Estevez gave up two runs on three hits in the ninth inning Tuesday to blow his first save of the season in a 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Rays. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Called upon to protect a 3-1 lead, Estevez got two quick outs before the wheels fell off, with a Jose Caballero triple tying up the game. The Angels then had multiple other chances to put the game away before eventually falling in 13 innings. The runs were the first Estevez has allowed this season, and he's gone 3-for-4 in converting save chances with a 5:0 K:BB over six innings.

Estevez earned a save over the Red Sox on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez had only a one-run lead to work with when he entered to face the heart of Boston's order in the ninth frame, but he handled the pressure with aplomb, retiring all three batters he faced on 15 pitches. That earned him his third save of the campaign, and so far he's been excellent with just one baserunner and zero runs allowed over three frames. Estevez struggled in the second half of last season but appears to have the closer role locked up for the Halos in 2024 given how he's performed so far.

Estevez allowed a hit in a scoreless inning and picked up a save over the Marlins on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez allowed a leadoff single but had no trouble working around it to finish off the 7-4 win. He's fired two scoreless frames to notch a pair of saves so far in 2024, but he's yet to strike a batter out. Estevez registered an 11.3 K/9 with 31 saves during the 2023 campaign.

Estevez picked up the save Sunday against the Orioles. He pitched a clean inning with no strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez calmly retired all three Orioles batters he faced Sunday to earn his first save of the season and 57th of his career. The 31-year-old reliever entered 2024 on the hot seat following the Angels' signing of Robert Stephenson over the winter. However, with Stephenson (shoulder) slated to be out until late April, Estevez should have no issue being the main saves target in the team's bullpen for now.

Angels manager Ron Washington recently confirmed that Estevez will be the team's closer, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

General manager Perry Minasian said in January following the signing of Robert Stephenson that he still viewed Estevez as the favorite to serve as the club's closer, and Washington has now given his stamp of approval. Estevez had a dominant first half in 2023, which netted him an All-Star nod before he regressed to a 6.59 ERA in the second half. Stephenson -- who signed a three-year, $33 million contract -- will be a threat to overtake Estevez after his dominant run with the Rays last season. Worth noting, though, is that Stephenson is dealing with a bit of shoulder soreness.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Tuesday that Estevez remains the team's closer on paper even after the Robert Stephenson signing, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Minasian did note, however, that the closer decision will ultimately be up to manager Ron Washington. Estevez was an All-Star in 2023 while notching 31 saves for the Angels, but he posted a 6.59 ERA after the All-Star break. Even if Estevez does indeed begin the season with the closer job, Stephenson will be a threat to usurp him.

Estevez picked up the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over Minnesota, striking out two over one inning while not allowing any hits or walks. He also hit a batter with a pitch.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth and hit Kyle Farmer with a pitch in the opening at-bat before getting the next two batters to go down swinging. The right-handed reliever was then able to retire Christian Vazquez on a flyout to secure his 31st save of the season, marking the first time in his last four appearances that he didn't allow any hits or walks. Estevez has converted two of his last three save opportunities and has not given up a home run since Aug. 3.

Estevez (5-5) blew the save and took the loss Thursday against the Rays. He allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one over 0.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez immediately ran into trouble allowing the first two batters (Harold Ramirez and Yandy Diaz) to reach via singles in the ninth inning. He was unable to stem the tide and eventually allowed the game-winning run to score via a Manuel Margot single. Before Thursday, Estevez had thrown four straight scoreless outings dating back to Sept. 5, his last blown save. He has 30 saves and four blown saves on the year.

Estevez struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez became the 10th member of the 30-save club this season, and he's done it in just 33 save opportunities. Aside from a blown save Tuesday versus the Orioles, he's been sharp lately -- he's allowed two runs, five hits and a walk while striking out nine over his last eight innings. For the season, he has a 3.41 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 71:28 K:BB through 58 innings as the Angels' primary closer. All three of his blown saves have come since the start of August, but he's also converted seven saves in that span for a team that's faded in the second half.

Estevez blew the save Tuesday against Baltimore. He allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Since starting the season 23-for-23 in save situations, Estevez has blown three of his last nine chances. While he still ranks in the top 10 in saves with 29, he's been rather unreliable as of late, owning a 9.00 ERA in 13 innings since the beginning of August. His struggles haven't resulted in any lost opportunities, but the Angels could look to give Jose Soriano or Aaron Loup some ninth-inning looks if Estevez doesn't round back into form.