Saturday featured a 16-game slate with a doubleheader and two extra-inning contests. It also yielded nine wins by relievers (56.3 percent) and seven saves, including the first of Dedniel Núñez‘s career. It also featured the second trade of the season involving a reliever:
Kansas City Royals – After a shutout loss in Boston, the team announced a trade to shore up its bullpen, adding Hunter Harvey for third base prospect Cayden Wallace and its Competitive Balance A pick in this year’s draft. While many may presume this will provide Harvey with save chances, he and James McArthur have very similar statistics since the second half of last year through this season:
- James McArthur last 56.2 IP: 5-3 record, 21 saves in 25 chances, three holds, 50:8 K:BB (18.7 K-BB percentage), 3.02 ERA, 2.96 SIERA, 1.08 WHIP, 12.4 swinging strike percentage, 75.4 percent contact rate allowed
- Hunter Harvey’s last 66.1 IP: 3-4 record, 2 saves in four chances, 34 holds, 73:13 K:BB (22.3 K-BB percentage), 3.53 ERA, 2.86 SIERA, 1.09 WHIP, 12.6 swinging strike percentage, 76 percent contact rate allowed
Until the team or the manager provides contrary information, fantasy managers should plan on McArthur remaining the Royals’ closer. Still, if there’s an update regarding a change, this will change our hierarchy accordingly. “The General” was recalled on September 1 last year, and in the games since, he’s recorded the fifth most saves in the American League (21), trailing Emmanuel Clase (36), Clay Holmes (29), Pete Fairbanks (23), and Craig Kimbrel (23).
For now:
Updated Hierarchy: James McArthur | Hunter Harvey | John Schreiber
During an eventual loss in Detroit, the Dodgers bullpen allowed five runs in the bottom of the ninth, including a game-tying home run allowed by Evan Phillips, resulting in his second blown save, which will be one of our topics in today’s takeaways.
Three Takeaways
- Phillips struggles vs. LHH continue in Motown: Called into the ninth inning with a runner on and no outs, Evan Phillips could not close out the three-run lead. He let an inherited runner score on Matt Vierling’s RBI double, then allowed a game-tying home run by left-handed hitting Colt Keith. With his first half likely in the books, Phillips has a 1.68 WHIP while facing left-handed batters this season. They own a .298 batting average against him with a .961 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) and a .409 weighted on-base average (wOBA). He’s struggling with his cutter and if this persists, it may result in the team adding a veteran reliever capable of closing before the trade deadline:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/xOAUj/1/
- Is Durán’s velo back? Not only did Jhoan Durán lock down his 15th save in San Francisco, but he retired the side and recorded a strikeout with his best velocity of the season:
- An updated timeline for Devin Williams: Although his first rehab outing did not go as planned, Wisconsin’s game was suspended during the second inning; Sophia Minnaert did provide how the team may plan on getting him ready for his season debut in the majors:
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Cleveland Guardians – Capping his team’s late rally, Emmanuel Clase secured his American League-leading 29th save with a scoreless ninth, working around a one-out single. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) without a whiff. Since May 20, he’s converted 16 consecutive saves while posting a 15:3 K:BB over 21 innings.
- Hunter Gaddis navigated around two hits for a scoreless eighth and his 19th hold.
- Nick Sandlin collected his sixth win, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh ahead of his team’s two-run rally for the lead in the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Scott Barlow
Detroit Tigers – After navigating around a walk and a hit batter with an inning-ending double-play groundout, Will Vest collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff during his scoreless appearance.
- Shelby Miller retired the side in the ninth.
- Andrew Chafin allowed a hit, an earned run, and walked one in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – Locking down his 17th save, Carlos Estévez retired the side against Seattle and recorded a strikeout on seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless over his last 15 outings since May 28, converting all ten save chances with 14 strikeouts against one walk.
- Luis García notched his tenth hold, striking out one in a clean eighth.
- Ben Joyce secured his third hold, working around a lead-off double with three strikeouts. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). Since introducing his “splinker” on June 14, he’s posted 11 scoreless appearances with 15 strikeouts versus five walks across 14.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Ben Joyce
Minnesota Twins – Shutting the door on his 15th save, Jhoan Durán fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout in San Francisco. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s converted his last four saves during an eight-game scoreless streak with eight strikeouts versus two walks.
- Griffin Jax notched his 15th hold, allowing a two-out triple and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Jorge Alcala secured his 11th hold while retiring the side in the seventh.
- Cole Sands collected his fourth win, logging 1.2 clean frames and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Jorge Alcala
Texas Rangers – Handed a one-run lead in the bottom of the tenth, Kirby Yates recorded his 15th save, issuing a walk (intentional – Yordan Alvarez) and striking out one. He threw five pitches, all strikes, and induced one whiff. He’s converted a save in four straight appearances and been scoreless in his last eight with 13 strikeouts against two walks.
- David Robertson collected his third win, logging two scoreless frames. He allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts on 30 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs. He’s riding a nine-game scoreless streak spanning 8.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
National League
Chicago Cubs – Turning in a much-needed bounce-back outing in Game 1, Hunter Bigge retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
- In Game 2, Porter Hodge suffered his first loss and first blown save, allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two over his 1.2 innings.
- Mark Leiter Jr. retired all four batters and recorded three strikeouts for his 11th hold.
- Tyson Miller fired a clean fifth, striking out one and securing his fifth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Porter Hodge
Cincinnati Reds – Earning a one-out win, Sam Moll was summoned with two runners on and two outs in the top of the fifth. He recorded a strikeout against Jazz Chisolm Jr. on five pitches.
- Fernando Cruz was credited with his 21st hold despite allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz | Sam Moll
Los Angeles Dodgers – With the score tied in the bottom of the tenth, Yohan Ramírez suffered his fourth loss, recording an out and giving up Gio Urshela’s walk-off, two-run home run.
- Evan Phillips suffered his second blown save, letting an inherited runner score on a two-out Carson Kelly RBI single, followed by a game-tying two-run home run by Colt Keith. Phillips has allowed a home run in three of his last five appearances, all against left-handed hitters (Joc Pederson, Christian Yelich, and Keith).
- Ricky Vanasco began his outing with a five-run lead at the top of the ninth. He allowed three hits, resulting in three earned runs before his removal.
- Alex Vesia worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Alex Vesia
Milwaukee Brewers – Summoned with two runners on and two outs in the eighth, Trevor Megill quelled the threat with an inning-ending strikeout. However, in the ninth, he allowed a lead-off single by Luis García Jr., recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, and gave up CJ Abrams’ go-ahead, two-run home run, resulting in his second loss and a second blown save. This snapped Megill’s 10-game scoreless streak and his save streak at 12.
- Elvis Peguero notched his ninth hold, allowing two walks and striking out one over 1.1 innings.
- Jakob Junis logged 3.1 innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Trevor Megill | Elvis Peguero | Bryan Hudson
New York Mets – Taking over in the eighth with two runners on, Dedniel Núñez retired all five batters faced. He induced a double play and a pop-out in the eighth, stranding both runners. After his team added three runs in the bottom of the inning, he returned for the ninth and struck out the side for his first career save. He finishes with two clean frames and three strikeouts on 20 pitches (80 Strike%) with three whiffs (15 SwStr%).
- José Buttó collected his fourth win, third as a reliever, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five. He threw 41 pitches (26 strikes – 63.4 Strike%) and generated ten whiffs (24.4 SwStr%). He’s recorded three wins and a save through four games as a reliever.
Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Dedniel Núñez | Phil Maton
Philadelphia Phillies – Entering with a seven-run cushion, José Alvarado struggled against Oakland. He gave up a one-out single, followed by a two-out RBI double by Miguel Andujar, issued consecutive walks loading the bases, then bore down, producing a game-ending strikeout against Brent Rooker. Alvarado threw 27 pitches (11 strikes – 40.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs. He’s allowed at least a run in three of his last four games while recording four walks against two strikeouts.
- Jeff Hoffman secured his 12th hold, issuing a walk and striking out three in a scoreless eighth.
- Gregory Soto stranded two runners while striking out his only batter in the eighth for his sixth hold.
- Orion Kerkering gave up two hits and recorded two strikeouts in the seventh, getting credit for his eight hold.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer
Pittsburgh Pirates – In ascending order of appearance, Kyle Nicolas stranded a runner in the sixth and tossed 1.1 clean frames while striking out one. He collected his first win because his teammates scored two runs in the top of the seventh.
- Aroldis Chapman was credited with his 14th hold despite allowing a triple and a fielder’s choice RBI groundout while striking out one in the eighth.
- Dennis Santana finished the four-run win with a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman
St. Louis Cardinals – Closing out a sweep, Ryan Helsley held on for his MLB-leading 32nd save in Game 2. He worked around a one-out single by Seiya Suzuki, who reached third on a wild pitch and a groundout, with a game-ending strikeout of Christopher Morel. Helsley threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This marked his first outing since his blown save on July 5.
- JoJo Romero collected his fourth win despite giving up a hit and a walk over two-thirds of the eighth.
- Andrew Kittredge logged 1.1 clean frames, striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Preserving a one-run win, Kyle Finnegan secured his 25th save with a scoreless ninth. He issued a walk while throwing 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) with two whiffs in his outing. He’s appeared in three straight contests and recorded two saves.
- Derek Law collected his fifth win, tossing a clean bottom of the eighth.
- Dylan Floro logged two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two.
- Jacob Barnes worked 2.2 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out four.
Updated Hierarchy: Kyle Finnegan | Robert Garcia | Derek Law
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, July 14
- Dodgers: It may be a match-up-based approach with Daniel Hudson or Alex Vesia receiving the save chance. Plan on Vesia going against the late-inning lineup pocket with Riley Greene.
- Angels: Will be running a bullpen game, but Estévez, García, and Joyce have all pitched in back-to-back games, leaving Hans Crouse as a potential wild card in this contest.
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