No April’s Fool, but two of the five vulture recommendations from Sunday recorded a save, which represents a pretty good percentage in baseball averages. It was an odd slate, providing some strange moves in high-leverage events because of fatigue or workload management situations. Focusing on the most pertinent moments first, Monkey Bytes recaps will be split by league after.
Detroit Tigers – Once again, fantasy favor fell upon Jason Foley. He took over a one-run contest facing two right-handed hitters and retired both for his second save of the season. He only threw seven pitches (57.1 Strike%) without a whiff. He turned in 1.1 clean frames with two strikeouts. Tyler Holton fired 1.1 clean innings, striking out four on 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) with two whiffs while collecting his first win. Andrew Chafin suffered his first blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run by Paul DeJong in the seventh. The depth in this leverage ladder makes this a dangerous team with a lead after the sixth inning. There’s not guarantee Foley will remain atop the bullpen hierarchy, but ride the wave while it lasts “Mullet Militia“.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jason Foley | *Shelby Miller | *Andrew Chafin
Boston Red Sox – Not only did Justin Slaten strand two inherited runners in the seventh, but he logged 2.1 clean frames for his first career save. He only needed 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). Joely Rodríguez allowed a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh. Greg Weissert tossed a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out one. As for the daily Kenley Jansen update, Ian Browne provided this tweet before today’s game in Seattle, but it was cryptic, and the closer was needed for a save. Consider him day-to-day moving forward, unless a clearer update surfaces.
Tentative Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Josh Winckowski
Pittsburgh Pirates – Another extra-inning affair in Miami ended with Hunter Stratton recording his first career save. He navigated around a hit while stranding the “place” runner for a scoreless 10th and recorded one strikeout on 15 pitches (80 Strike%) with four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). David Bednar suffered his first blown save but collected his first win, serving up a game-tying solo home run (Nick Gordon) and striking out two in the bottom of the ninth. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (41.7 SwStr%). Aroldis Chapman notched his first hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out two, throwing 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) with four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). Ryan Borucki secured his second hold, retiring the side in order in the seventh and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Ryan Borucki
Texas Rangers – Entering a tied game in the top of the ninth, José Leclerc struggled with his command, resulting in his first loss. He allowed one hit, four earned runs, and three walks over two-thirds of an inning. He threw 28 pitches (42.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs.
After two outings, he owns an inflated 3.60 WHIP over 1.2 innings. Jacob Latz replaced him, letting all three inherited runners score on two hits during his one-third of an inning. Yerry Rodríguez tossed two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and two walks while striking out two. José Ureña logged 2.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: José Leclerc | Kirby Yates | David Robertson
American League Recaps (March 31)
Chicago White Sox – Taking over with two runners on, Tim Hill let one score on a go-ahead RBI single by Andy Ibañez, and issued a walk during his one-third of an inning. Steven Wilson absorbed his first loss, allowing a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the ninth. Michael Kopech shoved, firing 1.2 clean frames and striking out three on 17 pitches (16 strikes – 94.1 Strike%) while inducing four whiffs (23.5 Strike%). John Brebbia gave up a hit and struck out one in two-thirds combined innings. Tanner Banks worked a scoreless combined inning, walking one and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Michael Kopech | *John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
Houston Astros – Appearing for the third time in four days, Josh Hader suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, including a go-ahead RBI single by Juan Soto, and striking out two in the top of the ninth. He threw 25 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (12 SwStr%). Bryan Abreu bounced back with 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up two hits and striking out two. Tayler Scott tossed a scoreless combined innings, issuing a walk and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Los Angeles Angels -Save number one for Carlos Estévez, firing a clean bottom of the ninth while preserving a three-run win. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff. José Soriano logged three scoreless frames, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out two. He threw 34 pitches (22 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (11.8 SwStr%) for his first hold. Also, good news from the injuries and roster moves page on MLB.com regarding Robert Stephenson. He threw last Thursday and will again on Monday in Miami. He hopes he can return by the end of April.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | José Soriano
New York Yankees – Hanging on for his third save, Clay Holmes navigated around two hits with a ground out and two flyouts for a scoreless ninth, preserving a one-run win. He threw 17 pitches (58.8 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 1.67 WHIP through his first three innings. Nick Burdi collected his first win, retiring both batters faced in the eighth, recording one strikeout. Caleb Ferguson tossed a scoreless combined inning, walking one and striking out one. Jonathan Loáisiga suffered his first blown save, letting his only inherited runner score while conceding three hits and a walk while striking out one in his combined inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Jonathan Loáisiga
Oakland A’s – After navigating around a hit and a walk for a scoreless ninth, with a hat tip for his catcher (Shea Langeliers) picking off a runner at third, Dany Jiménez picked up his first win of the season courtesy of a walk-off in the bottom of the frame. He threw 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) without getting a whiff. Austin Adams suffered his first blown save, letting his only inherited runner score, allowing a hit, an unearned run, and striking out one. Lucas Erceg received credit for a hold despite giving up two hits, two runs (one earned), and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Mason Miller | *Dany Jiménez | *Lucas Erceg
National League Recaps (March 31)
Arizona Diamondbacks – Finishing off a four-run win, Kevin Ginkel allowed a hit while recording three strikeouts. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). Through two outings, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with three strikeouts. Ryan Thompson tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit. Scott McGough worked two scoreless frames, yielding a hit.
Hierarchy Remains: Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson | Scott McGough
Chicago Cubs – Putting the bow on a four-run victory, Adbert Alzolay fired a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out two. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (25 SwStr%). Hector Neris collected his first win, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless bottom of the eighth. Julian Merryweather logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two. Mark Leiter Jr. tossed a scoreless fifth, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Adbert Alzolay | Hector Neris | Julian Merryweather
Cincinnati Reds – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Lucas Sims collected his first win after retiring the side in order in the top of the ninth on an efficient 12 pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff. Fernando Cruz fired a clean eighth, striking out one on eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) with a whiff while stranding two of three inherited runners. Tejay Antone did not record an out, allowing a hit, an earned run, and two walks. Buck Farmer gave up two hits, including a solo home run, and a walk while striking out one in the seventh. Emilio Pagán fired a clean sixth, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims | Emilio Pagán
Los Angeles Dodgers – Recording his first save since July 5, 2023, Daniel Hudson closed out a one-run comeback win over the Cardinals with a clean ninth, striking out two. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%). Through two outings, he’s recorded a win and a save. Nabil Crismatt logged two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out three for his first win during his team debut. Alex Vesia worked into, and out of trouble, issuing two walks, hitting a batter, and allowing an unearned run while striking out two in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Evan Phillips | Joe Kelly | Daniel Hudson
Miami Marlins – Things went awry early on for Tanner Scott. He took over a tied game in the top of the 10th, but did not field a bunt cleanly, allowing runners on the corners, and never recovered, suffering his first loss. He gave up a hit (squeeze bunt), two runs (zero earned), and a walk while striking out three. He threw 27 pitches (20 strikes – 74.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He owns a 2.00 WHIP with a 5:3 K:BB over his first two innings. Vladimir Gutierrez suffered his first blown save, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out four over four innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Anthony Bender | Andrew Nardi
Milwaukee Brewers – Filling in affably in the ninth, Joel Payamps retired the side in order, recording one strikeout for his first save. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He’s posted two clean outings with three strikeouts. Bryan Hudson worked three scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out four on 37 pitches (26 strikes – 70.3 Strike%) with four whiffs for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Abner Uribe | *Joel Payamps | Trevor Megill
Philadelphia Phillies – A resilient outing by José Alvarado, nailing down his first save and preserving a one-run win over Atlanta while facing the 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). This outing cut his bloated ERA in half. Gregory Soto retired his only batter faced, stranding two runners in the eighth for his first hold. Seranthony Domínguez got credit for his first hold, giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out two. Matt Strahm collected his first win, allowing a hit and striking out two in a scoreless seventh. Jeff Hoffman fired a clean sixth, recording two strikeouts on 14 pitches (64.3 Strike%) without a whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | *Seranthony Domínguez
San Diego Padres – In ascending order of appearances, Pedro Avila collected his first win, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two over three innings. Yuki Matsui tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one. He threw 13 pitches (6 strikes – 46.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). Wandy Peralta turned in a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Wandy Peralta
Washington Nationals – Rough outing alert for Kyle Finnegan. He suffered his first loss and blown-save, giving up three hits, including two home runs, and three earned runs over two-thirds of the ninth. He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. Hunter Harvey tossed a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking out one for his first hold. Dylan Floro worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one during his first hold. Robert Garcia navigated around two hits for a scoreless sixth, recording one strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Matt Barnes
Monday’s Vulture Save Candidates
- Aroldis Chapman (PIT)
- Ryan Pressly (HOU)
- Ian Hamilton (NYY)
- Jordan Weems (WSH)
Closer Monkey’s filthy sequence of the day goes to Aroldis Chapman facing Jazz Chisolm Jr. on Sunday, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Until next time, stay safe and be well.
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