Alex Lange works scoreless ninth for save

Lange was one out away from securing this save until Ty France launched a solo home run to tie the game. This came after Lange imploded and allowed five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Mets in his last outing before the All-Star break. It feels like his grasp on this closer role should be tenuous.

Lange got the call to protect a one-run lead in the final frame and needed just 15 pitches (10 strikes) to slam the door. He got Junior Caminero to fly out, struck out Ryan Vilade and coaxed a ground ball from speedster Chandler Simpson to end it. The 30-year-old appears to be the primary closing option for Kansas City at the moment, which gives him some appeal in deeper fantasy leagues.

Lange was called upon in the midst of a ninth inning rally by the Cardinals that turned this into a save opportunity. Then, he threw a wild pitch and set up Blaze Jordan for a two-run single that cut the Royals’ lead to one. The threat ended there, but we are certain Lange is not a lockdown closer after taking two losses in his last four appearances and letting at least one run come around to score in three of them.

The go-ahead run scored after Nick Loftin and Jac Caglianone combined to botch the back half of an easy double play. Lange fell to 0-4 on the season, but this won’t be held against him. He’s the current favorite for saves in the Kansas City pen.

Lange did issue a walk to open the inning, but he was able to keep that runner at bay without giving up a hit. That’s now four saves on the season for Lange, and he lowered his ERA to 3.90 on the process. His grasp on the closer role seems to be tenuous, but he’s done a solid job since inheriting the role.

That’s three saves in four days for Lange, all of them taking at least 20 pitches to get three outs. He threw 28 while giving up a double and hitting a batter today. There’s certainly no comfort to be had with Lange closing, given his wildness. He’s also already surrendered10 barrels this season, but since only two have turned into homers, he has a respectable 4.03 ERA. He’ll probably keep getting save chances until he blows at least one, but he shouldn’t be available Sunday. Maybe Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg will be the choice then.

Lange was called upon after the Royals scored twice in the top half of the ninth inning to take a two-run lead. He made things interesting, allowing a leadoff single to Victor Caratini and a two-out walk to Byron Buxton to put the tying runs on base, but battled back to get Brooks Lee on a ground ball to second base to end the ballgame. It’s his second save in the last three days and could signal that he could be the favorite for save chances going forward with Lucas Erceg continuing to struggle.

Lange allowed one hit and one walk as the Royals edged the Reds, 5-2. Lucas Erceg has struggled mightily as Kansas City’s closer lately, so there’s opportunity in this bullpen. Left-hander Daniel Lynch IV has been the team’s most effective reliever, but he worked the eighth before Lange entered. Lange had 26 saves for the Tigers back in 2023, but it would be a surprise if he fully took the role from here on out.

No word on the exact financial terms. It didn’t take Lange long to find a new opportunity after being released earlier this week by the division-rival Tigers. The 30-year-old former stopper recorded a 26-save campaign back in 2023 before injuries limited him to just 22 appearances over the past two seasons. His past high-leverage experience makes him an intriguing low-risk flier for Kansas City’s bullpen mix.

Lange went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment last week and will test the free agent waters. The 30-year-old former closer made just one relief appearance for the Tigers this past season and was limited to just 23 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level due to lat issues.