Tuesday’s full slate provided a bevy of high-leverage events of interest. Relievers recorded five wins and ten saves. Angel Chivilli (COL) and Edwin Uceta (TBR) secured the first saves of their respective major league careers. Also, Porter Hodge received the first save chance after the team waived Héctor Neris earlier in the day. Our condensed recaps cover all of yesterday’s action in the late innings.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Justin Martinez (ARI) secured his fourth save with a clean ninth while recording a strikeout. He closed out a two-run win in Miami and has recorded all his saves since August 5.
- Raisel Iglesias (ATL) shut the door on his 27th save with a clean ninth during a two-run win over the Phillies. This extended his scoreless streak to 13 games.
- Craig Kimbrel (BAL) recorded two outs and one strikeout while finishing a four-run win over the Mets. Yennier Cano did the heavy lifting, retiring all three batters and recording a strikeout across the eighth and ninth innings for his 29th hold.
- Kenley Jansen (BOS) nailed down his 24th save with a clean ninth, preserving a one-run win in Houston. He’s appeared on consecutive days and in four of the last five.
- Porter Hodge (CHC) navigated around a lead-off double by retiring the next three hitters, two via strikeout, for his second save. He’s been scoreless over his last seven outings and has emerged with a save share following his team placing Héctor Neris on waivers.
- Tim Herrin (CLE) collected his fifth win. He worked a scoreless bottom of the 11th, walking and striking out one, ahead of his team’s six-run outburst in the top of the 12th. Emmanuel Clase logged his first two-inning outing of the season. He only allowed a walk while retiring six of seven batters. This marked his longest outing since working 1.2 innings on August 27, 2023.
- Angel Chivilli (COL) notched his first major league save with a scoreless ninth in Washington. He navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one. After the game, manager Bud Black confirmed Victor Vodnik started warming up but stopped with shoulder soreness.
- Kaleb Ort (HOU) suffered his first loss. He allowed Jarren Duran’s go-ahead solo home run in the top of the eighth.
- Ben Joyce (LAA) fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts versus Kansas City’s 9-1-2 hitters, finishing a four-run win.
- Daniel Hudson (LAD) worked a scoreless ninth despite allowing a one-out double, recording his tenth save while finishing a three-run win over Seattle. Joe Kelly collected his first win. He tossed a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk and striking out one.
- Devin Williams (MIL) held on for his fifth save. He gave up a one-out single, followed by a double and an intentional walk, loading the bases. But he bore down with consecutive strikeouts, preserving the one-run win in St. Louis.
- Steven Okert (MIN) had a rough bottom of the eighth in San Diego. He allowed four hits, including Jurickson Profar’s go-ahead three-run home run, and four earned runs, resulting in his second loss and sixth blown save.
- Tim Mayza (NYY) suffered his second loss. At the top of the 12th, he and Michael Tonkin allowed a combined five hits, six runs (five earned), and two walks.
- David Bednar (PIT) fired a clean bottom of the ninth and struck out one, completing a combined shutout in a non-save outing in Texas.
- Robert Suarez (SDP) capped his team’s four-run rally in the bottom of the eighth with a clean ninth. He retired the Twins in order on nine pitches and recorded a strikeout while recording his 29th save.
- Ryan Walker (SFG) locked down his second save with a clean ninth while striking out the side against the White Sox. He’s given up an unearned run during his eight appearances in August, posting 16 strikeouts against two walks and converting both saves across 8.2 innings.
- Andrés Muñoz (SEA) was summoned with a runner on second and one out in the bottom of the seventh. He suffered his fifth blown save, giving up Mookie Betts’ game-tying RBI double. Returning for the eighth, he hit a batter with one out, issued a walk, and gave up Jason Heyward’s go-ahead three-run home run, resulting in his fifth loss. A less-than-optimal 1.1-inning outing Muñoz, giving up three hits, three earned runs, and two walks (one intentional) while striking out two.
- Edwin Uceta (TBR) preserved a 1-0 win in Oakland and recorded his first major league save. He took over in the bottom of the eighth and retired all four batters, one via strikeout on nine pitches. He remains unscored upon in August with a 12:1 K:BB and a 0.29 WHIP across 10.1 innings.
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, August 21
- Jason Adam (SDP): Suarez and Scott have pitched in back-to-back games.
- Chirs Martin (BOS): Jansen has appeared in consecutive games and four of the last five.
- Tyler Kinley (COL): With Vodnik potentially sidelined, Kinley will rise in the hierarchy.
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Clase logged two innings last night, his first multiple-inning appearance since 2023.
- Jordan Hicks (SFG): Walker recorded a dominant save on Tuesday, but he’s thrown 46 pitches over the previous three days.
Vulture Save Stashes for Thursday. August 22
- Jorge López (CHC): If Hodge pitches today, it will be back-to-back appearances.
- Manuel Rodríguez (TBR): If Uceta appears again on Wednesday, it would be consecutive outings.
Three Takeaways
- Uceta receives the first Rays’ save chance: In an article in The Tampa Bay Times, manager Kevin Cash intimated Edwin Uceta and Manuel Rodríguez would receive more prominent leverage roles with Pete Fairbanks potentially out for the remainder of the season. With the top of the lineup approaching, Uceta warmed up and took over in the bottom of the eighth, protecting a 1-0 lead. He retired all four batters faced and recorded a strikeout for his first career save. He remains atop our adjusted hierarchy—just temper expectations since he could be the highest-leveraged reliever, not the closer.
- Hodge secures his second save: Although his ninth began by allowing a lead-off double, Porter Hodge bore down, retiring the next three batters, two on strikeouts, preserving the Cubs’ two-run win over Detroit. This tweet by Meghan Montemurro implied that Hodge and Jorge López may share save chances, which fantasy managers should not ignore. Like Uceta above and Lucas Erceg on Kansas City, Hodge may face the toughest lineup pockets in the late innings, not necessarily be reserved for the ninth inning. It’s great getting new options for saves in August, but remember, roles in these bullpens are still evolving.
- Vodnik’s shoulder: It’s not garnering much attention, but Victor Vodnik stopped warming up for a save chance last night with shoulder soreness. Rookie Angel Chivilli filled in capably with a scoreless ninth for his first save, but those in deeper leagues should monitor this closely. Tyler Kinley has been scoreless in 11 of his last 12 appearances with 14 strikeouts versus three walks and a 0.54 WHIP across 13 innings. He would emerge as the preferred save share if Vodnik needs a stint on the injured list.
Those seeking full game recaps should surf the team pages; they’ve all been updated with Tuesday’s results.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
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