Monday’s 10-game slate yielded wins by five relievers and four saves. Colin Rea (MIL) recorded the first save of his career while providing his teammates rest during a win over the Phillies. There were also four one-run contests with playoff implications. Our condensed recaps cover all of the high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
Ryan Thompson (ARI) suffered his fifth loss during two-thirds combined innings in Colorado. He allowed Brenton Doyle’s lead-off single, followed by a stolen base, resulting in an intentional walk of Ryan McMahon. Thompson induced a ground ball, but a throwing error on the attempted double play scored the game-winning run, resulting in an unearned run on his ledger.
- Hierarchy remains: Justin Martinez | A.J. Puk | Ryan Thompson
Justin Anderson (CHW) finished a four-run win over the Angels. He retired the side and recorded two strikeouts, throwing 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and inducing two whiffs.
- Hierarchy remains: *Justin Anderson | *Gus Varland | Prelander Berroa
Emmanuel Clase (CLE) retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Twins, nailing down his MLB-leading 46th save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s only allowed two hits through six appearances in September while converting all six save chances and striking out eight. He’s also converted 33 consecutive save opportunities since May 20 and, with four more, could become the first reliever with 50 saves since Edwin Díaz (57 in 2018). Andrew Walters collected his first career win, tossing a clean top of the eighth and striking out one ahead of his team’s two-run rally.
- Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Cade Smith
Seth Halvorsen (COL) collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth. He logged two scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out two. He threw 23 pitches (18 strikes – 78.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs against Arizona. Since his promotion, he’s recorded eight scoreless appearances and a win in two of his last four.
- Hierarchy remains: Tyler Kinley | Victor Vodnik | Angel Chivilli
Jason Foley (DET) retired the side and recorded a strikeout while finishing a one-run win over the Royals for his 24th save. He threw 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Since August 14, he’s been scoreless in 14 of his 16 outings while converting all nine save chances with 13 strikeouts versus four walks over 14.2 innings.
- Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Will Vest
- *= closer-by-committee
Sam Long (KC) stranded a runner in the fifth, but he only recorded one out in the sixth while allowing three hits and three earned runs, resulting in his second loss.
- Hierarchy remains: Lucas Erceg | John Schreiber | Kris Bubic
Evan Phillips (LAD) worked a clean bottom of the fifth and was awarded his fourth win. He retired the side against Atlanta’s 3-4-5 lineup pocket on 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs.
- Hierarchy remains: *Michael Kopech | *Evan Phillips | Blake Treinen
- *= closer-by-committee
Colin Rea (MIL) was summoned with two runners on and out at the top of the seventh and gave up an RBI single by Kyle Schwarber, scoring an inherited runner but no further damage. Rea remained in the game, providing his teammates much-needed rest, and logged 2.2 scoreless innings, yielding three hits and striking out one for his first career save. He threw 29 pitches (23 strikes – 79.3 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (17.2 SwStr%).
- Hierarchy remains: Devin Williams | Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps
Griffin Jax (MIN) stranded a bases-loaded situation in the seventh. He returned for the eighth, allowing two hits, including Kyle Manzardo’s go-ahead two-run home run. This resulted in Jax’s fifth loss and a sixth blown save. He threw 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
- Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands
Reed Garrett (NYM) took over at the top of the tenth and stranded the “place” runner while retiring the side. He collected his eighth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike% without a whiff facing the Nationals’ 6-7-8 batters. Edwin Díaz worked around a lead-off single by James Wood and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied, throwing 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Hierarchy remains: Edwin Díaz | Phil Maton | Reed Garrett
Robert Suarez (SD) retired the side and preserved a two-run win over Houston for his 33rd save. He threw eight pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff against the 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He’s collected a win and converted four of six save chances through seven games this month. Tanner Scott allowed two hits, including an RBI single by Yordan Alvarez, and recorded a strikeout for his ninth hold in the eighth. Jason Adam secured his 27th hold with a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit.
- Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Tanner Scott | Jason Adam
Ryan Fernandez (STL) retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the ninth against the Pirates’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, preserving a 4-0 win. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). Andrew Kittredge fired a clean eighth and recorded one strikeout for his National League-leading 34th hold.
- Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Jacob Barnes (WSH) entered a tied game at the bottom of the tenth and suffered his third loss. His outing began with Tyrone Taylor’s intentional walk, and after inducing a flyout, he allowed Starling Marte’s walk-off single. Jose A. Ferrer retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the ninth, facing the Mets’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket.
- Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Derek Law | Jose A. Ferrer
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, September 17
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Clase has pitched the previous two games, but he has proven capable of working three in a row, especially against a divisional rival. If Clase pitches tonight, Gaddis carries over to tomorrow.
- Tyler Holton (DET): Foley has appeared in consecutive contests.
- Phil Maton (NYM): Díaz has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Jeremiah Estrada (SD): Suarez, Scott, and Adam have all logged consecutive outings.
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, September 18
- Depends on usage patterns in Tuesday’s slate.
Three Takeaways
Walters’ positive first impression: Andrew Walters could become a fixture in the Guardians’ deep bullpen after rising through the minor league ranks. He’s recorded three scoreless appearances since his promotion, including his first career win in last night’s come-from-behind win over the Royals. He’s only produced two strikeouts but has generated a 25-swinging strike percentage and may make the postseason roster with a strong finish this season. Those in keeper leagues should monitor his results closely.
Wild Card, American League: After last night’s results, the Twins hold the last Wild Card spot with its lead over Detroit narrowing to one-and-a-half games, and Seattle moved within two games of the last postseason spot. Here are the updated playoff odds courtesy of Fangraphs:
Wild Card, National League: Arizona’s loss and the Mets’ win in the late innings put three teams within a game of the two playoff spots. Entering game play tonight, Arizona sits in the second Wild Card spot, one game ahead of the Mets, who have a one-game cushion over Atlanta. However, this is hardly decided. Managing workloads and preserving late leads will be pivotal down the stretch.
Those seeking full game recaps should surf the team pages; they’ve all been updated with Monday’s results.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
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