, followed by strikeouts against Teoscar Hernández and Max Muncy, ending the threat. He threw 20 pitches (45 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%) during his first hold. Reed Garrett received the ninth and converted his first major league save, striking out the side versus the 6-7-8 hitters, throwing 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
Manager Carlos Mendoza explained after the game he planned on using Díaz against the heart of the order, which occurred in the eighth, and after throwing 20 pitches, he preferred not to extend his closer into the ninth inning. This may be a foretelling of future save events by other teams facing Los Angeles, especially with the lineup being stacked from one-through-four, but weaker near the bottom.
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Adam Ottavino | Reed Garrett
Boston Red Sox – Nailing down his fifth save, Kenley Jansen fired a clean ninth, striking out the side during a two-run win in Pittsburgh. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). He owns a 1.57 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus eight walks through 7.2 innings. This save also moved him into fifth all-time, marking his 425th of his career. Greg Weissert retired his only batter for his first hold in the eighth. Joely Rodríguez received credit for his fourth hold despite giving up a solo home run over his two-thirds of the eighth. Chris Martin turned in a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit while posting his fourth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Baltimore Orioles – Benefiting from two strong plays by his defense, Craig Kimbrel retired the side for his fifth save, and moved into a tie for seventh all-time, with Billy Wagner at 422 each. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He owns a 0.33 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus zero walks over nine innings. Mike Baumann notched his first hold, retiring one batter and stranding a runner in the eighth. Keegan Akin gave up a hit and struck out one over two-thirds of the eighth for his third hold. Yennier Cano was credited with his second hold, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the seventh. He also let an inherited runner score.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Our remaining recaps will be split by their respective league.
American League – Game Recaps from April 20
Cleveland Guardians – Shutting the door for his sixth save, Emmanuel Clase navigated around a lead-off double by Ryan Noda with a strikeout, a groundout, and a game-ending strikeout. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (35.7 Strike%). He owns a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts against zero walks through his first 10 innings. Hunter Gaddis notched his fifth hold, tossing a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out two. Scott Barlow secured his fifth hold, walking one and striking out three during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Scott Barlow
Houston Astros – Another frustrating loss, culminated by a walk-off single by Joey Meneses, allowed by Seth Martinez, handing him his second loss in the bottom of the tenth. Ryan Pressly suffered his second blown save in the ninth. His outing started with a runner reaching via catcher interference followed by a CJ Abrams double, and a game-tying two-RBI single by Jesse Winker. Pressly’s final line was two hits against, two runs (one earned), and a strikeout in his outing. Bryan Abreu secured his third hold, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
Houston has led after six innings in half of its 22 games but owns a 7-15 record. Its high-leverage triumvirate must improve moving forward.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Minnesota Twins – Securing his second save, Griffin Jax fired a clean ninth, striking out two on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s been frustrating from a fantasy perspective but he owns a 1.11 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over his first nine innings as his team’s HLR. Cole Sands let one of two inherited runners score during his two-thirds of the seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one for his first hold. Steven Okert gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk over one-third of the seventh, getting credit for his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | *Steven Okert
* =closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – Suffering his third loss, Caleb Ferguson gave up two hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out two in the top of the tenth against the Rays. Clay Holmes worked a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit and striking out two. He threw 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (19 SwStr%). He’s not allowed an earned run through 11 innings this season while recording eight strikeouts versus one walk.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Victor González
Toronto Blue Jays – Save number two for Jordan Romano. He closed out a three-run win in San Diego, firing a clean ninth and striking out one. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%). Through his first three games, he owns a 0.67 WHIP with two strikeouts and no walks over three innings. Erik Swanson had another outing filled with traffic. He allowed three hits, and an earned run while recording a strikeout in the eighth for his second hold. Yimi García stranded a runner and retired both batters he faced, notching his second hold. He’s retired 21 consecutive hitters since April 10 with 11 strikeouts over his last six appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Jordan Romano | Yimi García (HLR) | Erik Swanson
National League – Game Recaps from April 20
Atlanta Braves – Securing his sixth save, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean top of the ninth, recording two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He lowered his WHIP to 0.82 and has posted a 5:1 K:BB through his first 7.1 innings. A.J. Minter worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one, notching his second hold. Joe Jiménez turned in a clean seventh, striking out two for his fifth hold.
Updated hierarchy: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Joe Jiménez
Cincinnati Reds – Locking down his third save, Alexis Díaz fired a clean ninth, striking out one versus the Angels’ 8-9-1 batters. He threw 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.20 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against five walks through 8.1 innings. Nick Martinez logged three scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out two for his first hold on 42 pitches (28 strikes – 66.7 Strike%) with seven whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz / Lucas Sims
Miami Marlins – (Game 1): The good news is Tanner Scott threw strikes, landing 13 of his 16 pitches (81.3 Strike%) in the strike zone and he produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). However, he did give up two hits leading off the ninth before recording an out on a sacrifice bunt, a strikeout, and then a game-ending ground-out by Nico Hoerner for his third save. It’s been a rough start to the season here’s hoping he’s turning a corner. Calvin Faucher logged two scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out four while collecting his first win.
(Game 2): Taking over in the sixth, Anthony Bender suffered his first loss and first blown save, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and a walk over two-thirds of an inning.
Updated hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Andrew Nardi | Calvin Faucher
Milwaukee Brewers – Collecting his second win, Bryse Wilson logged 1.1 clean frames, taking over in the fourth inning. Hoby Milner retired all four batters faced, recording one strikeout. Abner Uribe tossed 1.2 scoreless frames, walking two and striking out two. He threw 30 pitches (14 strikes – 46.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He owns a 1.74 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against six walks through 10.1 innings. Thyago Vieira gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk in the bottom of the ninth, closing out the 12-5 win.
Updated hierarchy: *Joel Payamps | *Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe
Philadelphia Phillies – A fantasy favorite, and rare occasion, José Alvarado took over a bases-loaded situation in the top of the ninth and induced a game-ending groundout to first base for a one-pitch save. This marked his fourth save of the season and he’s been scoreless this month with seven strikeouts versus four walks over seven innings. Ricardo Pinto gave up five hits, five earned runs, and two walks while striking out one in two-thirds of the ninth. Seranthony Domínguez stranded an inherited runner while allowing a hit and a walk over two-thirds of the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Seranthony Domínguez
San Francisco Giants – During a non-save outing, Camilo Doval closed out a four-run by striking out the side against the 7-8-9 lineup pocket for Arizona. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus two walks over six innings. Tyler Rogers worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one. Taylor Rogers notched his second hold, firing a clean seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Taylor Rogers
Washington Nationals – After tossing a clean top of the tenth, stranding the “place” runner, Kyle Finnegan collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off in the bottom of the inning. He threw seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Tanner Rainey worked a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit. Jordan Weems gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the eighth. Hunter Harvey appeared in the seventh, letting one of two inherited runners score, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless outing. Robert Garcia suffered his first blown save, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and a walk without recording an out before his removal.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Jordan Weems
Vulture Saves for Sunday, April 21
MIN: Jax has appeared on consecutive days, placing Brock Stewart or Caleb Thielbar in line for a vulture save later today, based on lineup pockets.
NYY: Holmes has pitched in two straight days, so Ian Hamilton should be the beneficiary, though Victor González does have an ancillary save this year.
TOR: Romano worked on Friday and Saturday, so going off the board a bit and calling Nate Pearson for the save chance, if provided, in San Diego today.
Vulture Saves for Monday, April 22
ATL: If Iglesias and Minter pitch on Sunday, Pierce Johnson could be in line for the save chance on Monday.
BAL: Kimbrel’s been active often lately, and if he pitches Sunday, it will be consecutive days putting Jacob Webb on the radar for Monday.
CIN: If the team uses Díaz today, it may open the door for a save chance for Fernando Cruz or Lucas Sims on Monday.
MIA: After securing a save on Saturday, if Tanner Scott pitches on Sunday, Calvin Faucher or Andrew Nardi could record the save chance on Monday.
NYM: If Díaz pitches on Sunday, Adam Ottavino should be the beneficiary of a save opportunity on Monday.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day was awarded to Raisel Iglesias, throwing this game-ending change-up, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community, until next time, stay safe and be well.
Please consider becoming a premium subscriber for a one-time $20 donation to the site, featuring full-text emails with charts, column blurbs, and ad-free analysis.
