Friday’s full slate featured five reliever wins and eight saves. There was only one extra-inning game, with the Angels prevailing on a walk-off home run. David Bednar returned from the injured list with a save, showing no signs of rust against the White Sox.
Two young guns in the American League West displayed their high-octane speed, and a sullied non-save outing by a Reds’ reliever received attention in today’s Three Takeaways segment.
Three Takeaways
- Alexis Díaz and traffic, a dangerous combination: Our recaps will not feature this, but Alexis Díaz closed out a win over Miami, entering with a four-run lead. He allowed a one-out double, followed by an RBI two-out single, uncorked a wild pitch, issued a walk, and induced a game-ending groundout. He threw 25 pitches (52 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff. He had not pitched since July 7 but has allowed four runs over his last two appearances on five hits and two walks. It’s been an up-and-down season for the Reds’ closer, but the valleys may outweigh the peaks. After this outing, he has a 1.46 WHIP in 2024, which aligns with his 1.44 WHIP over the last statistical year. He’s struggling with left-handed hitters, posting a .352 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and 1.84 WHIP through 72 batters faced this season, and he’s throwing more four-seam fastballs compared with last year with mixed results. He may not be on the “hot seat,” but he should be on watch in the second half:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/CK44C/2/
- Feel the need, the need for speed? Look toward the AL West: Although Ben Joyce nor Mason Miller recorded a save or a hold on Friday night, they lit up the radar gun in their respective outings. Joyce turned in a scoreless seventh, hitting a batter and recording a strikeout during a tied game with the Mariners. Miller finished a four-run win in Philadelphia with a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit and striking out two. As for the velocities, let the Statcast leaderboard from last night’s games do the talking:
- Yimi’s rehab outing: After having his rehab appearance pushed back on three occasions, Yimi García suffered a loss during Buffalo’s game last night. He allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk on 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) during his two-thirds of the sixth inning. Toronto maintains it may activate him as soon as Sunday; here’s hoping his velocity rebounds in the second half:
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Houston Astros – Taking over with a three-run lead, Josh Hader locked down his 18th save with a clean ninth and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (38.5 SwStr%) against the Rangers’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket, though two pinch-hitters were used. He’s turned in three straight scoreless outings with multiple strikeouts.
- Ryan Pressly secured his 15th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth, extending his scoreless streak to 12 games.
- Bryan Abreu gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Los Angeles Angels – Although he let the “place” runner score on Mitch Garver’s RBI double, after issuing an intentional walk (Cal Raleigh), Hans Crouse induced consecutive strikeouts in the top of the tenth and collected his second win on a walk-off home run in the bottom of the frame.
- Carlos Estévez tossed a scoreless ninth, giving up a one-out single and striking out two, keeping the game tied. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (35.3 SwStr%).
- Luis García navigated around two hits for a scoreless eighth.
- Ben Joyce fired a scoreless seventh, hitting a batter (Luke Raley) and recorded a strikeout. He also threw the season’s fastest pitch at 104.5 m.p.h. in this sequence. He’s been scoreless over his last 10 appearances, spanning 13.1 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Ben Joyce
New York Yankees – Nailing down his 21st save, Clay Holmes worked a scoreless ninth and recorded a strikeout. He hit Heston Kjerstad in the helmet with a pitch, precipitating a benches-clearing shoving match. Holmes threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s converted consecutive saves with a clean appearance in each.
- Luke Weaver secured his 13th hold with a clean eighth.
- Tommy Kahnle notched his fifth hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Tommy Kahnle
Oakland A’s – Closing a four-run win in Philadelphia, Mason Miller navigated around a one-out single and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth. He threw 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in eight of his last nine games and recorded multiple strikeouts in his last five.
- Lucas Erceg stranded a runner and allowed a hit during a scoreless one-third of the eighth.
- T.J. McFarland allowed a walk and struck out two in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Scott Alexander notched his fifth hold with a clean seventh.
- Osvaldo Bido collected his first win, logging three scoreless innings. He gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Scott Alexander
Seattle Mariners – With a one-run lead in the bottom of the tenth, Austin Voth suffered his third loss and first blown save, allowing Willie Calhoun’s two-run, walk-off home run.
- Andrés Muñoz navigated around two walks and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied. He threw 17 pitches (7 strikes – 41.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
- Ryne Stanek retired the side and struck out two in a clean eighth.
- Gregory Santos worked a scoreless seventh, issuing a walk and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Gregory Santos
Tampa Bay Rays – Slamming the door on his fourth save, Jason Adam preserved a combined shutout while striking out the side against Cleveland. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). Amidst an 11-game scoreless streak, Adam has recorded 14 strikeouts against three walks with a 0.42 WHIP over his last 12 innings.
- Colin Poche retired the side and recorded two strikeouts for his 11th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Toronto Blue Jays – Entering a tied game in the bottom of the ninth, Chad Green struggled with his command and suffered his second loss. His outing began with Corbin Carroll drawing a lead-off walk, a leverage mortal sin. Green issued Ketel Marte a one-out walk and, after a double steal, intentionally walked Christian Walker, then gave up the walk-off run on a sacrifice fly. He threw 18 pitches (7 strikes – 38.9 Strike%) without inducing a whiff.
- Trevor Richards was tagged with his third blown save, giving up a hit, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out one in the eighth.
- Brendon Little retired the side in the seventh for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Chad Green | Trevor Richards | Nate Pearson
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Taking over a tied game in the top of the ninth, Justin Martinez retired the side against Toronto’s 5-6-7 lineup pocket and recorded a strikeout. He collected his fourth win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s allowed two unearned runs over his last five appearances with nine strikeouts against zero walks across eight innings.
- Bryce Jarvis gave up three hits and an earned run in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson
Chicago Cubs – Summoned with two runners on and the tying run in the on-deck circle, Héctor Neris induced a lineout, issued a walk, and recorded a game-ending strikeout for his 13th save, stranding both inherited runners. He threw 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s converted his last three save opportunities and been scoreless over his last seven appearances with 11 strikeouts against three walks.
- Hunter Bigge could not preserve the combined shutout, allowing a hit, an earned run, and two walks during one-third of the ninth.
- Mark Leiter Jr. retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Porter Hodge
Los Angeles Dodgers – Hanging for his fourth save, Daniel Hudson navigated around two walks with two strikeouts and a game-ending flyout, preserving a one-run win. He threw 25 pitches (40 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (16 SwStr%).
- Michael Peterson collected his third win, tossing a scoreless eighth. He issued a walk and recorded a strikeout.
- Blake Treinen gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh.
- Evan Philips made his first appearance since July 6 in the sixth inning. He allowed a single during a scoreless outing with his team down one.
- Yohan Ramírez logged 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Alex Vesia
New York Mets – With a one-run lead, Edwin Díaz hung on for his tenth save. He issued consecutive walks with two outs before producing a game-ending strikeout for Ezequiel Tovar. He threw 25 pitches (52 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (16 SwStr%). He extended his scoreless streak to eight games while converting five of six save chances.
- Phil Maton notched his tenth hold despite letting an inherited runner score on a Brenton Doyle home run, putting an earned run on his ledger during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Jake Diekman gave up two hits, including a solo home run, and two earned runs in one-third of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Dedniel Núñez | Phil Maton
Pittsburgh Pirates – Back from the injured list and right into a save situation, David Bednar retired the side while converting his 16th straight save and 17th of the season. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff while recording one strikeout. This marks his first appearance since June 19 and his third consecutive scoreless save.
- Colin Holderman navigated around a hit and a walk with an inning-ending double-play grounder for his 15th hold.
- Carmen Mlodzinski logged two clean frames and struck out two for his third hold.
Updated Hierarchy: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman
Washington Nationals – Rebounding from a rough non-save appearance on Thursday, Kyle Finnegan secured his 24th save with a clean ninth and recorded two strikeouts in a win over Milwaukee. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This snapped a two-game stretch of allowing at least a run.
- Hunter Harvey notched his 26th hold with a clean eighth and two strikeouts. He’s now tied for the major league lead in holds.
- Derek Law issued a walk during a scoreless seventh and recorded his ninth hold.
- Robert Garcia collected his first win. He stranded two runners in the fifth and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Robert Garcia
Vulture Save Options for Saturday, July 13
- Tayler Scott (HOU): With Hader, Pressly, and Abreu all having pitched the two previous days, Scott is atop the hierarchy for the save chance today.
- Nate Pearson (TOR): Green has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Porter Hodge (CHC): In the event of a sweep, he could garner a vulture save in Game 2.
- Ryan Fernandez (STL): If the Cardinals can secure a sweep, he could be the preferred save choice in Game 2.
Vulture Save Option for Sunday, July 14
- Dedniel Núñez (NYM): If Edwin Díaz pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances.
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.
Statistical Credits:
