Despite a postponement, Monday’s slate yielded six saves across its 11 contests, though bullpens played a part in late-inning outcomes in other games as well. First, for those on tight timelines today, the condensed game recaps followed by the longer capsules and vulture save options.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Preserving a combined shutout, Danny Coulombe recorded his first save, retiring all three batters faced, and stranding an inherited runner against the Yankees.
(RP | CWS): During a tied game, John Brebbia took over in the top of the ninth, but gave up consecutive hits, resulting in the go-ahead run, handing him his first loss of the season.
(RP | LAA): Carlos Estévez held on for his fifth save of the season despite giving up an earned run in the ninth.
(RP | MIN): Handed a one-run lead, Caleb Thielbar recorded his second save, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out during a scoreless bottom of the ninth, extending his team’s win streak to eight games.
(RP | SEA): Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Austin Voth collected his first win after tossing a scoreless top of the ninth, giving up a hit and striking out three against Atlanta.
(RP | TBR): Recording his first save of the season, Jason Adam navigated around a hit, a walk, and a hit-batter for a scoreless ninth while striking out two, preserving a 1-0 win in Milwaukee.
(RP | TOR): Closing out a one-run win, and securing his first save of the season, Nate Pearson navigated around two hits with a game-ending strikeout.
National League
(RP | ATL): With Raisel Iglesias unavailable after pitching in the Braves’ previous two games, A.J. Minter was summoned for the save opportunity. He gave up a single, followed by a two-run home run, and suffered his second blown save of the year.
(RP | CHC): Converting his fourth save of the season, Héctor Neris issued two walks and recorded two strikeouts during a scoreless ninth.
(RP | CIN): Alexis Díaz pitched the ninth in a non-save situation, allowing three hits and an earned run.
(RP | LAD): Making a non-save appearance, Evan Phillips turned in a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one while closing out a four-run win in Arizona.
(RP | NYM): Suffering his first loss, Edwin Díaz allowed a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the ninth against Christopher Morel. The good news, he recorded all three outs via strikeout, but it feels hollow during this outing.
(RP | PHI): Suffering his second loss, Seranthony Domínguez allowed three hits and two earned runs in the bottom of the eighth in San Diego.
Game Recaps – American League
Baltimore Orioles – Securing his first save of the season, and third of his career, Danny Coulombe stranded a runner while retiring the Yankees’ 8-9-1 batters in the bottom of the ninth, preserving a combined shutout. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Yennier Cano did the heavy lifting, taking over against Aaron Judge in the seventh with a runner on, and retired four straight. He did give up a lead-off single in the ninth against Gleyber Torres before being lifted but notched his seventh save in the process.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Chicago White Sox – Taking over a tied game in the top of the ninth, John Brebbia suffered his first loss, allowing a lead-off double by Byron Buxton and a go-ahead RBI single by Max Kepler. He settled in after, retiring three in a row, including two by strikeout, but the damage had been done. Michael Kopech fired a clean eighth, striking out one on 16 pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
For those interested, Prelander Berroa was warming during the ninth inning. He and Jordan Leasure represent the future in this hierarchy.
Hierarchy remains (for now): *Michael Kopech | *Steven Wilson | John Brebbia
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – Capping a comeback victory, Carlos Estévez survived loud contact, allowing a line drive single by Trea Turner and a ground-rule double by Bryce Harper, resulting in an earned run on a sacrifice fly with a game-ending strikeout for his fifth save. He threw 26 pitches (17 strikes – 65.4 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). This marked his first outing since April 23 and he owns a 0.75 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus no walks through eight innings. Matt Moore secured his fifth hold, issuing a walk and striking out two during a scoreless eighth. Adam Cimber collected his second win despite allowing a hit and two walks in a scoreless seventh. Hunter Strickland tossed a scoreless sixth, walking one.
Updated hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | Adam Cimber
Minnesota Twins – Provided a one-run lead in Chicago, Caleb Thielbar secured his second save of the season, working around a hit and a walk while striking out two during a scoreless bottom of the ninth, extending his team’s win streak to eight games. He threw 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%), including a game-ending strikeout of Korey Lee with runners on the corners. Griffin Jax collected his second win. He tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one. Brock Stewart fired a clean seventh, striking out two on 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Assured of a winning record in April, the Twins will get their closer back as well. Jhoan Durán remains on track for activation before Tuesday’s game.
Projected hierarchy: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Caleb Thielbar
Tampa Bay Rays – Hanging on for his first save of the year, Jason Adam preserved a 1-0 win in Milwaukee while walking a highwire act. His outing began with a lead-off double, a lineout, and a walk. He recorded a strikeout, with an odd interference call preventing a run from scoring. After, with two outs, Adam hit Rhys Hoskins with a pitch before a game-ending strikeout of Blake Perkins. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (31.6 SwStr%) during an effectively wild appearance. Kevin Kelly fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his first hold. Shawn Armstrong notched his second hold, walking one and striking out one during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Adam | *Garrett Cleavinger | Phil Maton
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Recording his first save of the season, and second of his career, Nate Pearson tossed a scoreless ninth, preserving a one-run win. He worked around a lead-off single by Maikel Garcia, and a two-out pinch-hit single by Salvador Perez with a game-ending strikeout of Michael Massey. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Erik Swanson held on for his fourth hold, allowing a solo home run (Freddy Fermin), and striking out one in the eighth. Tim Mayza fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his fourth hold. Trevor Richards was credited with his third hold, giving up a solo home run and striking out one in the sixth. Génesis Cabrera collected his first win, stranding the bases-loaded in the fourth and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit while striking out two.
Although there will be no hierarchy change right now, keeping tabs on Swanson versus Pearson going forward. Since returning from the injured list, Swanson’s allowed at least a run in three of his five appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Jordan Romano | Yimi García (HLR) | Erik Swanson
Game Recaps – National League
Atlanta Braves – Suffering his second loss and second blown save, A.J. Minter allowed a lead-off single by Jorge Polanco followed by a walk-off, two-run home run by Mitch Garver. This snapped a nine-game scoreless streak by the reliever and he’s posted a 0.86 WHIP over 13 games this month with 12 strikeouts against one walk. Joe Jiménez survived two hits and a walk with two strikeouts during a scoreless eighth, securing his seventh hold. Pierce Johnson fired a clean seventh, striking out the side on 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Joe Jiménez
Chicago Cubs – Working into, then out of trouble, Héctor Neris converted his fourth straight save chance, navigating around two walks with consecutive strikeouts, closing out a two-run win over the Mets. He threw 24 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven games but has issued nine walks while recording five strikeouts over these 6.1 innings with a 1.43 WHIP. Mark Leiter Jr. collected his first win, retiring both batters in the bottom of the eighth, and stranding a runner before his team’s rally in the ninth.
Updated hierarchy: Hector Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Adbert Alzolay
Cincinnati Reds – Logging a non-save appearance, Alexis Díaz was not at his best, though he attacked the strike zone. Facing the top of the Padres lineup, he recorded two quick outs, then gave up a double by Jake Cronenworth, a single by Manny Machado, and an RBI single by Xander Bogaerts before a game-ending strikeout of Ha-Seong Kim. Finishing with three hits against and an earned run with two strikeouts, he threw 23 pitches (21 strikes – 91.3 Strike%) with five whiffs (21.7 SwStr%). Through 12 games this season, he owns a 1.25 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against six walks. Fernando Cruz nailed down his seventh hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one on 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) with three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz (HLR) / Lucas Sims
Los Angeles Dodgers – Closing out an 8-4 win, Evan Phillips fired a clean bottom of the ninth in a non-save outing, recording a strikeout. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s logged 10 appearances in April, converting all six save chances with a 13:4 K:BB over 10.1 innings. Alex Vesia worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. Joe Kelly notched his sixth hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless seventh. Daniel Hudson fired a clean sixth for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Joe Kelly
New York Mets – Entering a tied game in the top of the ninth, Edwin Díaz allowed a one-out double by Mike Tauchman and a go-ahead two-run home run on an elevated four-seam fastball against Christopher Morel, resulting in his first loss of the season. He threw 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (26.3 SwStr%) while recording all three outs via strikeout. During his dominant 2022, he only allowed three home runs all season, but he’s already allowed two this year.
Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Adam Ottavino | Reed Garrett
Philadelphia Phillies – Taking over in the bottom of the sixth with two runners on and no outs, Orion Kerkering suffered his first blown save. He recorded two quick outs on a sacrifice bunt, and an RBi fielder’s choice ground out, but let the second inherited runner score on an RBI single by Cole Tucker with two outs. Kerkering worked a scoreless outing, yielding only one hit on nine pitches (88.9 Strike%). Seranthony Domínguez was tagged with his second loss, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out one in the bottom of the seventh. Gregory Soto worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, walking one and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
(RP | ARI): Pitching during a loss, Justin Martinez retired his only two batters faced in the top of the ninth, inducing a ground out by Kiké Hernández and an inning-ending fly out by Andy Pages. He threw six pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff. Although he’s a work in progress, being aggressive in the strike zone like this outing remains key for future success in high-leverage events.
(RP | MIA): Appearing during a loss, Tanner Scott fired a clean top of the ninth while facing the top of the Nationals lineup, throwing 10 pitches (70 Strike%). He’s been scoreless in four of his last five.
(RP | MIL): During an eventual 1-0 loss, Trevor Megill tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, giving up a hit and striking out one while facing the Rays’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
(RP | NYY): Taking over with two runners on and two outs, Clay Holmes induced a grounder, but an error by Anthony Volpe scored a runner before an inning-ending strikeout. He threw eight pitches (75 Strike%) and produced one whiff in this outing. He owns a 0.98 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against one walk over 13.1 innings.
(RP | SDP): Although he appeared during a loss, Jeremiah Estrada fired two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts versus the Reds. He threw 20 pitches (55 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%).
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, April 30
BAL: If Craig Kimbrel remains unavailable today, Keegan Akin or Mike Baumann could receive the save chance, though Cionel Pérez just back from the injured list could be a factor as well since it may be lineup pocket dependent.
CWS: Kopech’s pitched in three of the previous four days, so it will be Steven Wilson or Jordan Leasure for the save chance. Keep tabs on how the team deploys recently promoted Prelander Berroa as well.
DET: Doubleheaders yield ancillary save chances, putting Alex Lange on fantasy player’s radars.
NYM: “Sugar” Díaz has pitched in two straight, which means Adam Ottavino or Reed Garrett are in play for tonight’s potential save chance.
STL: Speaking of let’s play two, if there’s a sweep for the Cardinals on the road, Ryan Fernandez could be a sneaky play for an ancillary save or vulture win.
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, May 1
CHC: If Neris pitches again tonight, Keegan Thompson or even Adbert Alzolay could receive the save opportunity on Wednesday.
CIN: Keep tabs on Díaz, if he pitches again today, he will need Wednesday off, placing either Fernando Cruz or Lucas Sims in line for the ancillary save.
OAK: If Mason Miller pitches tonight, it may provide Lucas Erceg with a save chance on Wednesday.
TBR: Garrett Cleavinger could be in play for a save chance on Tuesday or Wednesday, Adam’s worked in two of the prior three days.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to Pierce Johnson‘s curve, which produced three strikeouts against Seattle last night.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community, 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.
