Tuesday was a slippery slate, especially for those with Ryan Pressly on their roster. Relievers recorded eighth wins, though blown saves accompanied two, and only converted four saves while suffering eight losses. Today’s takeaways feature the Cubs’ closer’s declining whiff rates, the Giants closer getting tagged with a blown save, and Milwaukee’s adjusted hierarchy.
Three Takeaways
(1) Pressly back on the “hot seat:” Entering at the top of the 11th, things escalated quickly for Ryan Pressly.
He finished with five hits, a hit batter, nine runs (eight earned), and a walk without recording an out. His WHIP ballooned to 1.92, and he’s only recorded five strikeouts against eight walks (-4.8 K-BB%) through 13 innings. Craig Counsell cited his closer had allowed one unearned run over his previous ten appearances with a 0.90 WHIP and four strikeouts against three walks.
From Jordan Bastian’s game recap for MLB.com:
When viewing the results chart from Statcast, Pressly’s right, he was hitting his spots:
Instead of focusing on this outing, I think the lack of whiffs must be addressed. Expanding the sample size to include his last statistical year (365 days), 2024, and his career rates, here are some intriguing numbers:
| Statistic | 2025 | Last 365 | 2024 | Career |
| SwStr% | 5.7 | 10.5 | 12.6 | 13.4 |
| Contact% | 87.4 | 78.8 | 74.7 | 72.7 |
| K-BB% | -4.8 | 8.7 | 16.4 | 18.3 |
| WHIP | 1.92 | 1.39 | 1.34 | 1.18 |
| SIERA | 5.50 | 3.38 | 4.17 | 3.22 |
For the visual crowd, his rolling game chart from Fangraphs:
Fantasy managers with Pressly have no quick fix or easy answer. If possible, stash Porter Hodge if Pressly’s swinging strike percentage does not improve and his fifth-worst hard-hit percentage (56.3 percent) remains. Counsell can be stubborn, as his faith in Héctor Neris last season proved, but from a fantasy lens, the current Cubs’ closer sits on the hot seat. This feels like it will eventually be Hodge taking over.
Hierarchy Remains (for now): Ryan Pressly | Porter Hodge | Daniel Palencia
(2) Walker’s hold? Capping a wild contest, Kyle Harrison retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the 11th, his first MLB relief appearance. Erik Miller collected his second win and a blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings. Ryan Walker was credited with his second hold despite allowing a hit, two earned runs, and two walks with two strikeouts during two-thirds of the ninth. He departed with two runners on after throwing 25 pitches (60 Strike%) with three whiffs.
This snapped his three-game scoreless streak. Tyler Rogers retired the side for his eighth hold in the eighth inning. Camilo Doval fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his fourth hold.
It’s been a tumultuous start to 2025 for Walker, and he remains atop the leverage ladder, but his next few outings may determine how strong of a grip on the closer role he has. Unlike Pressly, Walker’s underlying metrics suggest there has been some bad luck, evidenced by his .371 batting average on balls in play versus a career .306 rate. He’s also produced a 19.3 K-BB percentage and has a 2.89 SIERA and 3.41 xERA. Better days lie ahead, but better results must ensue or fantasy managers will grow impatient.
Hierarchy Remains (for now): Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
(3) Adjusted Brewers’ hierarchy: Preserving a one-run margin, Trevor Megill secured his fourth save, retiring the side against Houston’s 6-7-8 hitters on six pitches, all strikes, with three whiffs (50 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 1.35 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus six walks (17.8 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings. Nick Mears stranded two runners while retiring his only batter in the eighth for his fifth hold. He’s been scoreless in six straight appearances and has stranded his last nine inherited runners. Abner Uribe gave up a hit and two walks while striking out one during a combined inning of relief for his ninth hold, extending his scoreless streak to six.
It may be flying a bit below the radar, but Mears leads the bullpen in Win Probability Added:
If this continues, he may move up the pecking order and be in line for ancillary save chances.
Updated Hierarchy: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Nick Mears
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for May 7
- Porter Hodge (CHC): Pressly threw 26 pitches last night.
- Kirby Yates (LAD): Scott has appeared in consecutive contests, though Evan Phillips could be in play if his lineup lane bats in the ninth.
- Camilo Doval (SF): Walker struggled yesterday, throwing 25 pitches.
Vulture Save Stashes for May 8
- Pierce Johnson (ATL): If Iglesias pitches today, it will be four appearances in five days.
Doubleheader Options
- Detroit Tigers: Preferred vulture – Tyler Holton; YOLO – Beau Brieske
- Colorado Rockies: Preferred vulture – Seth Agnos; YOLO – Seth Halvorsen
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
Atlanta Braves
After retiring the side and recording two strikeouts at the top of the tenth, Raisel Iglesias collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw seven pitches, all strikes, and generated three whiffs (42.9 SwStr%) facing the Reds’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket.
He’s on a modest four-game scoreless streak and has posted a 0.93 WHIP with 17 strikeouts versus two walks (27.8 K-BB%) through 14 innings.
- Rafael Montero tossed a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one.
- Daysbel Hernández gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out three in the eighth.
- Pierce Johnson stranded two runners, retiring his only batter via strikeout in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Daysbel Hernández | Dylan Lee
Chicago White Sox
Handed a one-run lead, Cam Booser suffered his third loss and a second blown save. His outing began by issuing a lead-off walk, a leverage no-no, followed by Drew Waters reaching on an error and Freddy Fermin loading the bases on a bunt single. After inducing a pop-out, Booser gave up Jonathan India’s game-tying RBI single and Bobby Witt Jr.’s game-winning RBI single. He finished with three hits against, two runs (one earned), and a walk over one-third of the ninth.
- Jordan Leasure stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the eighth, securing his fourth hold.
- Steven Wilson gets credit for his third hold, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one during his 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jordan Leasure | *Cam Booser | *Steven Wilson
*= closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds
With the score tied at the bottom of the tenth, Lyon Richardson took over and intentionally walked Austin Riley before giving up Marcell Ozuna’s walk-off RBI single, resulting in his first loss.
Emilio Pagán suffered his second blown save, issuing Sean Murphy a lead-off walk, recording a strikeout, and then allowing Michael Harris II’s game-tying RBI double.
This snapped his steak of four consecutive saves secured, and he has a 0.61 WHIP with 18 strikeouts versus four walks (23.7 K-BB%) over 16.1 innings.
- Tony Santilan stranded two runners in the seventh and logged two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two.
- Graham Ashcraft gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a combined inning of relief.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Los Angeles Dodgers
Suffering his second loss, J.P. Feyereisen issued an intentional walk (Kyle Stowers) and allowed two hits, including Jesús Sánchez’s walk-off RBI single without recording an out at the bottom of the tenth.
Tanner Scott fired a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout on 10 pitches (70 Strike%) with one whiff.
He’s been scoreless in his last five appearances and has a 0.85 WHIP with 17 strikeouts versus one walk (25.4 K-BB%) across 17.2 innings.
- Anthony Banda navigated around two hits and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Alex Vesia tossed a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out three.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tanner Scott | *Kirby Yates | *Evan Phillips
*= match-up-based approach with a primary save share
Miami Marlins
Taking over a tied game at the top of the ninth, Jesús Tinoco allowed a walk (intentional – Freddie Freeman) and recorded two strikeouts over two scoreless frames. He collected his second win on a walk-off at the bottom of the tenth. He threw 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.3 Strike%) and induced three whiffs.
He has a 1.24 WHIP with eight strikeouts and four walks (8.7 K-BB%) through 11.1 innings.
- Anthony Bender worked a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one.
- Calvin Faucher let his only inherited runner score on Shohei Ohtani’s game-tying RBI double, resulting in his second blown save. Faucher finished with a hit and a strikeout over two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Jesús Tinoco | Anthony Bender
*= closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners
Securing his first career save, Carlos Vargas recorded two strikeouts at the top of the ninth, allowed consecutive singles, then induced a gam-ending flyout by Seth Brown. He threw 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%) after throwing 34 pitches on Monday.
- Collin Snider let one of two inherited runners score, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two at the top of the eighth, collecting his first win.
- Gabe Speier gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in one-third of an inning between the seventh and eighth.
- Matt Brash took over in the seventh, allowing a hit, a hit batter, and a walk over two-thirds scoreless.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Carlos Vargas | Matt Brash
Washington Nationals
(Game 1) – Kyle Finnegan bent but did not break, recording his 12th save of the season and the 100th of his career. He allowed two hits and a sacrifice fly, scoring an earned run while closing out a one-run win. He threw 19 pitches (15 strikes – 78.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
He’s posted a 1.43 WHIP with 15 strikeouts versus seven walks (12.5 K-BB%) in 14.2 innings.
- Jorge López had his five-game scoreless streak snapped, resulting in his second blown save, allowing three hits, both inherited runners to score, and an earned run during his 1.2 innings. He also collected his fifth win of the season across his last seven appearances.
- Jose A. Ferrer struggled, giving up four hits, five earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the seventh.
- Andrew Chafin notched his second hold, stranding a runner. He gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Jose A. Ferrer | Jorge López
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Closing a four-run win over the Mets, Shelby Miller navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one, throwing 26 pitches (12 strikes – 46,2 Strike%) with one whiff. Kevin Ginkel tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) with two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
- Cleveland Guardians: A rare meltdown for Cade Smith in Game 1. He took over following his team’s six-run rally at the top of the seventh and gave up three hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of an inning. He was tagged with his first loss and a blown save. Hunter Gaddis let both inherited runners score, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the seventh.
- Kansas City Royals: Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Taylor Clarke collected his first win. He took over at the top of the eighth and stranded two runners while logging 1.1 scoreless frames. He threw nine pitches (7 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Los Angeles Angels: Newly promoted Héctor Neris stranded two runners at the top of the eighth, striking out Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement, then earned his first win courtesy of a six-run rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Kenley Jansen was “under the weather” but should be available on Wednesday.
- New York Yankees: Forced into action at the top of the seventh, Fernando Cruz took over with two runners on and one out. After retiring Jose Iglesias, he allowed Fernando Tatis Jr.’s RBI double, scoring one inherited runner, and issued a walk before an inning-ending strikeout of Manny Machado. Cruz collected his first win due to his teammates’ ten-run outburst at the bottom of the frame.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: During a one-run loss, David Bednar fired a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded one strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in six outings since April 19 with nine strikeouts against one walk (26.7 K-BB%) across eight innings. Dennis Santana worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- San Diego Padres: Taking over at the bottom of the seventh, Adrian Morejon suffered his first loss and second blown save against the Yankees. He gave up three hits, four earned runs, and a walk while recording one out.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Filling in capably, Gordon Graceffo notched his first career save, retiring the side against the Pirates’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket on six pitches (83.3 Strike%) with two whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). Steven Matz secured his second hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth, throwing 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) with three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
- Tampa Bay Rays: Entering at the top of the fifth with two runners on and one out, Mason Montgomery had Trea Turner reach on a fielder’s choice, loading the bases, then induced an inning-ending lineout double play against Bryce Harper.
- Texas Rangers: Closing a five-run win, Chris Martin tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, giving up a hit and striking out two on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Robert Garcia retired both batters via strikeout, throwing eight pitches (75 Strike%) and inducing one whiff.
- The Athletics: Appearing in a fourth straight game, Tyler Ferguson suffered his first loss and second blown save at the top of the ninth in Seattle. After issuing Jorge Polanco a one-out walk, he allowed a single. He hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch, loading the bases, followed by Cal Raleigh’s pinch-hit go-ahead two-RBI single, then a sacrifice fly before his removal. Ferguson finished with two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning.
- Toronto Blue Jays: A rare rough outing for Jeff Hoffman during the bottom of the eighth against the Angels. He let both inherited runners score, allowing Logan O’Hoppe’s RBI single, Yoán Moncada’s three-run home run, and Jo Adell’s two-out solo shot. Hoffman finished with three hits against and three earned runs over one-third of an inning. Despite this, he has a 0.84 WHIP with 23 strikeouts versus two walks (33.3 K-BB%) over 16.2 innings. Yimi García was tagged with his second loss and third blown save, giving up a hit, three earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the eighth.
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