Remaining on brand this season, Rocco Baldelli used Jhoan Durán as his HLR (highest-leveraged reliever), matching him up with José Ramírez’s lineup pocket during a tied contest in the bottom of the eighth. Fantasy managers must adjust their expectations for the talented Twins reliever moving forward.
The Padres altered its high-leverage approach in Atlanta, though it’s likely a result of the opponent more than a new trend. Robert Suarez held on for his first hold, entering against the 2-3-4 lineup pocket, which resulted in the first major league save for Jeremiah Estrada and a hierarchy adjustment.
Josh Hader exacted some revenge against a former employer, securing his sixth save while preserving a one-run over Milwaukee. These games and the remaining high-leverage events of interest from last night will be covered below in our condensed and full recaps.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Leading by three with two runners on and one out in the top of the seventh, Brandon Hyde called upon Yennier Cano as his “fireman”. He responded with a noteworthy HLR performance, inducing an inning-ending double play groundout by Dylan Moore. Cano recorded his 10th hold and threw three pitches, all strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: *Craig Kimbrel | *Yennier Cano | *Danny Coulombe
*= closer-by-committee
(RP | CLE): Save number 13 for Emmanuel Clase. He retired the side and recorded one strikeout during a one-run win over the Twins.
(RP | HOU): Locking down his sixth save, Josh Hader fired a clean ninth against one of his former teams while striking out one.
(RP | MIN): With the game tied, Jhoan Durán entered against the Guardians’ top of the lineup, matching up with José Ramírez, but the move backfired resulting in his first loss after giving up a go-ahead solo home run against him after recording two quick outs.
(RP | NYY): Closing out his 13th save, Clay Holmes issued a walk and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless ninth against the White Sox.
(RP | TBR): Firing a clean bottom of the ninth, Pete Fairbanks secured his fourth save and recorded one strikeout during a one-run win in Toronto.
National League
(RP | ATL): Tossing a scoreless top of the ninth during an eventual loss, Raisel Iglesias navigated around two hits with two groundouts and a pop-out. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s given up a hit in five of six outings in May, and multiple hits in consecutive contests.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Joe Jiménez
(RP | CHC): Appearing during a six-run loss, Héctor Neris tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing a lead-off single by Connor Joe then retired the next three hitters. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This marked his first outing since May 12 and he’s been scoreless in five of six during May.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Ben Brown
(RP | CIN): Another rough outing for Alexis Díaz. He entered with his team trailing for the bottom of the eighth and allowed a one-out single by Andy Pages followed by Jason Heyward’s two-run home run. He rebounded by retiring the next two, including an inning-ending pop-out by Mookie Betts. He’s given up two runs in his last two appearances, and multiple runs in three of five games this month (3.1 IP, five hits, eight earned runs, six walks, and three strikeouts) while converting one of two save chances.
Although his manager has not placed his closer on the hot seat, we will. Lucas Sims could receive a save chance soon or the team will trade for a potential replacement at the backend of the bullpen.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims| Fernando Cruz
(RP | LAD): During a non-save outing, Daniel Hudson tossed a clean top of the ninth, closing out a four-run victory over Cincinnati.
(RP | PHI): During his third save, Jeff Hoffman worked around a hit for a scoreless ninth, preserving a two-run win over the Nationals.
(RP | SDP): Handed a two-run in the bottom of the ninth in Atlanta, Jeremiah Estrada recorded his first MLB save by striking out the side against the 7-8-9 lineup pocket.
(RP | SFG): Working as the “bulk reliever“, Sean Hjelle collected his first win. He took over in the fourth and tossed two scoreless innings against the Rockies.
Vulture Save Options for Saturday, May 18
PHI: Alvarado and Hoffman have appeared on consecutive days, which means it may be Orion Kerkering or Gregory Soto for the save, depending on lineup pockets. Matt Strahm could be a sneaky play for a vulture win as well.
TBR: Fairbanks has pitched in three of the last four days, which may yield a save chance for Jason Adam today, barring a rules violation.
Vulture Save Stashes for Sunday, May 19
ATL: If Iglesias records a save today, it will be two outings in a row placing A.J. Minter in line for a save on Sunday.
CIN: With Díaz struggling, Lucas Sims could be called upon for the save chance on Sunday.
HOU: If Hader pitches today, Ryan Pressly could benefit and receive the save opportunity on Sunday.
NYY: Holmes locked down a save on Friday, and if he pitches again today, perhaps Luke Weaver will get his first save chance on Sunday. Stay tuned.
Game Recaps – American League
Cleveland Guardians – Shutting the door on his 13th save, Emmanuel Clase fired a clean top while striking out one, finishing a one-run win over the Twins. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff. This outing extended his scoreless streak to eight games during which he’s converted all five save chances with eight strikeouts against one walk and a 0.25 WHIP over eight innings. Tim Herrin collected his second win, and first blown save, allowing his only inherited runner to score on a pinch-hit RBI double. Scott Barlow gave up a hit and an earned run while striking out two in two-thirds of the eighth for his 10th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Scott Barlow | Nick Sandlin
Houston Astros – Firing a clean top of the ninth, Josh Hader nailed down his sixth save while striking out one against Milwaukee. He’s now recorded a save against all 30 MLB teams. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). He’s converted his last six save chances. Bryan Abreu secured his ninth hold, tossing a scoreless eighth, allowing a walk, and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Minnesota Twins – Taking over a tied game in the bottom of the eighth, Jhoan Durán allowed two hits, including a go-ahead solo home run by José Ramírez, resulting in his first loss. This also marked his first earned run allowed this season through his first eight appearances. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. Griffin Jax fired a clean seventh, striking out two. Steven Okert served up a game-tying home run by David Fry, scoring an inherited runner and putting one earned on his ledger.
Hierarchy remains: *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.
New York Yankees – Securing his 13th save, Clay Holmes tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, walking one and striking out one against the White Sox. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). He remains the only qualified reliever without an earned run allowed this season and has converted He’s recorded multiple strikeouts in seven of nine outings with a 17:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings. Caleb Ferguson stranded two runners and recorded two outs in the eighth, striking out one for his seventh hold. Ian Hamilton gave up three hits and an earned run while striking out one over one-third of the eighth, receiving credit for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Victor González
Tampa Bay Rays – Closing out a one-run win in Toronto and his fourth save, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one. He threw six pitches (83.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%). Since returning from the injured list, he’s recorded four clean appearances with six strikeouts. Manuel Rodríguez was credited with his first hold, letting his only inherited runner score while giving up a hit during his two-thirds of the eighth inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Pete Fairbanks | *Jason Adam | Garrett Cleavinger
*= closer-by-committee
Game Recaps – National League
Los Angeles Dodgers – Although there was no save, Daniel Hudson turned in a clean top of the ninth, finishing a four-run win over the Reds. He retired the 3-4-5 hitters on eight pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless over his last three games but has not secured a save since May 8. Blake Treinen match-up with the 9-1-2 lineup pocket, recording his third hold with a clean outing and striking out one on seven pitches (all strikes) with two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He’s racked up three holds and a win while producing five shutout innings since his return from the injured list. Michael Grove collected his second win, tossing a clean top of the seventh and striking out one ahead of his team’s rally in the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Daniel Hudson | *Blake Treinen | *Alex Vesia
*= closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies – Save number three for Jeff Hoffman. He worked around a one-out double by Joey Gallo by retiring the next two batters for a scoreless ninth, preserving the two-run win. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) without a whiff. This represents his first save since April 30. José Alvarado faced the first two hitters in the Nationals lineup, both left-handed, in the eighth and retired both for his third hold. He’s finished five of his eight appearances this month (62.5 Games-Finished%).
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Representing one of the last relievers with all of his team’s saves this season, the streak ended for Robert Suarez. He was tasked with the top of Atlanta’s batting order and navigated around two hits for a scoreless outing in the eighth inning while striking out two. Jeremiah Estrada notched his first MLB save by firing a clean ninth and striking out the side. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). Enyel De Los Santos secured his fifth hold, retiring both batters in the seventh and striking out one. Yuki Matsui tossed two-thirds combined innings, issuing a walk and striking out two during his fifth hold.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Jeremiah Estrada
San Francisco Giants – Benefiting from his team’s four-run bottom of the fifth, Sean Hjelle garnered his first win while tossing two shutout frames giving up three hits and striking out one against the Rockies. Luke Jackson was credited with his first hold, allowing a hit, an earned run, and a walk with one strikeout over two-thirds of the sixth. Erik Miller notched his seventh hold walking one over one-third of the sixth and stranding a runner. Ryan Walker secured his fifth hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out one. Tyler Rogers worked a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout during his eighth hold. Richard Rodríguez turned in a scoreless top of the ninth, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one finishing a five-run win over Colorado.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Nate Pearson. He worked a scoreless top of the ninth and may emerge with a larger leverage share soon, video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
In case you missed it, What to Watch For during high-leverage events this weekend was posted yesterday. 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.
