Thursday’s smaller slate yielded high-leverage outings of interest, along with some insight on how teams may be structuring their bullpens with May on the horizon. Although fantasy players prefer clarity, a clear-cut closer may not be used by teams who prefer matching up by lineup pockets in a series. With this in mind, here’s today’s Monkey Bytes.
Milwaukee Brewers – In his 103rd MLB appearance, Trevor Megill recorded his first career save, firing a clean bottom of the ninth against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket of Pittsburgh. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He owns a 1.06 WHIP with five strikeouts against three walks over his first 5.2 innings. Joel Payamps operated as the HLR, allowing a lead-off double by Oneil Cruz, retiring the next two batters, walking Andrew McCutchen, and inducing an inning-ending groundout by Bryan Reynolds for his third hold. He’s been scoreless in 11 of his 12 games this year. Jared Koenig collected his first win, navigating around two hits and a walk during a scoreless seventh. Abner Uribe recorded a clean sixth, striking out the side on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
It may be frustrating from a fantasy perspective, but manager Pat Murphy maps out the high-leverage innings in a match-up-based fashion, which will provide Payamps, Megill, and others saves when necessary. There will not be a traditional closer moving forward.
Hierarchy remains: *Joel Payamps | *Trevor Megill (HLR) | Abner Uribe
*= closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs – Although he dealt with traffic, Hector Neris held on for his third save, navigating around consecutive walks in the top of the ninth (Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker) with a fielder’s choice groundout at third, a fielder’s choice groundout recorded at second putting runners at the corners, then inducing a game-ending groundout to first, preserving the two-run win. Neris threw 27 pitches (16 strikes – 59.3 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He’s converted three straight saves despite his underlying data. Hayden Wesneski collected his second win, firing 2.1 clean frames and striking out one.
Leaving this as shared for now, but if Neris remains entrenched in the ninth inning this weekend, the hierarchy will adjust accordingly.
Hierarchy remains (for now): *Hector Neris | *Mark Leiter Jr. (HLR) | Adbert Alzolay
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the rest of Thursday’s recaps, by their respective league.
American League – Game Recaps from April 25
Cleveland Guardians – Shutting the door on his eighth save, Emmanuel Clase fired a clean ninth, striking out one while preserving a two-run win over the Red Sox. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.85 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus one walk over 13 innings and he’s recorded 94 saves since 2022. Cade Smith worked a clean eighth, striking out two for his second hold. Scott Barlow turned in a clean seventh, striking out one, and securing his sixth hold. Hunter Gaddis collected his first win, letting his only inherited runner score, yielding a hit over two-thirds scoreless in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Scott Barlow
Minnesota Twins – Forced into action in the top of the ninth, Griffin Jax inherited a bases-loaded situation with one out. He retired his first batter faced via strikeout, then let an inherited runner score on a fielding error by Carlos Santana, then induced a game-ending groundout by Andrew Vaughn, closing out a three-run win for his fourth save. Jax threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) while producing two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). Steven Okert created the mess, allowing a hit, an unearned run, a hit batter, and a walk over one-third of the ninth. Brock Stewart notched his sixth hold, tossing a scoreless eighth while giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two. Caleb Thielbar fired a clean seventh for his second hold. Cole Sands collected his first win, issuing a walk during a scoreless sixth, ahead of his team’s three-run rally in the bottom of the frame.
Updated Hierarchy: *Griffin Jax | *Brock Stewart | Caleb Thielbar
Oakland A’s – Save number six for Mason Miller. He took over in the eighth and stranded a runner, striking out José Trevino. Miller returned for the ninth and worked around a one-out single by Anthony Volpe by striking out Juan Soto and coaxing a game-ending flyout by Aaron Judge. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). This outing extended his scoreless streak to 10.1 innings with 22 strikeouts against three walks and a 0.68 WHIP. He also raised his already ridiculous strikeout percentage over 50 in this outing (51.1 percent – 23 strikeouts of 45 batters faced). T.J. McFarland recorded his fourth hold, allowing a hit and striking out one over two-thirds of the eighth. Lucas Erceg secured his sixth hold, walking one and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Dany Jiménez
* =closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – Nailing down his third save, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean bottom of the ninth, preserving a one-run win, and the series. He threw eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) without recording a whiff. He’s turned in consecutive scoreless outings and been unscored upon in six of his last seven. Gabe Speier secured his fourth hold, stranding two runners in the seventh and logging 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit while striking out one. He’s been scoreless in 10 of 11 games this season while posting a 15:2 K:BB. Ryne Stanek was credited with his fourth hold, despite allowing two hits and an unearned run while striking out two in the seventh.
Although the team has used Muñoz in some HLR patterns, it prefers him for save chances, here’s hoping he receives a clearer path toward them moving forward.
Hierarchy remains: *Andrés Muñoz | *Ryne Stanek | Gabe Speier
*= closer-by-committee
National League – Game Recaps from April 25
Colorado Rockies – Capping a six-run rally in the bottom of the eight, Justin Lawrence locked down his second save, firing a clean ninth, and striking out one. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s converted saves in his last two contests and been scoreless in four of his last five outings. Tyler Kinley collected his first win despite giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth. Nick Mears gave up two hits and two earned runs while striking out two in the seventh. Peter Lambert logged 2.2 scoreless frames.
Updated hierarchy: Justin Lawrence | Jake Bird / Nick Mears
Los Angeles Dodgers – Snapping back into form, Evan Phillips secured his seventh save, firing a clean bottom of the ninth, and striking out two. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He owns a 1.13 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against four walks through his first 10.2 innings while converting all seven save chances. Daniel Hudson recorded his sixth hold, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one. Alex Vesia worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out three on 15 pitches (80 Strike%) with five whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Joe Kelly
Philadelphia Phillies – Appearing in a non-save capacity, Jeff Hoffman preserved a combined shutout, stranding two runners in the eighth, and logging 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit, and striking out three. He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (35 SwStr%). Through 11 games, he owns a 1.15 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against five walks. Orion Kerkering turned in a clean seventh, then ran into trouble in the eighth, giving up a hit and a walk before being removed. He finished with 1.2 scoreless frames and recorded two strikeouts throwing 39 pitches (61.5 Strike%) with five whiffs (12.8 SwStr%).
Updated Hierarchy: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Taking over in the third, Jhony Brito stranded a runner, and logged 2.1 scoreless innings, scattering three hits. Enyel De Los Santos notched his third hold, stranding two runners in the fifth, and retiring all four batters faced via strikeout. Then things went off the rails. Yuki Matsui gave up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one over a combined inning. Wandy Peralta let both inherited runners score, allowing three hits, four earned runs on his ledger, and a walk, while striking out one over one-third of the eighth, resulting in his first loss. Stephen Kolek let his only inherited runner score, yielding a hit and a walk with one strikeout in his one-third of the eighth. Colorado scored six runs in the frame.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Robert Suarez | Enyel De Los Santos / Yuki Matsui
Quick Hits from April 25
Boston Red Sox – As promised, Kenley Jansen made his first appearance since April 20, tossing a clean bottom of the eighth and striking out one during an eventual loss. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and produced one whiff facing the Guardians 6-7-8 batters. Chris Martin allowed two hits, an unearned run, and a walk in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Houston Astros – Suffering his first loss, Rafael Montero allowed two hits and two earned runs while striking out one during his combined inning of relief. He did strand two runners for Justin Verlander in the fifth but gave up a single by Dansby Swanson in the sixth, a stolen base, another single, and a fielder’s choice groundout, tying the game. He left with a runner on and Bryan Abreu let him score, serving up a two-run home run by Pete Crow-Armstrong. Abreu logged 1.2 innings, giving up two hits, an earned run, and recording two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Pittsburgh Pirates – Aroldis Chapman suffered his second loss and second blown save, giving up two hits, including a two-run, go-ahead home run by Gary Sánchez, and striking out one in the eighth. He’s given up at least a run in five straight outings, allowing four hits, eight runs (six earned), and seven walks while striking out six over three innings. His WHIP has risen from 1.13 to 1.75 as a result.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman
Texas Rangers – Back from the injured list, Josh Sborz fired a clean top of the ninth, keeping the game within one run. Cole Winn tossed two clean frames, striking out four during the eventual loss.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
Washington Nationals – Appearing during a loss, Kyle Finnegan tossed a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on 10 pitches (70 Strike%) with two whiffs (20 SwStr%). He last recorded a save on April 17 but owns a 1.06 WHIP over his first 10.1 innings. Jordan Weems allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Jordan Weems
Vulture Save Options for Friday, April 26
CHC: Neris has pitched on consecutive days, but with match-ups in play, it could be Mark Leiter Jr. or Yency Almonte. Also keeping tabs on Ben Brown, he could emerge as an impact reliever.
MIL: Both Megill and Payamps have pitched on back-to-back days, opening the door for an Abner Uribe save chance.
MIN: Another team with its top options working the previous two days, Jax and Stewart will be unavailable, putting Matt Bowman and Caleb Thielbar on the radar for an ancillary save chance, though Cole Sands remains in play.
OAK: Noting the team will not use Miller on consecutive days, Lucas Erceg has been his primary set-up reliever, making him the play for the vulture save.
Vulture Save Options for Saturday, April 27
BOS: If Jansen pitches again tonight, Justin Slaten could get a multi-inning save chance on Saturday.
LAD: Phillips has pitched in two of the last three days, and if he gets a save chance tonight, Joe Kelly would be in line for the save on Saturday.
SEA: Muñoz has also pitched in two of the last three, but if Stanek and Speier also pitch this evening, it would be a mix of Trent Thornton or Tayler Saucedo for the save on Saturday.
WSH: Finnegan logged an outing during a loss on Thursday, but if he pitches again tonight, Hunter Harvey would receive the save chance on Saturday.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to this cutter by Emmanuel Clase, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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