Thursday’s full slate included five reliever wins and seven saves, including two relievers recording their first saves of the year. Three wins featured multiple-inning outings by relievers, including an impressive one by Justin Martinez.
Three Takeaways
- Justin Martinez shoves against the Dodgers: Entering with a two-run lead in the bottom of the fifth, Martinez fired three scoreless frames. He only allowed two infield singles and recorded five strikeouts in an impressive outing in Los Angeles. Since May 3, he’s been scoreless in 19 of 22 appearances with 35 strikeouts against 11 walks (20.3 K-BB percentage). Command can sometimes be an issue, but he’s adapting his pitch mix, which features a sinker that can reach 102 m.p.h. Paul Sewald will be a free agent at the end of the season, which means fantasy managers in keeper leagues should monitor his results closely in the second half, including his usage patterns:
- Wild Card effects on the Trade Deadline in the National League: There has been a little separation in the standings for the last Wild Card spot in the National League, but three teams remain within three games of the playoffs, six under five games back, and seven at six games or fewer. Fantasy managers trying to stay ahead of potential trades remain frustrated by the lack of clarity between buyers and sellers. More clarity may emerge by the All-Star break, but here are the current playoff odds from Baseball-Reference.com:
- Finnegan’s no longer the sole proprietor of saves in Washington: Through July 3, Kyle Finnegan recorded all 23 of the Nationals’ saves, representing the season’s last 100 percent save share. This ended on July 4 when Derek Law secured his first save, providing much-needed rest for his team’s closer, who appeared in three straight contests. After this outcome, only Washington and San Francisco have two relievers with a save, and every other franchise has had three or more relievers record a save, including a team-high nine with at least one save for Milwaukee.
Next, our condensed game recaps cover Thursday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Taking over a tied game in the bottom of the seventh, Bryan Baker suffered his first loss. He allowed a lead-off double by Julio Rodríguez, issued a walk, recorded a strikeout, loaded the bases with another walk, and departed after a second strikeout.
- Keegan Akin inherited a bases-loaded situation with two outs and allowed a bases-emptying J.P. Crawford double, breaking the game open. He also served up a solo home run by Mitch Garver in the seventh, resulting in two earned runs on his ledger during his 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Cionel Pérez
Boston Red Sox – Provided a two-run lead in the bottom of the 12th, Greg Weissert held on for his first save, allowing two hits and letting the “place” runner score.
- Zack Kelly collected his third win despite giving up Jesús Sánchez’s game-tying two-run home run in the 11th. His two innings featured a hit allowed, two runs (one earned), and a walk with three strikeouts.
- Kenley Jansen navigated around two hits and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth.
- Brennan Bernardino suffered his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score on consecutive singles in the bottom of the eighth before retiring Josh Bell.
- Justin Slaten gets credit for his ninth hold but gave up two earned runs on two walks and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Houston Astros – Securing his 14th save, Josh Hader navigated around a lead-off single with a double-play groundout and a game-ending flyout, finishing a two-run win over the Blue Jays. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s converted his last five save chances with 11 strikeouts against one walk while allowing a run in two of his last seven appearances.
- Ryan Pressly fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his 13th hold.
- Tayler Scott notched his fourth hold, allowing a walk and striking out two in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Seattle Mariners – Navigating around a hit and a walk, Andrés Muñoz finished a four-run win over Baltimore, preventing a sweep. He allowed a lead-off single by Cedric Mullins, induced a groundball double play, walked James McCann, and then retired Gunnar Henderson on a game-ending groundout. Muñoz threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven outings but last recorded a save on June 18.
- Trent Thornton gave up a solo home run (Jordan Westburg) and struck out two in the eighth.
- Ryne Stanek collected his sixth win. He fired a clean seventh, keeping the game tied, and benefited from his team’s five-run rally in the bottom of the inning.
- Austin Voth stranded a runner at second in the sixth, striking out Jorge Mateo, his only batter faced.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Trent Thornton
Tampa Bay Rays – Wrapping up a crazy contest, Pete Fairbanks held on for his 14th save and a two-run win. He allowed Bobby Witt Jr.’s solo home run and recorded a strikeout in the bottom of the ninth. Fairbanks threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff. This snapped a four-game scoreless streak, but he’s converted nine of ten save chances over his last 14 appearances with 12 strikeouts against three walks.
- Kevin Kelly secured his tenth hold with a clean bottom of the eighth.
- Jason Adam notched his 15th hold, though he let one of two inherited runners score during his 1.2 scoreless frames.
- Garrett Cleavinger allowed a hit and a hit batter, resulting in an earned run over one-third of the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Taking over in the fifth inning, Justin Martinez collected his third win while tossing three scoreless frames and striking out five against the Dodgers. He threw 41 pitches (28 strikes – 68.3 Strike%) and generated eight whiffs (19.5 SwStr%) while allowing two infield singles.
- Ryan Thompson notched his 13th hold, retiring the side in the eighth.
- Thyago Vieira fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side and preserving a six-run win.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Ryan Thompson | Kevin Ginkel
Colorado Rockies – Preserving a one-run win, Jalen Beeks notched his seventh save and retired all four batters versus the Brewers. He entered in the eighth with two runners on against Garrett Mitchell via strikeout and retired Milwaukee’s top of the order in the ninth. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Tyler Kinley recorded his fifth hold, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.
- Anthony Molina collected his first win and was tagged with his second blown save, giving up two hits, including a game-tying Jackson Chourio RBI double. His teammates retook the lead with the go-ahead run at the inning’s bottom.
Updated Hierarchy: Jalen Beeks | Tyler Kinley | Victor Vodnik
Miami Marlins – Getting tagged with his first loss, Matt Andriese allowed two hits, including an RBI single by Tyler O’Neill in the top of the 12th, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out one.
- Calvin Faucher gave up two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk with a strikeout in the 11th.
- Andrew Nardi tossed a scoreless tenth, issuing a walk and striking out two on 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- Tanner Scott fired a clean ninth, striking out the side in a tied contest. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%).
- Anthony Bender worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- A.J. Puk logged 1.2 clean frames and recorded two strikeouts.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Andrew Nardi | A.J. Puk
San Diego Padres – Working around a lead-off walk to Wyatt Langford, Robert Suarez retired the next three Texas hitters on two groundouts and a strikeout for his 22nd save. He preserved a two-run win while throwing 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). He’s allowed one unearned run over his last six appearances with five strikeouts against one walk and converted all five save opportunities.
- Adrian Morejon notched his fifth hold, tossing a scoreless eighth. He gave up a hit and struck out one.
- Jeremiah Estrada tossed 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit for his eighth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Adrian Morejon
San Francisco Giants – Entering with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, Camilo Doval recorded his 16th save. He allowed Marcell Ozuna’s lead-off single and retired the next three batters, two via strikeout. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven with 11 strikeouts against one walk and converted four of five save chances.
- Tyler Rogers fired a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded a strikeout during his 16th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
St. Louis Cardinals – After tossing a clean ninth with the game tied, John King returned for the tenth and earned his third win. He let the “place” runner score on a sacrifice fly and allowed two two-out singles before a game-ending groundout.
- Andrew Kittredge tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Riding in from the bullpen carrying an American flag, Derek Law preserved a 1-0 win over the Mets with a clean ninth while recording two strikeouts for his first save. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). This marked the 13th save of his career and his first clean outing since June 24.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Vulture Save Option for Friday, July 5
- Enyel De Los Santos (SDP): Three relievers have been used in consecutive games, leaving the leverage ladder a bit thin in tonight’s game, but banking on De Los Santos for the vulture save, especially if Christian Walker will hit in the ninth.
Vulture Save Stashes for Saturday, July 6
- Chris Martin (BOS): If Jansen pitches tonight, it will be back-to-back outings.
- Ryan Walker (SFG): If Doval works in tonight’s game, it will be two straight days and three of the last four.
- Phil Maton (TBR): If Fairbanks pitches today, it will mark consecutive outings, putting Maton potentially atop the hierarchy on Saturday.
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