Late-inning rallies highlighted Sunday’s slate, which featured six wins by relievers and 11 saves. Kyle Finnegan saved each game during a sweep of Cincinnati. Evan Phillips‘ struggles continued in a non-save outing against Boston, though he was warming for the save chance before his team scored three in the bottom of the eighth. There has yet to be an announcement about his status with the team, but our hierarchy reflects a shift until he turns in better performances during high-leverage events. Once again, he’s a topic in our takeaways.
Three Takeaways
- Phillips and his role in the near term: Relief pitchers’ production can be volatile, and Evan Phillips has struggled in recent appearances. His manager supported him in this column by Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, suggesting the team is “digging” into his recent results on Saturday. Fantasy managers may not have this luxury, but it’s best to reserve the reliever until answers surface. After going down a rabbit hole this morning, it may be a matter of velocity. Here are his splits-by-pitch at or below a chosen velocity for each, though there’s some overlap when using Statcast:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/NL0fO/1/
- Kenley’s not going to Coors: Those in daily leagues can easily swap out the Red Sox closer from their lineups, but those in weekly formats face a more challenging decision. Because of his heart issue and past results in Colorado, Kenley Jansen will not accompany his team to Coors Field, leaving the team one player short in this series. In recent outings, he’s allowed at least a run in three straight games, including both this weekend against his former franchise.
- Muñoz dominates: In a refreshing development, Andrés Muñoz recorded his 16th save and retired the side via strikeout against Houston, preventing a sweep in their weekend series. While striking out the side, he produced six whiffs. This represented the fifth time he’s recorded at least six whiffs in an outing, but only the second when he’s not retired four or more batters. After his back issue became newsworthy in early June, he’s not produced as many whiffs, but resting during the All-Star break may help him finish the season strong—outings like this help, especially with his team fighting for the division.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Los Angeles Angels – Despite issuing Lawrence Butler a lead-off walk, Carlos Estévez recorded his 18th save with a scoreless ninth, finishing off a come-from-behind win. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He extended his scoreless streak to 16 since May 28, during which he’s converted 11 saves with 14 strikeouts against two walks across 16 innings.
- Luis García was awarded his fourth win. He retired the side in the eighth and recorded a strikeout.
- Ben Joyce struggled in the seventh. He took over with two runners on, letting both score, one on a bases-loaded walk and one on a wild pitch. He remains scoreless over his last 12 appearances but must improve his performance in messy situations.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Ben Joyce
Seattle Mariners – Slamming the door on his 16th save, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side during a two-run win over Houston. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (50 SwStr%). He remains unscored upon through six outings in July and has converted all three save chances.
- Gregory Santos notched his first hold, allowing two hits and an earned run over 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Gregory Santos
Tampa Bay Rays – Hanging on for his 18th save, Pete Fairbanks issued a one-out walk, followed by Juan Soto’s RBI double before bearing down. He retired Aaron Judge (flyout) and Austin Wells (strikeouts), preserving a two-run win in New York. He threw 23 pitches (13 strikes – 56.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s converted his last five save chances but has allowed a run in three.
- Edwin Uceta secured his first hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Jason Adam allowed four hits, including a three-run home run by Aaron Judge, and struck out one in the seventh. This snapped his 12-game scoreless streak.
- Colin Poche notched his 13th hold with a scoreless sixth, striking out one. Manuel Rodríguez secured his third hold with a clean fifth, recording a strikeout.
- Garrett Cleavinger stranded two while retiring both batters in the fourth, one via strikeout, and collected his sixth win.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Texas Rangers – Finishing a one-run win, Kirby Yates fired a clean ninth and recorded two strikeouts for his 17th save. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in nine of his last ten outings, converting seven saves and posting 15 strikeouts versus three walks.
- David Robertson was credited with his 21st hold despite giving up two hits, including Anthony Santander’s two-run home run and a walk while striking out two in the eighth.
- Josh Sborz secured his fifth hold, logging two scoreless frames. He gave up a hit and recorded three strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
Toronto Blue Jays – Summoned with a one-run lead and one out in the top of the eighth, Chad Green retired all five batters he faced while nailing down his seventh save. He preserved the one-run win, throwing 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) without inducing a whiff. He’s been scoreless over his last three outings and has converted all seven save chances.
- Génesis Cabrera secured his fourth hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one across two-thirds of a combined inning outing.
Hierarchy remains: Chad Green | Yimi García | Trevor Richards
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – With the bullpen stretched thin, Justin Martinez took over in the ninth, marking his third straight appearance in this series. He suffered his first blown save, allowing a lead-off double by Nico Hoerner and Seiya Suzuki’s game-tying RBI single. His final line: two hits, one earned run and a walk.
- In the tenth, Joe Mantiply incurred his second loss. He allowed a hit and a walk, departing with the bases loaded and one out. Humberto Castellanos forced in the winning run via a walk-off walk against Hoerner.
- Bryce Jarvis tossed a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Justin Martinez
Chicago Cubs – Entering in the top of the tenth, Héctor Neris stranded the “place” runner despite issuing a walk during a scoreless outing while striking out one. He faced the 5-6-7-8 Arizona hitters and collected his eighth win courtesy of a walk-off in the bottom of the inning. Neris threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff while extending his scoreless streak to eight games (7 IP, 12:4 K:BB).
- Porter Hodge fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts with his team down one.
- Mark Leiter Jr. retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Porter Hodge
Los Angeles Dodgers – Inheriting a bases-loaded situation in the top of the ninth, Daniel Hudson let one runner score on a fielder’s choice groundout, then induced a game-ending flyout for his sixth save. He’s secured a save in his last three appearances and been scoreless through six games in July.
- Evan Phillips struggled in a non-save outing. He allowed three hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one in the top of the ninth. He’s given up multiple runs in three straight outings and at least a run in six of his last eight.
- Anthony Banda notched his fourth hold, working a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Ryan Yarbrough retired all four batters faced, three via strikeout for his first hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Daniel Hudson | *Alex Vesia | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Locking down his 16th save, Tanner Scott fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts while closing out a two-run win over the Mets. He threw 16 pitches (13 strikes – 81.3 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (25 SwStr%). He extended his scoreless streak to 14 games, during which he posted 17 strikeouts against five walks while converting all eight save chances.
- Calvin Faucher notched his tenth hold, tossing a scoreless eighth. He gave up a hit and struck out two.
- A.J. Puk secured his seventh hold with a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out two.
- Declan Cronin collected his second win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | A.J. Puk | Calvin Faucher
Milwaukee Brewers – Surviving a ninth-inning rally, Trevor Megill recorded his 19th save. He allowed a Byron Buxton lead-off home run, followed by Max Kepler’s double. After a flyout and an RBI fielder’s choice groundout, he recorded a game-ending strikeout against Matt Wallner. Megill threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced one whiff in his outing. He’s converted 18 of 20 save opportunities but has allowed multiple runs in two of his last three games.
- Elvis Peguero navigated around two hits and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless eighth, notching his tenth hold.
- Jared Koenig collected his eighth win, tossing a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- Devin Williams made his first rehab appearance at Triple-A. He was scoreless, allowing a walk and striking out one. He threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced two whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Elvis Peguero | Bryan Hudson
San Diego Padres – Securing his sixth save requiring at least four outs, Robert Suarez stranded a runner in the eighth and retired all four batters while preserving his 23rd save. He preserved a one-run win while facing the top of the lineup in the ninth. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff, recording one strikeout in his appearance. This marked his first save since July 4.
- Jeremiah Estrada notched his tenth hold, issuing a walk and striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Adrian Morejon
San Francisco Giants – During his first appearance in the second half, Camilo Doval recorded his 18th save, working around a two-out walk with a game-ending ground-out, preserving a one-run win in Colorado. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%), producing four whiffs (25 SwStr%) and striking out two. This represents his first save since July 5.
- Tyler Rogers notched his 19th hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Ryan Walker tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out one for his 17th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
St. Louis Cardinals – After warming up for the save chance, Ryan Helsley made his second-half debut in a non-save situation, closing out a four-run win in Atlanta after his teammates tacked on a run in the top of the ninth. It did not come easy as he navigated around a two-out walk and an Eddie Rosario single before producing a game-ending Ramón Laureano strikeout. Helsley threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (26.3 SwStr%) while striking out two in his outing.
- Andrew Kittredge notched his 26th hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Ryan Fernandez secured his tenth hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Capping his team’s eighth-inning rally, Kyle Finnegan shut the door on his 28th save with a clean top of the ninth, recording one strikeout. He only needed five pitches, all strikes, and induced one whiff (20 SwStr%). He’s appeared in three straight games, securing a save in each and converting his last five save chances.
- Robert Garcia collected his second win, tossing a scoreless eighth. He worked around a two-out walk and recorded a strikeout facing the Reds’ 9-1-2-3 hitters. He owns a modest seven-game scoreless streak and has registered a win in two of his last three.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Robert Garcia | Derek Law
Vulture Save Options for Monday, July 22
- Zack Kelly (BOS): Fantasy players can use him today and for the three-game set in Coors with Jansen out for the series.
- Joel Payamps (MIL): Megill and Peguero have appeared in back-to-back games, leaving the veteran atop the hierarchy in today’s match-up versus the Cubs.
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, July 23
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): If Clase pitches today, it will be consecutive outings, and Gaddis did not make an appearance on Sunday, leaving him available if needed on Tuesday.
- Tyson Miller (CHC): If Neris gets summoned tonight, he will be off on Tuesday. If Hodge and Leiter Jr. also pitch, it should be Miller for the vulture save in this circumstance.
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