There's been a bunch of closer turnover since last week. Let's see how the depth chart has played out.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Since May 18th, Mark Melancon has regained his rhythm over 16 appearances. He posted a 3.07 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 14.2 innings with 11 strikeouts, three wins, four saves, and one blown lead, upping his season total to 11 closed wins in 13 chances.
Ian Kennedy also picked up the pace over his last nine innings (3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts). Joe Mantiply saw his 16.1 inning shutout streak end on June 25th when he allowed three runs, three baserunners, and one home run over 1.1 innings against the Tigers.
Atlanta Braves
Kenley Jansen stumbled twice over the past week, leading to three runs, four baserunners, and a home run over three innings. Nevertheless, he secured two of his three save tries, giving him 20 saves in 24 opportunities on the year. Unfortunately, the Braves placed him on the injured list with an irregular heartbeat. They hope he returns in a couple of weeks.
Atlanta gave their first save chance without Jansen to A.J. Minter, who lived up to the tacks by tossing a clean inning with one strikeout. He struggled a bit over his previous five outings (three runs, six baserunners, and one home run over 4.1 innings with seven strikeouts). Overall, Minter has been sensational in 2022 (1.64 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over 33 innings with 44 strikeouts).
Will Smith has plenty of closing experience, and his left arm has looked better over the past three weeks (one run over 9.1 innings with 10 strikeouts). The Braves gave him a successful save opportunity on Wednesday night, giving him potentially a split role until Jansen returns.
Baltimore Orioles
Jorge Lopez is the waiver wire gift that keeps on giving in June. He improved his scoreless run to 17 innings, allowing only six hits and one walk with 16 strikeouts and nine saves. The growth in his command is well above expectations when considering his previous major league resume. Lopez is 13-for-15 in save situations with no home runs allowed over 36 innings.
Felix Bautista gave a run on June 28th over one-third of an inning, ending his shutout string at 14.2 innings with 16 strikeouts, three wins, and eight holds.
Boston Red Sox
Over the past 17 days, Tanner Houck picked up six saves with two runs allowed over 6.2 innings, highlighted by no walks and nine strikeouts. Unfortunately, he didn’t make the trip to Toronto, and it already cost Boston a potential win when Tanner Danish and Hansel Robles blew a two-run lead on Tuesday night. Houck has a 0.87 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over his previous 20.2 innings with 24 strikeouts.
Matt Strahm lost momentum over his last 9.1 innings, leading to seven runs, 19 baserunners, and one home run with 11 strikeouts. He has three saves, two blown saves, and nine holds on the year.
In June, John Schreiber tossed 11 shutout innings with 14 strikeouts and nine holds.
