Ty Madden allowed three runs on two hits in six innings in a bulk relief role against the Royals on Saturday.

Madden also struck out five and walked two while posting a 29 percent CSW and a 60 percent strike rate overall. Madden was really efficient in two-strike counts, thanks to a slider and cutter combination that each had a 17 percent swinging strike rate to right-handers. Interestingly, his slider was over two mph slower than his last outing, with almost three inches more drop. The pitch was really effective today, so perhaps some tweaks are happening here. All of the damage against Madden came in one inning when he allowed a single, a walk, and a three-run home run. We would still be really cautious with him next week against the Blue Jays.