Monkey Bytes: July 30

Monday’s slate featured 12 games, including a doubleheader, but only yielded four reliever wins and four saves. Realizing most fantasy managers are more concerned about the Trade Deadline, the recaps will be quick, and a cheat sheet will be included in today’s post instead of Three Takeaways.

Closer CliffsNotes

  • Joe Mantiply (ARI) garnered his fifth win after tossing a scoreless top of the ninth with his team down by four courtesy of a five-run, walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning.
  • Craig Kimbrel (BAL) made a low-leverage appearance in Game 2’s loss. He recorded a strikeout and issued George Springer a walk, followed by a stolen base and a two-out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. RBI double. Kimbrel finished with a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one on 21 pitches (10 strikes – 47.6 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s given up at least a run in three straight games and four of his last five.
  • John Brebbia (CHW) took over with a runner on and a one-run lead in the eighth but hit a batter, issued a walk, and served up a go-ahead Bobby Witt Jr. grand slam. This resulted in Brebbia’s sixth loss and three earned runs during his one-third of an inning. The White Sox have lost 14 straight; this was the team’s 27th blown save.
  • Josh Hader (HOU) entered a tied game in the top of the ninth and suffered his sixth loss. He issued Ke’Bryan Hayes a lead-off walk, balked him to second, recorded a strikeout, issued Connor Joe a walk, and induced a flyout. Following a double steal, Hader left a sinker in the middle of the plate, resulting in a Michael A. Taylor go-ahead three-run home run. After giving up three home runs in 2023, he’s allowed six home runs on his sinker this year.
  • James McArthur (KCR) recorded his 18th save, capping a comeback win over the White Sox. He threw 10 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff against the 9-1-2 lineup pocket. This snapped a three-game stretch of allowing at least a run, and he converted four of five save chances in July with a 1.72 WHIP through 8.2 innings.
  • Hoby Milner (MIL) allowed a walk and recorded a strikeout while stranding the inherited runner. He collected his fourth win courtesy of a go-ahead Willy Adames home run in the bottom of the inning.
  • José Buttó (NYM) logged three innings, giving up four hits, including Ryan Jeffers’ solo home run in the ninth for his only earned run and a walk while striking out two en route to his second save. He threw 44 pitches (27 strikes – 61.4 Strike%) and produced seven whiffs (15.9 SwStr%). As a reliever, he’s recorded three wins and two saves through eight appearances with 19 strikeouts against six walks over 16.2 innings since July 2.
  • David Bednar (PIT) navigated around two hits, an earned run, and two walks for his 19th save, finishing a comeback rally over the Astros on the road. With a three-run lead, he recorded a flyout, gave up a single, issued a walk, and allowed a Jose Altuve single, loading the bases. After retiring Alex Bregman, Bednar issued Yordan Alvarez an unintentional “intentional” walk on five pitches, forcing in a run before inducing a game-ending pop-out by Yainer Diaz. Aroldis Chapman collected his fourth win, tossing a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
  • Kirby Yates (TEX) fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded one strikeout, preserving a three-run win in St. Louis for his 19th save. He threw 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s converted all eight save chances in July and logged 11 appearances with 15 strikeouts against four walks through 10 innings.
  • Kyle Finnegan (WSH) suffered his fifth loss. His outing began with a missed called third strike against Alek Thomas and devolved into five earned runs on five hits, including two home runs over one-third of an inning.

Trade Deadline Primer

Most “Active” Teams Per Ken Rosenthal (The Athletic)

*In alphabetical order

  • Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Baltimore Orioles
  • Boston Red Sox
  • New York Mets
  • New York Yankees
  • San Diego Padres

Still in the mix for relievers

  • Houston Astros
  • Kansas City Royals
  • Philadelphia Phillies
  • St. Louis Cardinals

Closers in Trade Talks (Using The Athletic and MLB.com reports)

  • Tanner Scott (MIA)
  • Kyle Finnegan (WSH)
  • Pete Fairbanks (TBR)
  • Chad Green (TOR)

Potential Set-up Relievers on the Move (by team)

Chicago Cubs: Héctor Neris, Mark Leiter Jr.

Chicago White Sox: John Brebbia

Cincinnati Reds: Nick Martinez, Lucas Sims, Buck Farmer, Justin Wilson

Detroit Tigers: Shelby Miller (team option for 2025), Andrew Chafin (team option for 2025)

Los Angeles Angels: Luis García (reported deal in place by The Athletic)

Miami Marlins: Huascar Brazobán, Anthony Bender, Declan Cronin

Oakland Athletics: Lucas Erceg, Scott Alexander

Tampa Bay: Colin Poche

Washington Nationals: Dylan Floro

Potential Deadline Winners (Upgraded Leverage Role)

Chicago Cubs: Porter Hodge

Los Angeles Angels: Ben Joyce

Miami Marlins: Andrew Nardi, Calvin Faucher, Huascar Brazobán (projected committee when Scott’s moved)

Oakland Athletics: Tyler Ferguson

Tampa Bay: Colin Poche (if not traded too), Garrett Cleavinger, Hunter Bigge, Manuel Rodríguez (projected committee if Fairbanks is move)

Toronto: Zach Pop, Génesis Cabrera (projected committee if Green’s moved)

Washington: Robert Garcia

Potential Deadline Relievers in Decline (Downgraded Leverage Role)

Arizona Diamondbacks: Paul Sewald

Baltimore Orioles: Craig Kimbrel

New York Yankees: Clay Holmes

In less than 12 hours, we will have a much better idea.

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Statistical Credits:

Fangraphs.com

Baseball-Reference.com

Statcast