When asked to list dominant closers, household names like Kenley Jansen , Aroldis Chapman and Craig Kimbrel come to mind. After failing as the ninth inning option for the Nationals last season, Blake Treinen ’s reinvented himself in Oakland. He converted his 15th straight save on Monday afternoon giving up a hit with a strikeout. Over his last 21 games, Treinen’s 0.76 ERA in 23.2 innings stands out.
On the season, Treinen’s 18-for-20 in save chances with four wins and a minuscule 0.96 ERA, which leads all qualified American League relievers. He also limits traffic in relief outings with a WHIP below one (0.90). Treinen’s also won four games, generates ground balls 49.5 percent of the time with a 24 strikeouts minus walk percentage. If Oakland decides to trade Treinen, it could net a nice cache of prospects for a contending team looking beyond this year for a closer. Yes, Cleveland and Boston, looking at you.
That Just Happened
In the year 2018, Edwin Jackson and Jordan Zimmerman combined for 11 innings on Monday giving up one earned run between them with 10 strikeouts. You cannot predict baseball.
Nicholas Castellanos extended his hit streak to six games going 2-for-5 with a double and a home run. This marks his 29th multiple hit game and raised his slash lines to .304/.348/.498 in the process. Castellanos’ home run is his 10th this year and fifth in June. His owners crave a power surge in the second half.
Another two hit game for José Iglesias who has hit safely in 23 of his last 28 games with a .333 average in 96 at-bats, eight runs, eight doubles, two triples and 12 RBI in them. Plus, he’s already stolen a career high 12 bases.
Tough day for the Tigers bullpen. Joe Jimenez tied a career worst giving up three earned runs for the first time since April 25th. Jimenez had allowed four runs all of May (16 games) and no runs entering today in June covering his previous nine appearances. Shane Greene absorbed his fourth loss serving up a game winning home run to Jed Lowrie . Greene had not worked since notching four straight saves between June 13th to the 16th.
Lowrie’s home run was his 12th this year and the 14th go-ahead RBI he’s produced for the A’s. Lou Trivino garners the win in relief, his sixth, to tie Daniel Mengden and Sean Manaea for the team lead in the category.
Two rookies have surged of late. Dustin Fowler recorded two hits in five at-bats and he’s now hitting .309 in June with three home runs and seven RBI his last 21 games. Franklin Barreto went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. He’s hit safely in six of his last seven games going nine for 28 (.321) with five runs, two doubles, three home runs and nine RBI.
Stephen Piscotty also extended his hit streak to six games with three hits including a double and a home run. He’s caught fire of late hitting .329 (24-for-73) his last 22 games with 15 runs, seven doubles, four home runs and 16 RBI.
Converted reliever Brad Keller ’s adjusting to starting and fired seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts en route to his second win of the season. Keller threw 109 pitches with 12 swinging strikes and 19 called to fuel his strong outing. It’s tough to trust a Royals pitcher, but Keller’s 2.25 ERA comes with a 60.7 ground ball percentage making him a deep league dart throw going forward.
Just when it seemed like a closer emerged in Kansas City when Tim Hill recorded his first save in Houston, enter veteran Wily Peralta . Peralta struck out Mike Trout and Justin Upton along with giving up a hit during a scoreless ninth for his first career save as well. This could be a match-ups based bullpen or it’s Peralta’s job to lose going forward. Stay tuned.
Another strong start by Tyler Skaggs who whiffed eight in seven innings giving up seven hits, one earned run and two walks. His 110 pitches generated 16 swinging strikes and 16 called strikes. Of Skaggs 15 starts so far, 12 have yielded two or fewer runs and he struck out at least five for the 10th straight game. Skaggs falls to 3 - 1 in June but with an impressive 0.67 ERA in 27 innings.
Night Moves
With John Gant making the start for the Cardinals and the news of Michael Wacha being out until after the All-Star break, would St. Louis summon Dakota Hudson? He won his 10th game on Saturday and nine quality starts during his last 10 outings. His 57.2 ground ball percentage with strong sinker and slider mix could translate to success in the majors, but it remains to be seen if the team will risk a 40-man roster spot to promote him.
Brandon Nimmo owners breathed a collective sigh of relief when his MRI revealed no major injury to his pinky finger. Nimmo will be day-to-day going forward and did not start on Monday as anticipated.
Chris Archer ’s session went well and he’s slated to pitch a simulated game on Thursday as he ramps up during his return from an abdominal strain. Carlos Carrasco also will throw a bullpen session this week.
Minnesota promoted Jake Cave and not Byron Buxton as many assumed. Buxton’s only three for 16 so far in his rehab games but does have a home run and two stolen bases in them.
Philadelphia placed Edubray Ramos on the 10-day disabled list with shoulder impingement and called up Héctor Neris .
Ronald Acuna will appear in the next set of games for Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate and could return to the team by Thursday if all goes well. When he does come back, it’s rumored Acuna will hit in the middle of the order (fourth?) with Ender Inciarte back on track atop the lineup.
Good news for Arizona fans and fantasy owners. Robbie Ray will return to the mound and start Wednesday in Miami. A.J. Pollock ’s been cleared to resume baseball activities and Steven Souza’s been cleared to start a rehab assignment.
Bad news for Kris Bryant owners, he will miss his third straight game with a balky shoulder. Willson Contreras also gets the day off for the Cubs in Los Angeles.
Gary Sánchez will miss three-to-four weeks due to his groin injury and the team hopes he will use the time to fully heal with an eye on a big second half from the slugging catcher.
Burning Questions
Will Cole Hamels fare well against the Padres at home?
How many Cardinals will Mike Clevinger strikeout?
Can Nelson Cruz stay hot at his old stomping grounds in Camden Yards?
Who wins a battle of southpaws with Gio González facing Blake Snell in Tampa?
Do Mike Foltynewicz and Shelby Miller pitch well during their returns from injury?
Be sure to check back in the morning for Fantasy Alarm’s Round Up which highlights all the fantasy information needed to stay ahead of your competition.
Statistical Credits:
MLB.com
Fangraphs.com
BaseballSavant.com
MiLB.com