First, a happy and safe July Fourth to our Closer Monkey community. Please enjoy your time with family and friends. During last night’s full slate, relievers had two multiple-inning wins, two wins after a blown save, and six in all. There were eight saves, including a historical one by Craig Kimbrel. He moved into fourth place all-time, recording his 438th career saves. He’s been very good since reclaiming the closer role, which segues nicely.
Three Takeaways
- Kimbrel’s recent surge: In a six-game stretch between April 24 and May 8, he allowed a run in five contests, resulting in a loss and two blown saves, which resulted in his removal from save opportunities. Over his last 20 games, he’s been scoreless in 18, converting 13 saves with a 27:5 K:BB (31.9 K-BB percentage), a 0.53 WHIP, and a 1.97 SIERA. Among qualified relievers, he ranks fourth in K-BB percentage, second in WHIP, and eighth in SIERA in this sample. Only Ryan Helsley (20), Trevor Megill (15), and Emmanuel Clase (14) have more saves since May 10. Outcomes in high-leverage can be volatile, and though not perfect, Kimbrel’s resiliency and grace in handling his removal from save opportunities make his recent results even more impressive.
- Suarez “changing” his pitch mix?: While nailing down his 21st save Tuesday night, Robert Suarez threw six season-high change-ups against Texas. Last season, he threw his change-up 33.4 percent of his pitches, producing a 16.7 swinging strike percentage with a 37.5 percent whiff rate. This year, he’s relied on his four-seam fastball but could see an uptick in strikeout rate if the change-up regains past form. For an illustration, here is his pitch usage percentage this year, courtesy of Statcast:
- Toronto’s pending fire sale: As noted in Keegan Matheson’s game recap for MLB.com, the Blue Jays’ loss last night left them with a 39-47 record and eight games out of the last Wild Card spot, with 21 games remaining until the trade deadline. Jordan Romano underwent an arthroscopic procedure for an impingement in his elbow and has been shut down from throwing for six weeks. Yimi García may begin his rehab outings for a return near the All-Star break, but he’s a pending free agent at the end of the season. This means he will be a trade candidate once he’s back, which may limit his upside for those hoping he regains a save share. If Toronto can get a desirable return, it may even trade Chad Green, which would remove the top three relievers in its high-leverage triumvirate for August, making mining saves in this bullpen potentially very difficult in the second half.
Next, our condensed game recaps cover Tuesday’s high-leverage moments of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Baltimore: Not only did Craig Kimbrel fire a clean ninth for his 21st save of the season, he moved into fourth all-time, securing his 438th, surpassing Francisco Rodríguez. Only Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Lee Smith have more saves in MLB history than Kimbrel. In this outing, he threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) while striking out two in Seattle. He owns a modest five-game scoreless streak with a save in each appearance.
- Cionel Pérez notched his 12th hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Jacob Webb logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one for his tenth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Cionel Pérez
Houston Astros – Summoned with two outs and a runner on second, Tayler Scott gave up a game-tying RBI single by Daulton Varsho, who was thrown out trying to reach second. Scott was credited with his fifth win and second blown save after his teammates scored four runs in the top of the seventh, representing a true vulture win.
- Bryan Abreu fired a clean seventh, striking out one on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Bryan King and Rafael Montero tossed clean innings while recording a strikeout, finishing a seven-run win.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – A salute to “The General” after recording his fourth career save requiring five outs or more. James McArthur took over with two runners on and one out in the top of the eighth, stranding both. He returned for the ninth and navigated around a lead-off single with a strikeout, a flyout, and a game-ending groundout for his 15th save. He’s been scoreless in 11 of his last 12 appearances and converted four saves.
- Chris Stratton was credited with his fifth hold, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk during his one-third of the eighth.
- Angel Zerpa stranded two runners while striking out Jonny DeLuca in the seventh, securing his ninth hold.
- John Schreiber tossed two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, walking one and striking out one for his 18th hold.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
Toronto Blue Jays – After stranding a runner in the sixth, Zach Pop returned for the seventh, and things did not go well. He allowed the lead-off hitter to reach on a throwing error, a double, and a single before being lifted. He finished with two hits against and three runs (two earned) over two-thirds combined innings.
- Jose Cuas replaced Pop and let both inherited runners score, issuing an intentional walk, giving up a two-RBI single, hitting two batters with a pitch, and being removed without recording an out.
- Brendon Little stranded the bases-loaded during his two-thirds of the seventh.
- Those hanging on for a potential return by Jordan Romano received concerning news this afternoon. Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Toronto’s closer underwent arthroscopic surgery on his elbow and will not throw for six weeks. It’s undetermined if he will return this season, but even if he can, it would be September at the earliest. He can be cut in redraft formats.
- In a separate update, Yimi García will throw a side session today and could head out on a rehab assignment if he comes through it with no issues.
Hierarchy remains: Chad Green | Trevor Richards | Nate Pearson
National League
Atlanta Braves – Making his first appearance in July, Raisel Iglesias secured his 21st save and first since June 23 with a scoreless ninth. He allowed a one-out single and recorded a strikeout on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) with three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in 10 of his last 11 games and converted all seven opportunities with 12 strikeouts against two walks.
- Joe Jiménez notched his 17th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- A.J. Minter displayed no signs of rust, recording his eighth hold with a clean seventh and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | A.J. Minter
Chicago Cubs – With the score tied in the top of the eighth, Tyson Miller allowed a lead-off single by Trea Turner and an Alec Bohm single before inducing a Nick Castellanos pop-out. A passed ball put runners on second and third, enabling a go-ahead sacrifice fly, followed by a two-out RBI single by Whit Merrifield, before an inning-ending strikeout. Miller was tagged with his first loss, giving up three hits and two runs (one earned) in his outing.
- Porter Hodge retired the side in the seventh and recorded a strikeout on 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Tyson Miller | Porter Hodge
Cincinnati Reds – Navigating around a lead-off walk, Alexis Díaz induced a double play groundout by Anthony Volpe and a game-ending flyout by Juan Soto for his 19th save. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He owns a six-game scoreless streak and has converted his last 12 saves since May 21.
- Justin Wilson stranded two runners while striking out Trent Grisham in the eighth for his eighth hold.
- Lucas Sims was credited with his 11th hold despite giving up a hit and a walk over two-thirds of the eighth.
- Fernando Cruz struggled in the seventh, letting his only inherited runner score on a Volpe double, walked Soto, and bore down, inducing an inning-ending double play groundout by Aaron Judge for his 17th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz | Sam Moll
Milwaukee Brewers – Completing a combined shutout, Jakob Junis recorded his first save of the season and second of his career. He logged two scoreless frames, scattering two hits and issuing a walk while striking out two. He threw 35 pitches (23 strikes – 65.7 Strike%) and induced four whiffs. He’s been scoreless over his last three games, spanning six innings.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Bryan Hudson
New York Mets – Jake Diekman suffered his third loss and blown save during his one-third of the seventh. He issued CJ Abrams a walk with two outs and gave up Lane Thomas’ game-tying RBI double, followed by a go-ahead RBI single by James Woods, before striking out Jesse Winker, ending the inning.
- Entering in the sixth with a one-run lead, Adam Ottavino retired a batter and two more in the seventh for his 13th hold.
Hierarchy remains: *Reed Garrett | *Jake Diekman | Dedniel Núñez
*= match-up-based approach
Philadelphia Phillies – Recording his 13th save, José Alvarado worked around a one-out single by David Bote with a lineout and a game-ending strikeout, finishing a two-run win over the Cubs. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). This marked his first save since June 11, and he’s been scoreless in six of his last seven games, with seven strikeouts against zero walks.
- Orion Kerkering notched his sixth hold, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
- Although Matt Strahm suffered his fourth blown save, he collected his fourth win courtesy of a two-run rally in the top of the eighth by his teammates. He allowed two hits, including a game-tying RBI single by Cody Bellinger, and recorded two strikeouts in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer
Pittsburgh Pirates – Making his first multi-inning outing since September 19, 2023, Aroldis Chapman collected his first win despite letting the “place” runner score in the top of the tenth, aided by his not covering first base. He finished his two innings, giving up a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out three. He threw 27 pitches (20 strikes – 74.1 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (14.8 SwStr%).
- Colin Holderman suffered his third blown save, allowing three hits, including a game-tying two-run home run by William Contreras, and recorded a strikeout in the top of the eighth. He’s allowed multiple runs in two of his last four contests.
- Carmen Mlodzinski secured his second hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out two.
- Kyle Nicolas tossed a scoreless sixth, walking one and striking out one for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman | Kyle Nicolas
San Diego Padres – Shutting the door on his 21st save, Robert Suarez retired all four batters faced, two via strikeout, preserving a two-run win in Texas. He took over in the eighth with a runner on and recorded an inning-ending groundout, then fired a clean ninth, throwing 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generating four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He last recorded a save on June 25, and he’s not allowed an earned run over his last five appearances while converting all four save chances.
- Jeremiah Estrada secured his seventh hold, giving up a hit and striking out two during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth.
- Adrian Morejon collected his second win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames and striking out one.
- Yuki Matsui worked 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and issuing an intentional walk (Wyatt Langford) while striking out four.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Enyel De Los Santos
St. Louis Cardinals – Taking over in the bottom of the tenth with two runners on and no outs, JoJo Romero suffered his fourth blown save, allowing consecutive RBI singles by Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, resulting in a walk-off defeat.
- Andrew Kittredge was tagged with his fourth loss. In his 1.1 innings, he gave up a hit, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out two.
- Matthew Liberatore stranded two runners in the seventh and gave up a hit over 1.2 scoreless frames.
- Giovanny Gallegos allowed two hits, including a Rowdy Tellez solo home run in his one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Appearing in a third straight game, Kyle Finnegan locked down his 23rd save by retiring the side and preserving a two-run win over the Mets. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) without getting a whiff facing the 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He’s been scoreless in eight of his last nine games, converting four of five saves with nine strikeouts versus two walks.
- Hunter Harvey notched his 24th hold, retiring his only batter via strikeout and stranding two runners.
- Robert Garcia allowed a walk and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds scoreless of the eighth for his tenth hold.
- Jacob Barnes collected his fourth win, tossing a clean seventh ahead of his team’s two-run rally in the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Vulture Save Options for Thursday, July 4
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Kimbrel has pitched in two straight and will be off today. Cano did warm up for last night’s contest but was not summoned.
- Nick Martinez (CIN): Díaz converted saves in the two previous games, and Cruz has also pitched in back-to-back contests, leaving Martinez in line for a potential multi-inning save with eyes on a sweep in New York.
- Dylan Floro (WSH): Washington’s high-leverage triumvirate has worked in three consecutive games, leaving the leverage ladder a bit thin. Derek Law may log multiple innings, and Floro should be in line for the save if provided.
- Carlos Hernández (KCR): “The General” threw 24 pitches and could have the save opportunity. If not, Hernández may be summoned in the ninth.
Vulture Save Options for Friday, July 5
- Pierce Johnson (ATL): If Iglesias pitches today, it will be back-to-back outings.
- Luke Weaver (NYY): If Holmes gets a save chance today, it will mark consecutive appearances.
- David Robertson (TEX): If Yates appears in today’s game, it will be two in a row, leaving the veteran Robertson in line for a save on Friday.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Please consider becoming a premium subscriber for a one-time $20 donation to the site, featuring full-text emails with charts, column blurbs, and ad-free analysis.
Statistical Credits:
