Baseball Reference identifies a blowout as a game decided by five or more runs. Saturday’s slate featured six such contests, though two provided a save. Relievers only recorded two wins and seven saves, though four were of the ancillary variety. Our condensed recaps cover the high-leverage events of interest and some relievers getting in work in yesterday’s action.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Paul Sewald (ARI) tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth in an eventual loss. He allowed a hit and hit a batter while recording all three outs via strikeout. He’s been scoreless through six outings in August with eight strikeouts against two walks.
- Jorge López (CHC) gave up Addison Barger’s lead-off home run in the top of the ninth, then struck out Toronto’s 1-2-3 hitters, including a game-ending strikeout of Vlad Guerrero Jr. for his third save, first as a Cub. López had his 14-game scoreless streak snapped, but he’s produced a 23:7 K:BB since June 28.
- Alexis Díaz (CIN) tossed a scoreless top of the seventh during a lopsided loss, allowing a hit and striking out one against the Royals’ 5-6-7-8 batters. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven with seven strikeouts against two walks over 6.2 innings.
- Jason Foley (DET) completed a combined shutout with a scoreless ninth. He navigated around Aaron Judge’s leadoff double and a walk while striking out one in a non-save appearance.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA) worked a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded a strikeout in a shutout loss against the Mets. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless over his last four appearances but has not received a save chance on August 7.
- Cole Sands (MIN) notched his fourth save with a clean bottom of the ninth and striking out one, finishing a three-run win against Texas.
- Devin Williams (MIL) recorded his fourth save with a clean top of the ninth, preserving a one-run win against Cleveland’s 2-3-4 lineup pocket on ten pitches.
- Michel Otañez (OAK) navigated around a two-out infield single and a walk for a scoreless ninth while recording his first major league save. He threw 26 pitches (17 strikes – 65.4 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (23.1 SwStr%) with three strikeouts, completing the combined shutout of the Giants.
- David Bednar (PIT) inherited a bases-loaded with no-out situation in the top of the ninth and retired three straight batters, two via strikeout, for his 22nd save. He only threw nine pitches and produced three whiffs, snapping his six-game streak of allowing at least a run.
- Ryan Helsley (STL) nailed down his MLB-leading 38th save with a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout during a two-run win over the Dodgers. He’s registered a save in five straight outings.
- Richard Lovelady (TBR) took over a bases-loaded situation in the top of the eighth with two outs and stymied the rally. He returned for the ninth and recorded his first save, throwing 1.1 clean frames in a five-run win over Arizona. He’s the ninth pitcher with a save for the Rays this season.
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, August 18
- Aroldis Chapman (PIT): Bednar has appeared in two straight games.
- Josh Winckowski (BOS): Jansen, Martin, and Sims have pitched the previous two games.
Three Takeaways
- Sewald and velocity: During his team’s eventual loss, Paul Sewald recorded his sixth scoreless appearance in August. He’s collected a win this month but has not received a save opportunity since July 31. His manager has not closed the door for the veteran to get save chances through the end of the season, but with 38 games remaining, the window of opportunity continues to shrink. Fantasy managers should monitor his velocity closely, Justin Martinez’s walk rate, and usage patterns over the next two weeks. Sewald has seen a slight uptick in recent outings, and he admitted the oblique injury earlier this season affected his results. Mining his results from Statcast since his arrival in Arizona, here are Sewald’s splits when he throws his four-seam fastball above and below 92 m.p.h. since August 5, 2023:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/EpkpW/6/
- Cubs hierarchy tweak: Although Porter Hodge has performed well in a set-up capacity, with Héctor Neris unavailable after throwing 33 pitches on Friday, Craig Counsell called upon Jorge López for the save. He responded with his third of the season and first as a Cub after allowing a lead-off home run by striking out the first three hitters in Toronto’s lineup, including a game-ending one of Vlad Guerrero Jr. Neris remains atop our hierarchy. If his past struggles resurface, it could open the door for more López save chances.
- A vulture in Sands: Usage patterns and performance dictate value in head-to-head leagues. Hitting on the right stream option can swing a week. Over his last 10 appearances, Cole Sands has recorded two wins and two saves with 12 strikeouts against one walk and a 0.975 WHIP across 12.1 innings since July 22. He’s not perfect and not assured this productivity level will continue, but with the Twins pushing for the division and a spot in the playoffs, he may be a sneaky streamer moving forward.
American League – Game Recaps for August 17
Minnesota Twins – Providing his teammates with much-needed rest, Cole Sands capped his team’s comeback rally by securing his fourth save, preserving a three-run win in Texas. He retired the side and recorded a strikeout on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
- Jorge Alcala notched his 15th hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one against the Rangers’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket.
- Ronny Henriquez logged two scoreless frames, scattered two hits, and recorded a strikeout while collecting his first win.
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Jorge Alcala
Oakland A’s – After recording two strikeouts in the top of the ninth, Michel Otañez allowed an infield single and a walk before producing a game-ending strikeout of Casey Schmitt for his first career save. He threw 26 pitches (17 strikes – 65.4 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (23.1 SwStr%) while completing the combined shutout.
- T.J. McFarland stranded a runner and retired both batters in the eighth for his 14th hold.
- Grant Holman made his major league debut by stranding two runners in the seventh and gave up a hit during two-thirds scoreless while recording his first hold.
- Scott Alexander worked two-thirds scoreless in the seventh despite yielding a hit and a walk.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Mason Miller | Tyler Ferguson | Michel Otañez
National League – Game Recaps for August 17
Chicago Cubs – Pitching through the rain, Jorge López lost his 14-game scoreless streak, allowing Addison Barger’s lead-off home run in the top of the ninth. He recovered with consecutive strikeouts of George Springer, Daulton Varsho, and Vlad Guerrero Jr. for his first save as a Cub and his third of the season. López threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He’s been moving up the leverage ladder and may push Héctor Neris aside for more save chances.
- Porter Hodge notched his ninth hold, issuing two walks and recording two strikeouts over 1.2 scoreless innings.
- Drew Smyly gave up three hits and an earned run in one-third of the seventh, getting credit for his seventh hold.
- Julian Merryweather worked a scoreless sixth for his second hold.
- Tyson MIiler secured his ninth hold with a scoreless fifth. Nate Pearson collected his second win with two scoreless innings, navigating around a hit and two walks while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Héctor Neris | Jorge López | Porter Hodge
Milwaukee Brewers – Shutting the door on his fourth save, Devin Williams fired a clean top of the ninth against the Guardians’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket. He threw 10 pitches (50 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s converted a save in his last four outings, recording six strikeouts while retiring all 12 batters.
- Jared Koenig secured his sixth hold with a clean eighth and struck out the side.
- Joel Payamps worked a clean seventh and recorded a strikeout for his 14th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Devin Williams | Joel Payamps | Bryan Hudson
Pittsburgh Pirates – Summoned with the bases loaded and no outs, David Bednar inherited a save situation with a five-run lead. He induced a shallow flyout by Victor Robles, then produced consecutive Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez strikeouts, stranding all three runners and securing his 22nd save. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). His split finger had much better movement in this outing. This snapped his six-game streak of allowing at least a run, and he retired five of his last six batters via strikeout.
- Domingo Germán created the mess, issuing a walk and hitting two batters, prompting his removal in the top of the ninth.
- Dennis Santana logged two scoreless frames and recorded three strikeouts for his second hold.
- Kyle Nicolas retired his only batter on a strikeout and notched his sixth hold in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Kyle Nicolas
St. Louis Cardinals – Retaking the major league lead with his 38th save, Ryan Helsley fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, finishing a two-run win against the Dodgers. He only needed six pitches (83.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%) while facing the 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He’s converted a save in his last five appearances and been scoreless in four.
- JoJo Romero secured his 29th hold, retiring the side in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
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