One of the most difficult things about covering high-leverage relievers lies in balancing the needs of fantasy managers seeking clarity versus how teams handle save situations. It’s an unforgiving task at times. During Monday’s 10-game slate, seven saves were recorded with two proving frustrating from a fantasy lens.
For a second straight appearance, Minnesota used Jhoan Durán against the toughest lineup pocket matching him up against Julio Rodríguez in the eighth inning. Rocco Baldelli does not care about our fantasy results, he’s managing the late innings for wins. He’s recorded more holds (2) over his last two games than he did all of last year (1). One cannot rage drop the talented reliever, but patience may be required moving forward based on recent usage patterns. Hope lies in his role taking shape as the season ensues.
When the Dodgers placed Evan Phillips on the 15-day injured list, Dave Roberts mused he had no idea who would close games, hinting at fluidity. Last night, he deployed Blake Treinen as the HLR (highest-leveraged reliever) in the top of the eighth, facing the Marlins’ 2-3-4 hitters, and opted for Alex Vesia in the ninth, who secured his first save with a clean inning despite facing two right-handed pinch hitters. Will Vesia be the closer, probably not, but he’s in the mix with Daniel Hudson and Treinen based on how hitting pockets evolve in the late innings. Plan accordingly.
With this in mind, here are last night’s recaps, in a shortened form and full.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | CLE): Save number 11 for Emmanuel Clase. He fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout while preserving a one-run win against the Tigers.
(RP | KCR): Hanging on for his second save of the season, Chris Stratton navigated around two walks for a scoreless ninth, preserving a one-run over Milwaukee.
(RP | MIN): Firing a clean top of the ninth, and striking out two, Caleb Thielbar nailed down his third save during a two-run win over Seattle.
(RP | OAK): Entering in the eighth with a two-run lead, Lucas Erceg walked the first batter he faced and gave up another single before allowing a three-run home run by Corey Seager, suffering his second blown save.
(RP | TBR): Recording a win for the second straight day, Erasmo Ramírez took over in the fifth, logging three scoreless frames while walking one and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Adam | *Garrett Cleavinger | *Phil Maton
*= closer-by-committee
(RP | TEX): Summoned with a two-run lead going into the ninth, Kirby Yates worked around a walk during a scoreless outing, earning his sixth save of the season.
National League
(RP | CHC): Even though he stranded a runner in the fifth, Richard Lovelady did not record an out in the sixth, allowing three hits and three earned runs, resulting in his first loss.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Yency Almonte
(RP | LAD): With a three-run lead in the ninth, Alex Vesia was given the save opportunity for the Dodgers. He retired the side and recorded his first save of the season.
(RP | MIL): Handed a 2-0 lead, Jared Koenig suffered his first loss, while being credited with his first hold, allowing a hit, three earned runs, a hit-batter, and a walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Trevor Megill | *Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
*= closer-by-committee
(RP | NYM): Bouncing back from a blown save on Sunday, Edwin Díaz secured his fifth save, firing a clean ninth in St. Louis while recording one strikeout.
(RP | PHI): During a non-save appearance, Orion Kerkering recorded his second game-finished, firing a clean ninth while wrapping up a five-run win over the Giants.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
(RP | SDP): Recording his second five-out save this season, Robert Suarez stranded the bases-loaded in the eighth and retired each batter faced, three via strikeout for his 11th save.
(RP | STL): Entering a tied game in the top of the seventh, Andrew Kittredge suffered his first loss, serving up a go-ahead solo home run by Brandon Nimmo during his outing.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Game Recaps – American League
Cleveland Guardians – Protecting a one-run lead against the 8-9-1 lineup pocket, Emmanuel Clase retired the side while striking out one for his 11th save. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s converted his last seven save chances and allowed one unearned run over his last 11 outings, posting 13 strikeouts versus one walk through 10.1 innings. Hunter Gaddis navigated around two hits for a scoreless eighth, and recorded one strikeout for his seventh hold. Nick Sandlin stranded two runners in the sixth, and tossed 1.1 scoreless innings with one strikeout, collecting his third win. During his season debut, Sam Hentges turned in two-thirds scoreless and issued a walk.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Scott Barlow | Nick Sandlin
Kansas City Royals – Although he battled his command throughout his outing, Chris Stratton held on for his second save, capping a one-run come-from-behind win over the Brewers. He threw 21 pitches (11 strikes – 52.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff, but navigated around two walks with a double play ground-out and a game-ending grounder by Gary Sánchez. Will Smith stranded two runners while retiring two batters in the eighth for his third hold. Tyler Duffey gave up a hit and a walk over one-third scoreless in the eighth, getting credited with his first hold. Nick Anderson collected his second win, firing a clean seventh and striking out two on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
Minnesota Twins – A fantasy player’s nightmare has manifested itself in this leverage ladder. Despite his dominance as the preferred save option last year, Jhoan Durán has been deployed as the HLR since returning from the injured list. On Monday, he faced the 9-1-2 lineup pocket of Seattle, obliterating the side on 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generating two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) while striking out two, lined up opposite of Julio Rodríguez. Caleb Thielbar benefited with the save chance, securing his third with a clean ninth, and recording two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). Griffin Jax collected his third win, and second blown save, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two in the seventh.
Updated hierarchy: *Jhoan Durán (HLR/PSS) | *Griffin Jax | *Caleb Thielbar
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option, but will be used in the highest-leverage moment in games when deemed necessary.
Oakland A’s – Entering in the seventh, and protecting the shutout, Austin Adams secured his ninth hold while retiring the side, and striking out two, versus the Rangers’ 4-5-6 batters. Lucas Erceg could not do the same in the eighth, suffering his second loss and second blown save, allowing two hits, including a go-ahead three-run home run by Corey Seager. His final line, was two hits allowed, three earned runs, and two walks with two strikeouts. Dany Jiménez gave up a hit, an unearned run, and two walks while striking out one in the top of the ninth.
Updated Hierarchy: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Austin Adams
Texas Rangers – Despite pitching two innings on Sunday, Kirby Yates recorded his sixth save, finishing a comeback win over Oakland with a scoreless ninth, navigating around a one-out walk with a game-ending double play. He threw 17 pitches (8 strikes – 47.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He remains one of two relievers who have not allowed an earned run this season (Clay Holmes). He’s also recorded two wins while converting all six save chances over his last eight appearances with a 0.60 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB. David Robertson fired a clean eighth and struck out one for his American League-leading 11th hold. José Leclerc collected his third win after tossing a scoreless seventh, issuing a walk and recording two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
Game Recaps – National League
Los Angeles Dodgers – Benefiting from a match-up-based approach, Alex Vesia converted his first save of the season, firing a clean top of the ninth while preserving a three-run win over Miami. He took over against the 5-6-7 lineup pocket, and the Marlins countered with two right-handed pinch hitters without any results. Vesia threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%) with one strikeout. After a slow start, he’s given up an unearned run over his last eight appearances with 10 strikeouts versus four walks, and a 0.88 WHIP over eight innings. Blake Treinen operated like an HLR, retiring the 2-3-4 batters in the eighth, recording a strikeout on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with one whiff. Ryan Yarbrough collected his third win, logging three scoreless frames and allowing a hit with two strikeouts.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Daniel Hudson | *Blake Treinen (HLR) | *Alex Vesia
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Maintaining a short memory, Edwin Díaz rebounded from yesterday’s outing by locking down his fifth save, firing a clean bottom of the ninth against St. Louis, preserving a one-run win. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He’s converted five of six save chances with a 0.82 WHIP and 22 strikeouts versus four walks through 14.2 innings. Adam Ottavino notched his fifth hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Jake Diekman tossed a scoreless seventh, allowing a hit and striking out one for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Adam Ottavino | Reed Garrett
San Diego Padres – Forced into action in the bottom of the eighth, Robert Suarez inherited a bases-loaded situation and did not blink, stranding the bases loaded while retiring all five batters faced against the Cubs, recording his 11th save. He threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced two whiffs while striking out three. He owns a 12-game scoreless streak with a 0.69 WHIP (nice) and 11 strikeouts against four walks over 13 innings. Jeremiah Estrada was credited with his first hold, allowing a hit and walking one with a strikeout during his one-third of the eighth. Despite giving up a hit and two walks over one-third combined innings, Wandy Peralta collected his fifth hold. Enyel De Los Santos gave up a solo home run, and a walk while striking out one in a combined inning. Yuki Matsui issued a walk and served up a two-run home run by Christopher Morel, with a strikeout in two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Enyel De Los Santos
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, May 7
CLE: Clase’s pitched in two straight games, which opens the door for an ancillary save chance. Hunter Gaddis has struggled recently and they may play a match-up approach with either Sandlin or Scott Barlow receiving the save, if provided.
MIN: After securing two straight holds, Durán should be unavailable today, placing Jax or Thielbar in the line for save tonight, and it will depend on when Rodríguez hits.
NYM: “Sugar” Díaz has pitched on consecutive days, putting Reed Garrett or Adam Ottavino on the radar for the ancillary save this evening.
TEX: With Yates and Robertson appearing in the previous two days, it should be Leclerc for the save, hang on tight.
Things do not look great for Wednesday, since most vulture save chances will rely on usage patterns from tonight’s slate.
Closer Monkey’s filthy sequence of the day goes to Durán, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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