Closer Monkey

Saturday’s slate featured a bevy of high-leverage situations. Relievers recorded nine wins, though two followed blown saves at the top of the inning, and seven saves while suffering six losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:

Today could be a busy one for the save streamers, though the recommendations below Bryan Abreu come with an inherent risk:

Vulture Save Options for June 9

• Bryan Abreu (HOU): Hader has pitched the two previous days. 
• Edwin Uceta (TB): Fairbanks has appeared in four of the last five days. 
• Yariel Rodríguez (TOR): Hoffman has worked in back-to-back games. 
• Braxton Ashcraft (PIT): Bednar and Santana have pitched in consecutive contests. 
• Hunter Strickland (LAA): For the desperate crowd, Jansen/Zeferjahn/Detmers have all pitched in back-to-back wins. 

Vulture Save Stashes for June 10

• Garrett Whitlock (BOS): If Chapman pitches tonight, it will be back-to-back outings. 
• Phil Maton (STL): If Helsley pitches today, it’s consecutive appearances and three in four days. 

Three Takeaways

(1) Saveless in Atlanta: In its first 63 games, Atlanta has had 22 save opportunities, according to Baseball-Reference, and has converted only 10. The team’s last save was on May 18. On Saturday, with a one-run at the bottom of the ninth, Pierce Johnson allowed a one-out single by Heliot Ramos and, with two outs, served up a walk-off two-run home run by Matt Chapman, resulting in his third loss and a second blown save. This marks consecutive losses in back-to-back games for the veteran reliever. Sometimes, when it rains, it pours. However, relying on his curve, he cannot leave them in the heart of the strike zone with such thin margins:

Now, fantasy managers await how the next save chance is structured. For now:

Hierarchy Remains: *Raisel Iglesias | *Dylan Lee | *Pierce Johnson

(2) Helsley suffers consecutive blown saves: Taking over a 1-0 game at the top of the ninth, Ryan Helsley recorded a strikeout, then allowed consecutive singles by Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, putting runners at the corners. During Freddie Freeman’s strikeout, a wild pitch scored Ohtani, tying the game, followed by an inning-ending strikeout of Will Smith. Helsley was tagged with his fourth blown save but picked up his fourth win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 19 pitches (15 strikes – 78.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%). Here is his pitch illustrator from Saturday:

And his results:

He’s suffered consecutive blown saves in his first two games this month. Through his first 23 games this year, he has a 3.52 ERA, a 3.66 SIERA, and a 3.90 xERA, but the biggest concern remains his 1.52 WHIP. His contact rates have remained above last year’s levels, and he has produced fewer whiffs:

Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero

(3) Palencia makes his first June appearance: Despite a five-run lead, Daniel Palencia took over at the bottom of the eighth with two runners on and two outs. He induced an inning-ending flyout by Colt Keith and returned for the ninth. Palencia recorded a strikeout, allowed Spencer Torkelson’s single, and issued a walk before bearing down, recording a second strikeout, followed by a game-ending pick-off at first base. He finished with 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two on 22 pitches (12 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) with three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).

He has been scoreless in 15 of his last 16 appearances, posting a 0.809 WHIP with 21 strikeouts versus six walks (23.1 K-BB%) through 17.1 innings. With Porter Hodge suffering a setback while on the injured list, Palencia gets more run as the closer, though the team may add a veteran before the trade deadline. For now:

Hierarchy Remains: Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller | Drew Pomeranz

Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.

Closer CliffsNotes

Baltimore Orioles – Handed a three-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Félix Bautista took over against The Athletics’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket and navigated around a lead-off walk by retiring the next three batters via strikeouts, securing his 12th save. He threw 24 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (25 SwStr%).

He has a four-game scoreless streak and has converted his last five saves.

• Andrew Kittredge recorded a clean eighth while striking out one for his third hold. Gregory Soto notched his 14th hold with a clean seventh, striking out one.
• Seranthony Domínguez worked around a hit and a walk with two strikeouts during a scoreless sixth, securing his sixth hold.
• Keegan Akin stranded an inherited runner and issued a walk while retiring one batter in the fifth. He was awarded his first win after his teammates rallied for two runs at the top of the sixth.

Hierarchy Remains: Félix Bautista | Seranthony Domínguez | Bryan Baker

Boston Red Sox – Capping a wild contest, Aroldis Chapman nailed down his tenth save by retiring the side and recording a strikeout against the Yankees’ 8-9-1 hitters. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (45.5 SwStr%).

He has been scoreless over his last five appearances and posted a 0.92 WhIP with 34 strikeouts through 26 innings this season.

• Justin Wilson allowed a hit, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out two in the eighth, getting credit for his sixth hold.
• Greg Weissert fired a clean seventh, striking out the side for his tenth hold.

Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Greg Weissert | Justin Wilson

Chicago White Sox – In his team’s 22nd win, Dan Altavilla became the sixth reliever with a save this season, tying for the team lead. He worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending pop-out for his first save since 2020 and the second of his career. He threw 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff.

• Steven Wilson worked around a hit and a walk with three strikeouts in a scoreless eighth, securing his seventh hold.
• Cam Booser notched his sixth hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless seventh. 

Updated Hierarchy: *Dan Altavilla | *Steven Wilson | *Cam Booser

*= closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – (SSP Game) – After issuing a walk and stranding the “place” runner while striking out two during a scoreless top of the tenth, Tony Santillan collected his first win on his team’s first walk-off rally of the season. Emilio Pagán fired a clean ninth and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 11 pitches (90.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%) against Arizona’s 2-3-4 lineup pocket. Graham Ashcraft logged two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out four.

(Game 2) – Lyon Richardson finished a lopsided win with a clean top of the ninth while recording one strikeout. Brent Suter gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth. 

Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft

Cleveland Guardians – Taking over at the top of the tenth, Hunter Gaddis issued a one-out walk, induced a groundout by Jeremy Peña, then threw a wild pitch, putting the runners into scoring position ahead of a two-RBI single by Isaac Paredes, resulting in his first loss.

• Emmanuel Clase fired a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout. He has been scoreless in 11 of his last 12 outings, converting six saves while posting a 0.684 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against two walks (29.6 K-BB%) over 11.2 innings.
• Cade Smith kept the game tied, retiring the side at the top of the eighth. Jakob Junis worked a clean seventh and recorded one strikeout.

Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis

Houston Astros – Protecting a two-run lead, Bennett Sousa earned his first save, stranding the “place” runner while issuing a walk and recording two strikeouts in a scoreless bottom of the tenth.

Josh Hader collected his second win, working around a hit and a walk with three strikeouts in a scoreless ninth. He threw 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (29.2 SwStr%).

He’s been scoreless in his last nine games, converting all seven save chances with 16 strikeouts against two walks (43.7 K-BB%) through nine innings.

• Shawn Dubin allowed a game-tying home run by José Ramírez, scoring an inherited runner while tossing two innings, resulting in his first blown save.

Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King

Los Angeles Angels – Lined up against Seattle’s 3-4-5 lineup pocket, Kenley Jansen allowed Cal Raleigh’s solo shot while recording his 14th save. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff.

He owns a 1.362 WHIP with 19 strikeouts across 21.1 innings.

• Ryan Zeferjahn notched his 11th hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless eighth.
• Reid Detmers worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out two, extending his scoreless streak to nine games.
• Brock Burke secured his sixth hold, stranding two runners and retiring both batters in the sixth.
• Héctor Neris was credited with his seventh hold despite allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk during one-third of the sixth.
• Connor Brogdon collected his first win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, walking one, and striking out two. 

Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Ryan Zeferjahn | Reid Detmers

Milwaukee Brewers – Summoned with a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, Trevor Megill was not up to the challenge. He allowed a one-out single by Elias Díaz, induced a fielder’s choice groundout by Tyler Wade, then walked Xander Bogaerts with two outs, putting two runners on. After a double steal placed runners at second and third, Luis Arraez scored both, producing a two-RBI double tying the game, resulting in Megill’s second blown save. However, he also collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 23 pitches (13 strikes – 56.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff.

• Jared Koenig tossed a clean eighth while recording a strikeout.
• Abner Uribe gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh. 

Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Jared Koenig

Pittsburgh Pirates – “The Renegade” raised the Jolly Roger, firing a clean bottom of the ninth and recording one strikeout while facing Philadelphia’s 1-2-3 lineup pocket. David Bednar notched his eighth save, throwing seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) and inducing one whiff (14.3 SwStr%).

He owns a seven-game scoreless streak since May 24, converting all four save chances with nine strikeouts (39.1 K-BB%) and a 0.286 WHIP across seven innings.

• Dennis Santana retired the side and recorded a strikeout for his eighth save in the eighth inning.
• Isaac Mattson collected his first win, working a clean seventh and striking out one.

Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Dennis Santana | Caleb Ferguson

Toronto Blue Jays – Handed a two-run lead, Jeff Hoffman survived Kody Clemens’ solo home run and recorded a strikeout while securing his 15th save. He lost his three-game scoreless streak but has recorded a win and four saves in his last six appearances with a 1.11 WHIP and eight strikeouts versus three walks (24 K-BB%). However, he has already surpassed the number of home runs allowed this year compared to last in only his 29th game.

• Braydon Fisher notched his first hold, retiring the side and striking out one during the eighth.
• Chad Green collected his second win, navigating around two hits and a walk during a scoreless seventh.

Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yariel Rodríguez | Chad Green

Quick Hits

• Arizona Diamondbacks: During the resumed suspended game, Ryan Thompson fired a clean bottom of the ninth while recording two strikeouts. He returned for the tenth without the same success. He recorded a third strikeout, then allowed Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s walk-off RBI double, scoring the “place” runner, resulting in his second loss.
• Kansas City Royals: During an eventual loss, Steven Cruz allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts in a scoreless bottom of the seventh. He’s been scoreless in his last three appearances with multiple strikeouts in each (9 strikeouts of 16 batters faced).
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Entering a scoreless contest with a five-game scoreless streak, Ben Casparius not only allowed a run, he did so in each inning. At the bottom of the eighth, he gave up consecutive singles by Masyn Winn and Brendan Donovan and a two-out Willson Contreras go-ahead RBI single. After his teammates tied the game, Casparius returned for the ninth, allowing Nolan Gorman’s lead-off double, getting an out on a sacrifice bunt, followed by Nolan Arenado’s walk-off single, resulting in his first loss.
• Miami Marlins: Working two clean frames between the ninth and the tenth, Cade Gibson collected his first MLB win. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
• Minnesota Twins: Fatigue may be catching up with this leverage ladder. Jhoan Durán allowed two hits, including Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s RBI single, and recorded a strikeout during a non-save appearance. Griffin Jax gave up George Springer’s go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth, resulting in his fourth loss and fourth blown save.
• Philadelphia Phillies: Appearing in an eventual loss, Taijuan Walker worked a scoreless eighth despite issuing two walks. He threw 27 pitches (16 strikes – 59.3 Strike%) and only induced one whiff.
• San Diego Padres: Although his teammates tied the game at the top of the ninth, the momentum did not last long. David Morgan allowed a walk-off home run, resulting in his first loss on the second pitch he threw. Jason Adam allowed two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk during the eighth.
• San Francisco Giants: Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Tyler Rogers collected his third win. He worked a scoreless top of the ninth despite issuing a walk.
• Tampa Bay Rays: Called upon at the top of the tenth, Garrett Cleavinger allowed a one-out go-ahead RBI single by Heriberto Hernandez, scoring the “place” runner, resulting in his second loss. He did record two strikeouts. Pete Fairbanks fired a clean ninth while striking out one, throwing 13 pitches (84.6 Strike%) without a whiff.
• Texas Rangers: Preserving a combined shutout, Chris Martin retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the ninth in a non-save capacity. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff.

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Statistical Credits:

Fangraphs.com

Baseball-Reference.com

BaseballSavant.com

BrooksBaseball.net