Sunday’s 16-game slate featured 12 games decided by two runs or fewer, two walk-offs, two shutouts, and a doubleheader sweep by Boston over Minnesota. Relievers recorded nine wins and 11 saves. After its sweep, the Red Sox announced Kenley Jansen would be placed on the 15-day injured list, ending his season and perhaps his time with the team, with lingering shoulder soreness. Our condensed game recaps cover this update and Sunday’s high-leverage events.
Closer CliffsNotes
Justin Martinez (ARI) was called upon with two runners on and two outs at the bottom of the eighth. However, he let both score, then suffered his sixth loss and a second blown save, giving up three hits and an earned run on his ledger. This ended his three-game scoreless streak, and he has not secured a save since September 3. Joe Mantiply was credited with his 16th hold, allowing two hits, three earned runs, and a walk over two-thirds of the eighth. Ryan Thompson gave up three hits and two earned runs in the seventh.
- Updated Hierarchy: *A.J. Puk | *Justin Martinez | Kevin Ginkel
- *= closer-by-committee
Raisel Iglesias (ATL) made his seventh multi-inning appearance. He allowed two hits and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a one-run win for his 32nd save. He threw 28 pitches (22 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (25 SwStr%). In his multiple-inning outings, he’s recorded five wins and this save.
- Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | Pierce Johnson
Kenley Jansen (BOS) retired the side and recorded a strikeout facing the Twins’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket, finishing a seven-run win in Game 1. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) while extending his scoreless streak to six. After a sweep, it was announced he would be placed on the 15-day injured list with lingering shoulder issues, ending his season.
- Updated Hierarchy: *Chris Martin | *Justin Slaten | Lucas Sims
- *= closer-by-committee
Fraser Ellard (CHW) was summoned with a runner on and no outs at the top of the eighth. He suffered his third loss and a first blown save. Before his removal, he allowed two hits, including a game-tying RBI double by Luis Arraez, a go-ahead sacrifice fly by Jurickson Profar, and a solo home run by Fernando Tatis Jr. Ellard finished with two hits and two earned runs over two-thirds of the eighth. Gus Varland retired his only batter, ending the eighth.
- Hierarchy remains: Justin Anderson | Fraser Ellard | Prelander Berroa
Seth Halvorsen (COL) suffered his first loss and a first blown save, allowing consecutive home runs by Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. Angel Chivilli issued two walks during a scoreless eighth for his seventh hold.
- Hierarchy remains: *Seth Halvorsen | *Angel Chivilli | *Victor Vodnik
- *= closer-by-committee
Jason Foley (DET) retired the side and recorded one strikeout for his 26th save, finishing a one-run win in Baltimore. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.2 SwStr%). Since August 15, he’s appeared in 18 games, scoreless in 15, while converting 11 of 12 save chances with 13 strikeouts against five walks.
- Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Beau Brieske
- *= closer-by-committee
Josh Hader (HOU) not only had his five-game scoreless streak snapped, but he tied his season-high, giving up four earned runs en route to his eighth loss and a fourth blown save. He gave up three hits and two walks during his one-third of the ninth. Bryan King stranded a runner and retired both batters, one via strikeout, finishing the inning.
- Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Guillo Zuñiga (LAA) was called upon with two runners on and two outs. He secured his second save, recording a game-ending strikeout against Jeremy Peña. José Quijada gets credit for his sixth hold. He opened the ninth with a three-run lead and registered two quick outs. However, he gave up a two-out walk and three straight singles, scoring two runs before being removed. Brock Burke collected his second win, giving up a hit, scoring an inherited runner, and recording two outs in the eighth.
- Updated Hierarchy: *José Quijada | *Guillo Zuñiga | Brock Burke
- *= closer-by-committee
Blake Treinen (LAD) collected his seventh win after striking out the side at the top of the ninth with his team down one. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Stirke%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He’s racked up 13 consecutive scoreless outings since August 24 with 16 strikeouts against one walk.
- Hierarchy remains: *Michael Kopech | *Evan Phillips | Blake Treinen
- *= closer-by-committee
Declan Cronin (MIA) suffered his fourth loss, allowing three hits and an earned run while striking out two in the seventh. Anthony Bender worked a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one. Jesús Tinoco fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout facing Atlanta’s 1-2-3 hitters. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in five of six outings this month with two saves.
- Hierarchy remains: Jesús Tinoco | Declan Cronin | Anthony Bender
Devin Williams (MIL) navigated around a lead-off walk for a scoreless ninth while recording two strikeouts for his 13th save, capping a come-from-behind win after trailing by eight runs. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless over his last 11 appearances since August 28, converting eight saves and recording 21 strikeouts against five walks. Jared Koenig gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk but collected his ninth win.
- Hierarchy remains: Devin Williams | Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps
Edwin Díaz (NYM) recorded his first two-inning save since August 4, 2021, and the second of his career. He worked around a hit and two walks while striking out four against the Phillies for his 20th save. He threw 30 pitches (18 strikes – 60 Strike%) and produced six whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in 12 of his past 13 appearances, converting all six save chances and racking up 25 strikeouts against three walks across 13.1 innings. José Buttó fired a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts for his fourth hold. Phil Maton collected his third win, tossing two clean frames between the fifth and sixth innings.
- Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | José Buttó
Luke Weaver (NYY) entered with two runners on and one out at the bottom of the eighth. He retired all five batters faced, two via strikeout, while securing his fourth save. He threw 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). Since September 6, through seven appearances, he’s given up one unearned run while converting all four save chances with 22 strikeouts versus three walks across ten innings.
- Hierarchy remains: Luke Weaver | Tommy Kahnle | Ian Hamilton
Aroldis Chapman (PIT) nailed down his 11th save, preserving a combined shutout. He fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s converted five straight saves and been scoreless in his last three.
- Hierarchy Remins: Aroldis Chapman | Dennis Santana | David Bednar
Andrés Muñoz (SEA) took over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth. He recorded two quick outs, then allowed a single by Leody Taveras, followed by a stolen base and a walk-off Marcus Semien RBI single, resulting in his seventh loss. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). This snapped his five-game scoreless streak.
- Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Collin Snider | Troy Taylor
Robert Suarez (SD) recorded his 34th save, allowing a two-out Andrew Vaughn single and striking out two in a scoreless ninth. Suarez threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). His performances this week may determine his role in the playoffs. Jeremiah Estrada collected his sixth win, retiring the side and recording two strikeouts in the eighth, ahead of his team’s three-run outburst in the bottom of the inning.
- Hierarchy remains: *Robert Suarez | *Tanner Scott | Jason Adam
- *= closer-by-committee
Ryan Walker (SF) shut the door on his ninth save. He worked around a lead-off hit batter by retiring the next three hitters, two via strikeout. He preserved a combined shutout, throwing 14 pitches (64.2 Strike%) and getting one whiff. Since his first save on August 10, he’s been scoreless in 13 of 15 appearances, converting all nine save opportunities with 29 strikeouts versus four walks over 17.2 innings.
- Hierarchy remains: Ryan Walker | Tyler Rogers | Camilo Doval
Ryan Helsley (STL) secured his MLB-leading 47th save. He retired the side during a one-run win over the Guardians. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. His next save will tie the all-time franchise record for saves, and he produced his 23rd clean save, a new team record. Andrew Kittredge notched his 36th hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Edwin Uceta (TB) provided a white-knuckle ride while recording his fourth save. His outing began with a lead-off walk, a strikeout, a double, and Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s RBI single. With one out, Uceta bore down, inducing a pop-out and a game-ending groundout. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). Hunter Bigge stranded two runners while striking out his only batter in the eighth, notching his first hold.
- Hierarchy remains: *Edwin Uceta | *Garrett Cleavinger | *Hunter Bigge
- *= closer-by-committee
Kirby Yates (TEX) fired a clean top of the ninth, then collected his seventh win on a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This extended his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he’s recorded two wins and converted all six save chances with ten strikeouts against four walks.
- Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
Génesis Cabrera (TOR) was tagged with his third loss, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the seventh. Zach Pop suffered his third blown save, letting an inherited runner run score, giving up Jonathan Aranda’s two-run home run.
- Hierarchy remains: Chad Green | Erik Swanson | Génesis Cabrera
Vulture Save Options for Monday, September 23
- A.J. Puk (ARI): Martinez threw 22 pitches during a loss and has appeared four times in the previous five days.
- Ryan Pressly (HOU): Hader has appeared in three of the past four days and threw 22 pitches yesterday.
- Chris Martin (BOS): With Jansen on the injured list, Alex Cora said Martin and Justin Slaten will be considered for save chances over the last six games.
Vulture Save Stash for Tuesday, September 24
- Victor Vodnik (COL): Coming off a blown save on Sunday by Halvorsen, the team may call upon Vodnik for the next save chance.
- Trent Thornton (SEA): If Muñoz pitches tonight, it will be consecutive outings.
- Camilo Doval (SF): Walker’s appearance tonight would mark back-to-back games.
Three Takeaways
Diamondbacks hierarchy: Although the team has only three saves in September, including a three-inning one by Jordan Montgomery, our hierarchy has undergone an overhaul based on recent results for the last six games of the season. A.J. Puk secured the most recent save and has been terrific since being acquired. In fact, he’s often overlooked when speaking about the impact players have made since the trade deadline. Through 27 appearances with Arizona, he’s been scoreless in 26 with 41 strikeouts against four walks across 25 innings. When looking at Win Probability Added for him and his teammates, it’s clear that he’s the best reliever currently on the roster:
Among qualified relievers in the second half, Puk ranks as follows:
- 41 K-BB% – First
- 0.59 WHIP – Second
- 20.5 Swinging Strike Percentage – Fourth
- 62 percent contact rate allowed – Eighth
He may not get full run as the closer this week, but he’s the team’s best option. Those in deeper formats may get an ancillary save this week from Kevin Ginkel. Stay tuned.
Detroit’s surge: Since the All-Star break, only three teams have produced a higher Win Probability Added than the Tigers’ bullpen: Cleveland, Tampa Bay, and Milwaukee. In September, Detroit leads all teams in WPA and has recorded ten wins and ten saves. Jason Foley has converted seven of eight save chances, Tyler Holton has two wins, two saves, and two holds plus operated as the “opener” in three contests. Will Vest has chipped in with a save, five holds, and one blown save. Beau Brieske turned in two strong innings at Baltimore, earning a win and has appeared as the “opener” in four games this month. It’s been a fluid leverage ladder at times with A.J. Hinch pulling the right strings, and it may result in a postseason berth:
Boston’s saves: With Kenley Jansen on the injured list, will the team turn to Chris Martin or Justin Slaten? One can make the case for finding out how the rookie handles save opportunities since Martin will be an unrestricted free agent with Jansen at the end of the season. Slaten has recorded a win, three holds, and a blown save since the All-Star break with 12 strikeouts versus zero walks (27.9 K-BB%) and a 0.94 WHIP across 10.2 innings. He has allowed two home runs, but his 1.88 SIERA is almost identical to Martin’s 1.99 in the second half. There’s only six games, so the window is short, here’s hoping Alex Cora gives the rookie at least one chance as an audition for 2025.
Those seeking full game recaps should surf the team pages; they’ve all been updated with Sunday’s results.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
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