Although Saturday only yielded five saves, there were high-leverage events of interest throughout the slate. Atlanta and the Angels both recorded walk-off wins in extra-innings. The Dodgers scored seven runs in the top of the 11th during their eventual win. Relievers secured seven wins in the 15-game slate, and with July on the horizon, bullpens take on a larger role.
Working shorthanded, the Mets face a dilemma until Edwin Díaz can return on July 6. This headlines our three takeaways from yesterday’s action.
Three Takeaways
- Mets leverage needs: The timing of Díaz’s suspension could not have been worse. New York’s in the middle of 18 straight games until the All-Star break and suffered a loss in Saturday’s game despite leading by five runs after three innings. A combination of starting pitchers not working deep into games combined with running the bullpen a reliever short makes this stretch more difficult. Four walks in the eighth inning were the culprit in the loss against Houston, which can signify fatigue. In this column by Anthony DiComo for MLB.com, John Stearns acknowledges the team needs bullpen help ahead of the trade deadline, but it may be required sooner rather than later:
- Holmes continues to scuffle: His team’s losses in ten of its last 13 games make a rough patch by its closer more difficult for fantasy managers. During his first outing since June 23, Clay Holmes allowed a two-out double by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and an RBI single by Vlad Guerrero Jr. before producing an inning-ending strikeout. He last recorded a save on June 9 and has allowed at least a run in four of his last five appearances. Through 10 appearances in June, he’s suffered two losses while converting three of four save chances with a 1.45 WHIP. His .364 batting average on balls in play (BAbip) sits 66 points over his career rate, so better days lie ahead evidenced by his 2.74 SIERA versus his 5.59 ERA this month, though some positive outings would help his fantasy managers.
- Miami’s saves after Scott?: It’s no secret the Marlins will be trading pending free agent Tanner Scott. Who replaces him in save situations remains open for debate. A.J. Puk has produced 13 strikeouts against two walks (20.8 K-BB%) with a 0.86 WHIP in 14 innings this month while recording three holds. Calvin Faucher currently leads the team with four holds in June, but has been inconsistent in leverage situations. His 11:5 K:BB (16.2 K-BB%) and 1.44 WHIP illustrate his volatility but he’s been deployed in the eighth inning over his last four appearances. Andrew Nardi struggled early this year, but has surged in recent outings producing 11 strikeouts against zero walks (26.2 K-BB%) this month with three holds in 12 games spanning 10 innings. Fantasy managers must monitor how the team uses these relievers, with the trade deadline only a month away.
Our condensed game recaps cover Saturday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Hanging on for his 19th save and second while preserving a one-run lead, Craig Kimbrel navigated around two walks for a scoreless ninth with a game-ending pop-out by Adolis García. Kimbrel threw 22 pitches (50 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in eight of his last nine appearances, converting six of seven save opportunities while striking out 13 against five walks across nine innings. This save also moved him ahead of Kenley Jansen for fifth all-time in saves (436).
- Cionel Pérez stranded a runner and gave up a hit in one-third of the eighth for his tenth hold.
- Jacob Webb allowed a solo home run (García) and walked one over two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his ninth hold.
- Yennier Cano fired a clean seventh and struck out one for his 20th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Cionel Pérez
Chicago White Sox – Tanner Banks was awarded his second win. He logged 1.1 innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- Steven Wilson stranded a runner and worked a scoreless eighth, striking out two for his eighth hold.
- Finishing an eight-run win, Justin Anderson fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout. It would have been a save chance until his teammates tacked on six runs in the bottom of the eighth. He’s been scoreless over his last nine appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Tanner Banks
Detroit Tigers – After working a clean bottom of the ninth with the game tied, Jason Foley returned for the tenth, inducing a sacrifice bunt and allowing a walk-off RBI single by Kevin Pillar, resulting in his second loss. He finished 1.1 innings, allowing an unearned run on a hit, striking out one on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%), and induced one whiff.
- Will Vest suffered his fourth blown save, giving up Logan O’Hoppe’s game-tying solo home run in the eighth.
- Tyler Holton stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the seventh for his fight hold.
- Beau Brieske was credited with his second hold. He gave up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk during his two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
Houston Astros – Shutting the door on his 12th save, Josh Hader fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts during a three-run win over the Mets. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). Through 11 outings in June, he’s converted all five save chances but allowed at least a run in three contests.
- Ryan Pressly secured his 12th hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Seth Martinez collected his third win, retiring the side and striking out one in the seventh, ahead of his team’s three-run rally in the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Los Angeles Angels – Following a clean top of the tenth, Ben Joyce collected his first win when his team produced a walk-off rally in the bottom of the frame. He retired the Tigers’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket in order and recorded a strikeout while throwing 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
- Carlos Estévez kept the game tied with a scoreless ninth, allowing a one-out single and getting an inning-ending caught stealing. He’s logged ten scoreless appearances in June while converting eight saves with ten strikeouts and a minuscule 0.20 WHIP.
- Carson Fulmer tossed a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one.
- Hans Crouse retired the side in the seventh and recorded two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Matt Moore
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Securing his 11th save, Paul Sewald fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while preserving a combined shutout. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s converted each of his 11 save opportunities this season and owns a 16-game scoreless streak with 12 strikeouts against three walks.
- Kevin Ginkel logged two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two. He’s been scoreless in 11 of 12 outings this month and collected four wins.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Ryan Thompson | Kevin Ginkel
Atlanta Braves – After retiring the side in the top of the tenth, Daysbel Hernández collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off in the bottom of the inning.
- Raisel Iglesias navigated around a two-out triple by Bryan Reynolds with an intentional walk and an inning-ending groundout, keeping the game tied. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs.
- Joe Jiménez worked around two one-out walks for a scoreless eighth and recorded a strikeout.
- Pierce Johnson fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | Pierce Johnson
Chicago Cubs – Another white-knuckle ride with Hector Neris during a save appearance. He navigated around a lead-off single and a one-out walk with consecutive strikeouts, preserving a two-run win in Milwaukee. He threw 28 pitches (16 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This marked his first save since June 12 and the 100th of his career. After this outing, he has a modest three-game scoreless streak.
- Porter Hodge notched his first hold, tossing a scoreless eighth, allowing a one-out single by Christian Yelich.
- Luke Little collected his third win, giving up two hits and striking out one in a scoreless seventh ahead of his team’s two-run rally in the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Tyson Miller | Porter Hodge
Los Angeles Dodgers – Protecting a seven-run lead, Ryan Yarbrough tossed a scoreless bottom of the 11th.
- Daniel Hudson suffered his fifth blown save and collected his fifth win. He allowed an RBI double by David Villar in the bottom of the tenth, tying the game, then escaped further damage with the bases loaded with a strikeout and a pop-out, ending the inning.
- Evan Phillips tossed a scoreless ninth, walking one and striking out one on 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) with one whiff. This outing extended his scoreless streak to nine games.
- Blake Treinen fired a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Alex Vesia was tagged with his second blown save, letting his only inherited runner score on a Brett Wisely single during his combined inning.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Alex Vesia
Miami Marlins – Nailing down his 12th save, Tanner Scott fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a one-run win in Philadelphia. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s converted a save in four straight outings and been scoreless in 11 of 12 this month with 15 strikeouts against five walks across 13 innings.
- Calvin Faucher retired the side in the eighth and recorded two strikeouts versus the 3-4-5 lineup pocket for his eighth hold.
- A.J. Puk worked a scoreless seventh and issued a walk during his third hold.
- Andrew Nardi collected his first win, tossing 1.1 clean frames and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | Calvin Faucher | A.J. Puk
Milwaukee Brewers – With the score tied in the top of the eighth, Joel Payamps suffered his fourth loss. He issued a lead-off walk and gave up Ian Happ’s go-ahead two-run home run before recording an out. During his one-third of the eighth, Payamps finished with a hit against, two earned runs, and three walks.
- Enoli Paredes logged 1.2 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out one.
- Bryan Hudson fired a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts. He remains scoreless through eight appearances in June, with 14 strikeouts against one walk across 12 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Bryan Hudson
New York Mets – With two runners on and two outs, Reed Garrett took over in the eighth. He threw a wild pitch that scored a runner, issued a walk, and gave up a go-ahead, two-RBI single by Alex Bregman, resulting in his third loss and third blown save. He did not retire a batter while giving up a hit, an earned run, and two walks.
- Jake Diekman took over in the eighth and struggled with his command. He issued two walks, which resulted in two earned runs, and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the inning for his seventh hold.
- Ty Adcock logged 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out one for his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: *Reed Garrett | *Jake Diekman | Adam Ottavino
*= match-up-based approach
San Francisco Giants – Things went off the rails in the top of the 11th. Sean Hjelle issued an intentional walk (Shohei Ohtani) before the Dodgers recorded five straight hits, three for extra bases, resulting in Hjelle’s second loss. He finished with six hits allowed, eight runs (six earned), and a walk while striking out one over two innings.
- Camilo Doval navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless ninth, recording three strikeouts. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%).
- Ryan Walker logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, June 30
- Luis García (LAA): With Estévez appearing in back-to-back games, García should be atop the hierarchy in today’s contest, looking for a sweep.
- Dedniel Núñez (NYM): Although he logged two innings on Friday, the rookie could be in line for the save today with Garrett and Diekman working the two previous contests.
- Tyler Rogers (SFG): Doval has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.
- Dillon Tate (BAL): He may be the last man standing in the bullpen. Kimbrel, Cano, and Pérez have all pitched on consecutive days leaving this leverage ladder thin in today’s game against Texas.
Vulture Save Stash for Monday, July 1
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): If Hader pitches today, it will be two straight, and he will get Monday off.
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