Sunday was a voluminous day from a high-leverage standpoint, highlighted by Bob Nightengale:
Relievers recorded nine wins and seven losses and converted six saves while suffering nine blown saves on a volatile slate. Velocity and location remain two focal points early this season; our three takeaways explore results by three relievers of interest.
Three Takeaways
(1) Romano’s velocity remains down: The only group that may be more critical than Phillies’ fans is disgruntled fantasy managers. Jordan Romano took over at the top of the seventh with a two-run lead. He left to a chorus of boos. He allowed a lead-off single by Andy Pages, walked Shohei Ohtani, and gave up an RBI double by Mookie Betts, prompting his removal. He threw 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%):
This chart does not illustrate the velocity dip like this one from Brooks Baseball does:
Not good. Orion Kerkering let both inherited runners score during the seventh on a sacrifice fly and an RBI Will Smith double, but no earned runs on his ledger. He collected his first win and a blown save. Matt Strahm fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his third hold. Shutting the door on his second save, José Alvarado retired the side against the Dodgers’ vaunted top of the lineup. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) without a whiff, but it was a much-needed clean outing. He has a 1.20 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against two walks (38.1 K-BB%). This may be premature, or too late, based on the outcome:
Adjusted Hierarchy: *José Alvarado | *Orion Kerkering | Matt Strahm
*= floating closer concept
(2) Estévez works with reduced velocity again: Locking down his second save, Carlos Estévez fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout, finishing a three-run win over Baltimore. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with four strikeouts against three walks (two intentional), resulting in a 6.2 K-BB percentage through four innings. However, his velocity slowly climbed until this outing. He averaged 94.5 miles per hour with the four-seam in April before this game. It may be a blip, but fantasy players will continually monitor this throughout his upcoming contests.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Hunter Harvey
(3) Helsley struggles with his command at Fenway: During Game 1, Ryan Helsley struggled, giving up a hit, two earned runs, and four walks while striking out two in the ninth, handing him his first blown save. He threw 37 pitches (16 strikes – 43.2 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (10.8 SwStr%).
This jumped his WHIP to 1.75, and he’s posted eight strikeouts versus four walks (21 K-BB%) over four innings. Last year, he only allowed multiple walks in five of 65 appearances and never more than two. These four walks tied a career-high, set on August 5, 2019, against the Dodgers.
Helsley had not logged an appearance in this game since April 1, so it’s likely a combination of rust and the weather conditions, but this will be monitored.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero
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Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday’s slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Boston Red Sox
(Game 1) – Taking over at the top of the tenth, Aroldis Chapman stranded the “ghost” runner and worked around a walk with two strikeouts for a scoreless outing. He collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
Through 3.2 innings, he has a 1.09 WHIP with four strikeouts versus three walks.
- Garrett Whitlock allowed two hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out two across two innings.
- Justin Slaten retired the side and recorded one strikeout at the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Garrett Whitlock
Chicago White Sox
Things went off the rails for the relievers. Mike Clevinger took over at the bottom of the seventh and issued two outs while retiring one batter. He was credited with his second hold.
- Cam Booser stranded two runners, striking out Riley Greene, for his first hold.
- Penn Murfee entered at the bottom of the eighth, giving up a hit and a walk over two-thirds scoreless for his second hold.
- Fraser Ellard took over, stranding both runners and returning for the ninth, allowed a single, induced a groundout, issued two walks, and was removed.
- Jordan Leasure took over the bases-loaded situation and issued a walk, plating one, then gave up Spencer Torkelson’s two-RBI walk-off double, resulting in his first blown save. Ellard was tagged with his first loss and a hold, allowing three earned runs over two-thirds combined innings.
With a first-year manager and a weak leverage ladder, it may be best to let someone else take a chance on a reliever from this team.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jordan Leasure | *Cam Booser | *Mike Clevinger
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers
It seemed innocent when John Brebbia tossed a clean top of the ninth on 12 pitches (5 strikes – 41.7 Strike%) without a whiff. However, he collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Tommy Kahnle retired the side at the top of the eighth, facing the top of the White Sox order on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s not allowed a baserunner through three outings and recorded two strikeouts (22.2 K-BB%).
- Brenan Hanifee chipped in with two clean frames.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tommy Kahnle | *Will Vest | *Tyler Holton
*= match-up-based bullpen
Houston Astros
After keeping the game tied at the bottom of the ninth, Josh Hader returned for the tenth. He collected his first win, striking out three of six batters on 29 pitches (22 strikes – 75.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (13.8 SwStr%) with two clean frames.
This lowered his WHIP to 0.80 with six strikeouts versus two walks (21.1 K-BB%) across five innings.
- Bryan Abreu allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth.
- Bryan King fired a clean seventh, striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Los Angeles Angels
In order of appearance, Ryan Zeferjahn was awarded his first win, tossing a scoreless sixth, allowing a hit, and striking out three.
- Brock Burke gave up a hit and recorded two outs in the seventh for his second hold.
- Ben Joyce stranded a runner in the seventh and retired all four batters, one via strikeout, for his second hold.
- Kenley Jansen fired a clean ninth, striking out one, closing the four-run win. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (50 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Ben Joyce | Brock Burke
Minnesota Twins
Suffering his first loss, Louis Varland recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, issued a walk, followed by a stolen base, Jose Altuve’s RBI single, and a second run (unearned) on a double steal before recording an inning-ending strikeout.
- Griffin Jax was tagged with his first blown save, allowing three hits, including a game-tying Yordan Alvarez two-run home run, and recorded three strikeouts in the ninth. He threw 17 pitches (14 strikes – 82.4 Strike%) with five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%).
- Jhoan Durán fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his first hold on 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with one whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands
New York Yankees
With the score tied at the bottom of the 11th, Devin Williams recorded a quick out, then allowed a stolen base, followed by a walk-off Tommy Pham RBI-single, resulting in his first loss. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff during his one-third inning.
- Luke Weaver logged two scoreless frames, walking and striking out two on 23 pitches (13 strikes – 56.5 Strike%) with three whiffs (13 SwStr%).
- Yoendrys Gómez tossed two innings, walking one and striking out one.
- Brent Headrick worked two scoreless frames, issuing a walk and striking out four. His reward? Being optioned for a fresh arm as the team arrives in Detroit.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Mark Leiter Jr.
Tampa Bay Rays
Making his first consecutive appearance, Edwin Uceta suffered his first loss, allowing a two-out Josh Smith double, followed by a walk-off Jonah Heim RBI single.
Pete Fairbanks fired a clean bottom of the eighth, keeping the game tied, and recorded one strikeout on nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
He has a 1.33 WHIP with five strikeouts versus two walks (25 K-BB%) across three innings.
- Manuel Rodríguez allowed a hit and an unearned run while striking out three over 1.1 innings.
- Garrett Cleavinger gave up a go-ahead Corey Seager home run at the bottom of the sixth and issued a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of an inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Garrett Cleavinger
Texas Rangers
Working around a one-out walk, Jacob Webb tossed a scoreless top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts. He benefited from a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame, collecting his first win. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
- Marc Church suffered his first blown save, giving up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in the eighth.
- Hoby Milner logged two clean frames, recording two strikeouts, and was in line for the win.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Jackson | Chris Martin | Robert Garcia
National League
Chicago Cubs
Entering a tied game at the top of the ninth, Ryan Pressly issued a lead-off walk, a leverage no-no. He bounced back by inducing a groundout against Fernando Tatis Jr., but Luis Arraez singled, and during a fielder’s choice groundout, an error at first base let the go-ahead run score (unearned), handing him his first loss. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Porter Hodge was tagged with his first blown save, issuing a lead-off walk at the top of the eighth, giving up a stolen base and a two-out, game-tying Gavin Sheets RBI single.
- Brad Keller notched his first hold, yielding a hit and striking out two in a scoreless seventh.
- Julian Merryweather stranded two runners in the fifth and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out two for his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Julian Merryweather
Colorado Rockies
Called upon with a three-run lead at the top of the eighth, Victor Vodnik issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts. After his team scored five runs at the bottom of the inning, he returned for the ninth. He allowed a lead-off single, and the runner advanced with two outs. After a walk, he scored on a Lawrence Butler RBI single before inducing a game-ending Brent Rooker flyout for his first save. Vodnik threw 39 pitches (18 strikes – 46.2 Strike%) and only induced one whiff.
- Luis Peralta retired one batter and left the game with an injury, getting credit for his first hold.
- Jake Bird fired two clean frames and recorded five strikeouts for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Seth Halvorsen | Victor Vodnik | Tyler Kinley
Los Angeles Dodgers
Forced into action early, Alex Vesia let all three inherited runners score at the bottom of the third on a Nick Castellanos grand slam. Vesia finished with two hits against and an earned run.
- Jack Dreyer logged 2.1 scoreless frames, walking two and striking out four.
- Kirby Yates stranded two runners and retired both batters at the bottom of the sixth, striking out one.
- Blake Treinen suffered his first loss and a blown save. He allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk at the bottom of the seventh.
- Luis García issued three walks but held on for a scoreless eighth in an eventual one-run loss.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Blake Treinen | Kirby Yates
*= match-up-based approach
New York Mets
Nailing down his second save and preserving a one-run win, Edwin Díaz tossed a scoreless ninth and recorded a strikeout versus Toronto. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced one whiff. However, he also hit two batters, which keeps his WHIP down, but the command is still a work in progress.
He has a 0.75 WHIP with six strikeouts (37.5 K-BB%) across four innings.
- A.J. Minter notched his second hold, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
- Reed Garrett fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his third hold.
- Max Kranick collected his first win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | A.J. Minter | Ryne Stanek
Pittsburgh Pirates
After stranding the “ghost” runner at the top of the 11th, Joey Wentz earned his first win via a walk-off at the bottom of the inning.
- During a scoreless tenth, Caleb Ferguson issued an intentional walk (Aaron Judge).
- Chase Shugart stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the ninth.
- Ryan Borucki suffered his first blown save, giving up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the ninth. He took over against the Yankees’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket.
- Dennis Santana retired the top of the order on 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%) for his second hold, being used like the highest-leveraged reliever, not a closer.
Hierarchy Remains: Dennis Santana | Justin Lawrence | Ryan Borucki
San Diego Padres
Sealing a comeback, one-run win, Robert Suarez retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Cubs. He threw 17 pitches (14 strikes – 82.4 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.25 WHIP with six strikeouts against one walk (35.8 K-BB%) through four innings.
- Jason Adam collected his second win, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Jeremiah Estrada worked a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two. Adrian Morejon retired all four batters, two via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
San Francisco Giants
Despite ceding the one-run lead and suffering his second blown save, Camilo Doval collected his first win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He did wreak havoc on fantasy managers streaming him for the vulture save, giving up two hits, an earned run, and two walks. His command had improved, but he only threw 11 of his 20 pitches (55 Strike%) in this outing, getting one whiff.
- Erik Miller notched his third hold, navigating around two hits for a scoreless eighth.
- Tyler Rogers retired the side in the seventh, securing his fourth hold.
- Randy Rodríguez let one of two inherited runners score on a hit and struck out one in two-thirds scoreless for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
Washington Nationals
Securing his third save, Kyle Finnegan allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless top of the ninth. He threw 23 pitches (16 strikes – 69.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (8.7 SwStr%).
He’s posted three strikeouts against three walks with a 1.50 WHIP across three innings.
- Jorge López gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one for his second hold in the eighth.
- Jose A. Ferrer stranded a runner despite giving up a hit and struck out one over two-thirds of the seventh for his second hold.
- Lucas Sims notched his first hold, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Jorge López | Jose A. Ferrer
Vulture Save Options for April 7
- Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Hader logged two innings during an extra-inning win on Sunday.
- Griffin Jax (MIN) – Yes, he suffered a blown save, but will rebound. Plus, Durán, Sands, and Topa have appeared on consecutive days.
- Ryne Stanek (NYM) – A busy weekend resulted in back-to-back outings for Díaz, and others will require rest.
- Justin Lawrence (PIT): Santana has pitched on consecutive days, and Holderman is on the injured list, so the cupboard is getting bare for the Jolly Roger.
- Phil Maton (STL) – Helsley threw 37 pitches during his blown save on Sunday.
- Lucas Sims (WSH) – Finnegan has pitched on consecutive days, so has López. Ferrer in three straight.
Vulture Save Stash for Tuesday, April 8
- Yennier Cano (BAL) – If Félix Bautista pitches on Monday.
- Brad Keller (CHC) – If Hodge and Pressly pitch again on Monday, it will be back-to-back outings.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits:
