Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Records another save Thursday
Rotowire
Alzolay tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to record the save in Thursday's win over the Reds. He didn't allow any hits or walks, and struck out two.
Alzolay continued his good recent stretch, as he's now recorded seven straight scoreless outings, a span of 7.2 innings. He's a perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities in that time and has 13 saves overall this season in 14 chances. Alzolay also has a tidy 2.27 ERA, and his strong play should keep him locked into the closer role for the Cubs moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Earns four-out save
Rotowire
Alzolay allowed two hits over 1.1 scoreless innings Friday, striking out one and picking up a save against St. Louis.
Alzolay put two runners on base with no outs in the ninth inning but escaped with his 12th save of the year in a 3-2 victory. He's converted eight straight save opportunities since his last blown chance July 4. During that span, he's given up just two runs over 10 innings. Alzolay lowered his ERA to 2.33 and has a strong 52:7 K:BB through 46.1 frames.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Earns another save
Rotowire
Alzolay pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.
A night after striking out the side to record a save, Alzolay retired the White Sox in order again to register his 11th save of the season in 12 chances. The righty is settling in as the Cubs' closer and should have decent job security at this point given his strong 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 45 innings, to go along with 51 strikeouts.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Shuts door Tuesday
Rotowire
Alzolay struck out all three batters he faced to record the save in Tuesday's win over the White Sox.
With the Cubs up 7-3 in the ninth inning, Michael Fulmer was used to start the frame. However, after he allowed the first two batters to reach, Alzolay was called on to put out the fire. The righty did so in quick order, striking out the side on 12 pitches. Alzolay has been a bright spot for the Cubs with 10 saves in 11 chances to go with a 2.45 ERA and 51 strikeouts across 44 innings. He looks to be getting more and more comfortable in the closer role.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Grabs another save Saturday
Rotowire
Alzolay pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's win over the Cardinals. He allowed one hit and struck out two.
Alzolay recorded a save for the second straight day and now has nine of them this season. The righty has clearly moved ahead of Mark Leiter for closer duties, with the latter working the eighth inning again Saturday. Alzolay has looked comfortable in the role with a 2.51 ERA and 10.0 K/9 this year, and he should continue to see the bulk of the save opportunities for the Cubs.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Secures eighth save
Rotowire
Alzolay picked up the save Friday against St. Louis, tossing a scoreless ninth inning. He didn't record a walk or strikeout.
Alzolay entered with a one-run lead and proceeded to retire Lars Nootbaar and Paul Goldschmidt in order before Nolan Arenado reached on a fielding error. Alzolay then plunked Willson Contreras to put the go-ahead run on base but secured the save by retiring Tyler O'Neill. The right-hander has run away with the Cubs' closing job since May 6, going 7-for-8 in save chances while posting a 28:4 K:BB across 26.1 innings during that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Ends first half with save
Rotowire
Alzolay pitched a perfect ninth inning to record the save in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Yankees.
Alzolay made quick work of the Yankees on seven pitches, giving him his seventh save of the season in eight chances. The righty has excelled in a relief role this year after working as a starter earlier in his career. Alzolay now has a 2.29 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 43 strikeouts across 39.1 innings. He should continue to serve as Chicago's closer after the upcoming All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Notches sixth save
Rotowire
Alzolay gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his sixth save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Yankees.
He needed 10 pitches (seven strikes) to complete the shutout after Jameson Taillon gave up only one hit over the first eight frames. Over his last 14 appearances, Alzolay has a 1.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 21:2 K:BB through 14.2 innings while converting five of six save chances, and the 28-year-old appears to have separated himself from the pack in the Chicago bullpen -- no other Cub has recorded a save in the last month.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Bounces back to record save
Rotowire
Alzolay worked a perfect ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Brewers. He struck out two.
It didn't look like Alzolay would be needed Wednesday, but the Cubs hung three runs on Devin Williams in the top of the ninth inning to take a 4-3 lead. Alzolay then made quick work of the Brewers in the bottom half, striking out the first two hitters before getting Christian Yelich to fly out. The righty blew his first save of the season a night earlier, but he's been good overall with a 2.41 ERA and 42 strikeouts across 37.1 innings this year. He should remain Chicago's top closing option moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Blows save in Milwaukee
Rotowire
Alzolay was charged with a blown save Tuesday against the Brewers after he gave up two runs on four hits and no walks over 1.1 innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander allowed an inherited runner to score before closing out the eighth inning, and he returned for the ninth but was unable to maintain a 6-4 advantage for his first blown save of the year. Alzolay went from late May to late June without giving up a run in 10 appearances, but he's now surrendered four runs (three earned) in his past two outings. The 28-year-old leads Chicago with four saves and should continue splitting closing duties with Mark Leiter.
Alzolay picked up the save Saturday against Baltimore. He struck out two over a scoreless inning while walking one and not allowing any hits.
Alzolay entered the game to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and got the first two batters to go down swinging before issuing a walk to Austin Hays. However, he made short work of Adley Rutschman in the next at-bat, getting him to ground out on a four-seamer to end the contest. It marked Alzolay's fourth save this season, and he has not allowed a run over eight appearances since May 21.
Alzolay struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Giants.
Alzolay has been in the high-leverage mix throughout the season, and he's now logged two saves and a hold over his last six appearances (6.1 innings). The right-hander continues to be effective in relief for the Cubs with a 2.10 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 30:4 K:BB through 30 innings overall. Mark Leiter, who is also in the closer committee, pitched 1.1 innings Friday to earn his 10th hold of the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Works eighth inning Friday
Rotowire
Alzolay pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Friday's 2-1 win over the Padres. He struck out one.
Alzolay recently earned a two-inning save for the Cubs, but he was back in a setup role Friday, with Mark Leiter working the ninth for the save. With Brad Boxberger (forearm) out, Alzolay and Leiter should both continue to see high-leverage work, which gives each of them a boost in fantasy appeal, at least in the short term.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Works two innings for save
Rotowire
Alzolay pitched two perfect innings to record the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Rays. He struck out four.
The Cubs' bullpen was rested after Marcus Stroman went all nine innings Monday, but the team still elected to close things out with Alzolay instead of Mark Leiter, who worked the seventh inning. With Brad Boxberger (forearm) on the injured list, Leiter has seemingly been the favorite for saves, though Alzolay remains in the mix and now has two saves this year. His strong performance Tuesday could help him see more opportunities moving forward.
