Monday’s slate featured two relievers taking the save lead in their respective leagues: Emmanuel Clase in the American and Ryan Helsley in the National. These two relievers are the first two to have 14 saves in 2024. Clay Holmes gave up his first earned runs of the season in a meltdown against Seattle, resulting in his second blown save. On the other side of this contest, Andrés Muńoz remained hot and secured his ninth save. Our condensed and full recaps cover these and the remaining high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BOS): Bouncing back from a rough outing on Saturday, Justin Slaten tossed two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two, preserving a combined shutout.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
(RP | CLE): Taking over the major league in saves, Emmanuel Clase recorded a clean top of the ninth, closing out a two-run win over the Mets.
(RP | KCR): Inheriting a bases-loaded situation in the eighth with two outs, Chris Stratton not only stranded all three runners, he was credited with his third save, firing 1.1 clean frames versus Detroit.
(RP | LAA): Working into, then out of trouble, Carlos Estévez held on for his seventh save despite giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk during a two-run win over Houston.
(RP | NYY): Suffering his first loss, and second blown save, Clay Holmes allowed four hits, four earned runs, and two walks over two-thirds of the ninth, ceding the three-run lead.
(RP | SEA): Preserving a comeback win over the Yankees, Andrés Muñoz shut the door on his ninth save, allowing a hit and striking out two.
(RP | TOR): Securing his eighth hold, Yimi García retired the side in the eighth, recording two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with two whiffs. This extended his scoreless streak to 14 games, during which he has posted 20 strikeouts versus five walks over 15.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Jordan Romano | Yimi García (HLR) | Erik Swanson
National League
(RP | ATL): After finishing a combined shutout and securing his 11th save, Raisel Iglesias pitched a clean ninth and struck out one, preserving a split during Game 2 of Monday’s doubleheader.
(RP | LAD): Daniel Hudson recorded two strikeouts while collecting his third save of the season after tossing a scoreless ninth against the Diamondbacks.
(RP | MIA): Navigating around a lead-off walk in the top of the tenth, Tanner Scott retired the next three batters for a scoreless outing and collected his fourth following a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning.
(RP | MIL): In the bottom of the ninth inning, Trevor Megill was tagged with a blown save, his first of the season. He gave up a full-count, two-out single, a stolen base, and an RBI bloop single, which tied the game. He threw 18 pitches (10 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs during his outing.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Elvis Peguero | Bryan Hudson
(RP | SDP): Recording his 13th save, Robert Suarez fired a clean bottom of the ninth during Game 1 in Atlanta, extending his scoreless streak to 17 games.
(RP | STL): Closing out his National League-leading 14th save and moving into a tie for the major league lead, Ryan Helsley tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, navigating around a two-out walk while preserving a three-run win over Baltimore.
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, May 21
CLE: Clase has appeared on consecutive days, and he’s capable of three-in-a-row, but the team may prefer resting him, which places Scott Barlow on the radar for the vulture save tonight.
LAD: Hudson became only the sixth Dodgers reliever, working three times in four days. He will not pitch tonight, which can confuse fantasy players based on their match-up-based approach. I’m leaning toward Blake Treinen, but Alex Vesia may also be in play.
NYY: Holmes has pitched in two straight, which may provide Luke Weaver with his first save chance tonight.
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, May 22
If these relievers pitch on Tuesday, it will be consecutive outings: Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, and Ryan Helsley.
If these relievers pitch on Tuesday, it will be three appearances in four days: Carlos Estévez, Tanner Scott, and Trevor Megill.
Game Recaps – American League
Cleveland Guardians – Becoming the first MLB reliever with 14 saves this season, Emmanuel Clase retired the side in the top of the ninth, preserving a two-run win over the Mets. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff. Through nine outings this month, he’s allowed an unearned run with nine strikeouts against one walk while converting six of seven save chances. Cade Smith fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his fifth hold. Scott Barlow turned in a clean seventh, recording one strikeout for his 11th hold. Nick Sandlin stranded two runners during one-third scoreless in the sixth, issuing a walk and striking out one, resulting in his fourth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Scott Barlow | Nick Sandlin
Kansas City Royals – Taking over at the top of the eighth, Chris Stratton stranded the bases-loaded, inducing an inning-ending groundout. He retired all four batters, one via strikeout, and was awarded his third save after quelling the messy situation in the eighth. He threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%). Tyler Duffey gave up a hit, an earned run, and three walks over two-thirds of the eighth before being pulled.
Adjusted Hierarchy: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Angel Zerpa
Los Angeles Angels – Surviving a white-knuckle ride in the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Estévez held on for his seventh save, closing out a two-run win in Houston. His outing began with a fly ball caught against the fence, then a one-out single and a groundout. With two outs, he gave up an RBI single by Kyle Tucker and walked Yordan Alvarez, bringing the game-tying run to the plate and inducing a game-ending flyout to center by Alex Bregman. Estévez threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This marked his first save since May 8. Hunter Strickland recorded his second hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one. Adam Cimber issued a walk during a scoreless seventh, securing his seventh hold. José Suarez logged two scoreless frames, allowing a walk and striking out one while collecting his first win.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Adam Cimber
New York Yankees – Representing the last reliever giving up an earned run, regression called for Clay Holmes on Monday night in the Bronx. He entered the ninth with a one-run lead before things unraveled. He suffered his first loss and second blown save, allowing four hits, four earned runs, and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. It began with a one-out single by Julio Rodríguez, followed by a walk, consecutive RBI singles, a walk, a sacrifice fly, and a go-ahead RBI hit by Ty France, prompting his removal. Caleb Ferguson stranded two runners while retiring his only batter in the ninth. Luke Weaver secured his sixth hold, retiring both batters in the eighth, one via strikeout. He owns an 11-game scoreless streak with 24 strikeouts versus two walks over his last 18 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Caleb Ferguson
Seattle Mariners – Capping a comeback win over the Yankees, Andrés Muñoz recorded a scoreless ninth, giving up a one-out single by Juan Soto and striking out two for his ninth save. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%) against the top of the lineup. He’s converted his last seven save opportunities and been scoreless in 10 of his past 11 appearances with 17 strikeouts against one walk over 13 innings. Eduard Bazardo collected his first win despite allowing a hit, an earned run, and a walk during his 1.2 innings of relief.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Gabe Speier
Game Recaps – National League
Atlanta Braves – Turning in a crisp ninth during Game 2, Raisel Iglesias notched his 11th save, firing a clean ninth and striking out one while closing out a combined shutout. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). This marked his second clean outing through seven games this month, though he’s converted four of five save chances. Pierce Johnson navigated around two hits for a scoreless eighth and his fourth hold.
Entering with two runners on and one out in the top of the seventh of Game 1, A.J. Minter let one score on an RBI single by Jackson Merrill while retiring two batters, one via strikeout for his sixth hold. Joe Jiménez suffered his first loss and first blown save, allowing three hits, four earned runs, and two walks in the top of the eighth. Daysbel Hernández worked a scoreless ninth, giving up and a walk as the 27th man in the doubleheader.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Joe Jiménez
Los Angeles Dodgers – Nailing down his third save, Daniel Hudson fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts during a two-run win over Arizona. He threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (20 SwStr%). He owns a modest five-game scoreless streak; this was his first save since May 8. Elieser Hernández served up two solo home runs in the eighth. Anthony Banda stranded a runner in the seventh despite giving up a hit during his two-thirds inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Daniel Hudson | *Blake Treinen | *Alex Vesia
*= closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – After navigating around a lead-off walk, Tanner Scott recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, a strikeout, and an inning-ending lineout for a scoreless top of the tenth. He collected his fourth win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the frame. He’s earned a win in three of his last four outings and has been scoreless in seven outings in May with nine strikeouts versus five walks over 7.1 innings. Andrew Nardi stranded two runners despite issuing a walk during his one-third of the ninth. Declan Cronin logged 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | A.J. Puk| Anthony Bender
San Diego Padres – Locking down his 13th save, Robert Suarez retired the side during Game 1 in Atlanta while facing the 6-7-8 lineup pocket. He only needed seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%) while extending his scoreless streak to 17 games, spanning 18 innings, with 15 strikeouts against four walks. Jeremiah Estrada continues forging a larger leverage share, notching his second hold with a clean eighth, striking out two. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. Jhony Brito collected his first win, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh, ahead of his team’s four-run rally in the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Jeremiah Estrada
St. Louis Cardinals – Securing his National League-leading 14th save, Ryan Helsley worked around a two-out walk for a scoreless ninth, preserving a three-run win over the Orioles. He threw nine pitches (55.6 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s allowed one unearned run over his last 15 appearances while converting 11 saves with 18 strikeouts against two walks over 15 innings. Andrew Kittredge retired his only batter and stranded a runner in the eighth for his 13th hold. John King gave up a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth, securing his second hold. JoJo Romero fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out one and notched his MLB-leading 16th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to Raisel Iglesias. Although he’s known for his change-up since joining Atlanta, his slider produced this swing, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
We published an updated tiered closer rankings ahead of Week 9 last night, in case you missed it.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Please consider becoming a premium subscriber for a one-time $20 donation to the site, featuring full-text emails with charts, column blurbs, and ad-free analysis.