After a slow Thursday in the world of high-leverage events, Friday made up for it. Nine relievers recorded a win (60 percent of the slate), and seven secured saves. Ron Washington frustrated fantasy managers everywhere using Ben Joyce in the eighth against Toronto’s 3-4-5 lineup pocket and suffered a walk-off loss with his best reliever not on the mound. Atlanta, Seattle, and the Dodgers also provided walk-off wins on a crazy slate. Our condensed game recaps cover the high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Raisel Iglesias (ATL) had his batter-retired streak snapped on a hit batter but collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He recorded two scoreless frames and one strikeout in his outing. He’s been scoreless over his last 15 appearances, spanning 17 innings, with 20 strikeouts against one walk and a minuscule 0.18 WHIP.
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL) notched his fifth save and fourth with the Orioles, retiring the Astros’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket in order, capping his team’s comeback win.
- Jorge López (CHC) fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout for his fourth save, second with the Cubs. Porter Hodge logged 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a walk and striking out three while collecting his second win.
- Jason Foley (DET) notched his 17th save with a clean ninth on four pitches while preserving a three-run win over the White Sox. He’s recorded a save in two of his last three outings.
- Bryan Abreu (HOU) suffered his second loss. He gave up five hits, including Anthony Santander’s grand slam, and five earned runs over one-third of the eighth.
- Lucas Erceg (KCR) worked around a lead-off double for a scoreless ninth and seventh save. He’s been scoreless through ten outings since his acquisition, with 15 strikeouts against zero walks while converting all four save chances.
- Roansy Contreras (LAA) took over with a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth and served up consecutive home runs, resulting in his third loss and a second blown save.
- Michael Kopech (LAD) kept the game tied with a clean top of the ninth while recording two strikeouts. He collected his fourth win on Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the inning. Kopech has been scoreless through ten appearances since the trade deadline, with 15 strikeouts against one walk while retiring 31 of 33 batters across 10.2 innings.
- Brett de Geus (MIA) gave up two hits, including Isaac Paredes’ go-ahead RBI double, resulting in his second loss.
- Bryan Hudson (MIL) entered in the bottom of the fifth and tossed two clean frames while striking out one en route to his sixth win.
- Clay Holmes (NYY) secured his 27th save while preserving a combined shutout of the Rockies. He allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless ninth.
- David Bednar (PIT) navigated around a lead-off double and a two-out walk for his 23rd save in a scoreless top of the ninth. He’s converted four of six save chances this month despite posting a 2.22 WHIP through nine innings in August.
- Collin Snider (SEA) tossed a scoreless top of the tenth, issuing a walk and recording two strikeouts. He collected his third win after his teammates provided a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth.
- Colin Poche (TBR) was called upon at the bottom of the ninth with two runners on and two outs. He issued a walk and served up Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off grand slam. Manuel Rodríguez suffered his third loss as a result. During his two-thirds of the ninth, he gave up a hit and a hit batter, resulting in two earned runs.
- Kirby Yates (TEX) shut the door on his 23rd save with a clean ninth while recording a strikeout. He’s recorded two wins and four saves in five chances in August, with 18 strikeouts against four walks across 11 innings.
- Chad Green (TOR) tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, a hit and striking out one. He collected his fourth win courtesy of consecutive home runs in the bottom of the inning.
- Eduardo Salazar (WSH) was the tough-luck loser, suffering his first loss of the season. He logged 1.2 innings, but the “place” runner scored on a throwing error during a walk-off loss in Atlanta.
Vulture Save Options for Saturday, August 24
- Pierce Johnson (ATL): Iglesias appeared in a second straight game and logged two innings last night. Jiménez pitched in three of the previous four.
- Kyle Nicolas (PIT): Bednar and Chapman have pitched in three of the previous four.
Vulture Save Stashes for Sunday. August 25
- Yennier Cano (BAL): If Domínguez pitches today, it will be consecutive outings.
- Emilio Pagán (CIN): If Díaz appears in today’s contest, it will be back-to-back days.
- Tyler Holton (DET): If Foley pitches on Saturday, it will be two straight outings.
- John Schreiber (KCR): If Erceg appears today, it will be consecutive games and three in the last four.
Three Takeaways
- Hodge operates as the HLR: In the highest-leveraged moment during Friday’s game, the Cubs called upon Porter Hodge with two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the seventh. He stranded both runners and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing a walk while striking out three. Usage patterns like this suggest he’s the HLR (highest leveraged reliever) and not a closer, which will disappoint fantasy managers seeking clarity. However, as Tuesday attests, he will still be in the mix for saves. This also keeps Jorge López in the mix for saves and mixed league-worthy.
- Match-up-based outing in Toronto: Although José Quijada only faced one batter in the seventh, if Ron Washington did not want a two-inning save from Ben Joyce, why not keep the southpaw in the game against the Blue Jays 3-4-5 hitters, two of which were left-handed? Instead, Joyce faced them and turned in a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one. But did not return for the ninth. Roansy Contreras received the save chance and promptly allowed consecutive home runs, resulting in a walk-off loss. This was a confusing and frustrating usage pattern for those with Joyce on their fantasy rosters.
- Match-up-based outing for the Rays: This one is less of a surprise and indicates roles will be fluid with Pete Fairbanks sidelined by a lat injury. Edwin Uceta took over in the sixth against the Dodgers’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket and worked 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Garrett Cleavinger replaced him to face Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, retiring all four batters faced. This led to Manuel Rodríguez in the ninth. He hit Will Smith with a pitch, allowed a Tommy Edman single, and after a sacrifice bunt put both runners in scoring position, he induced a Gavin Lux groundout before being replaced. Colin Poche took over against pinch-hitter Max Muncy and issued a walk before allowing the walk-off Ohtani grand slam. Kevin Cash may perceive Uceta and Rodríguez as the highest-leveraged relievers, but he will deploy them as needed in a game. This means fantasy managers will sometimes be frustrated with how saves get distributed in a match-up-based bullpen.
Those seeking full game recaps should surf the team pages; they’ve all been updated with Friday’s results.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
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