Saturday’s slate was a wild one and included three walk-off victories. Relievers recorded eight wins and six saves while suffering seven losses.
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Andrés Muñoz | 14 | 21 | 57.1 | 4.8 | 1:0 |
| Emilio Pagán | 11 | 10 | 80 | 30 | 1:0 |
| Edwin Díaz | 10 | 17 | 58.8 | 5.9 | 2:0 |
| Ryan Helsley | 9 | 12 | 83.3 | 16.7 | 0:0 |
| Kenley Jansen | 8 | 16 | 81.3 | 0 | 0:0 |
| Seth Halvorsen | 2 | 14 | 50 | 0 | 0:1 |
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for May 18
- Justin Slaten (BOS): Chapman threw 25 pitches, so he may be unavailable in today’s contest.
- Luis Mey (CIN): Terry Francona may not thrust the rookie into a save chance, but it feels like a terrific spot against the White Sox at home. If not, Taylor Rogers could be in line since Pagán, Santillan, and Ashcraft have all worked on back-to-back games.
- Brock Burke (LAA): Jansen has pitched in consecutive games.
- Zach Agnos (COL): Halvorsen has appeared in back-to-back contests.
- Daysbel Hernández (ATL): It’s a long shot, but Iglesias was not available in the second game past consecutive appearances earlier this week.
Vulture Save Stashes for May 19
- Ryne Stanek (NYM): If Díaz pitches today, it’s consecutive appearances.
- Matt Brash (SEA): If Muñoz appears today, it’s back-to-back games.
- Phil Maton (STL): If Helsley pitches today, he will have appeared in two straight.
Three Takeaways
(1) Miller’s command: In his first 12 appearances, Mason Miller recorded ten saves with a pristine 23:2 K:BB (48.8 K-BB%). Of his 165 pitches, he posted a 69.1 strike percentage and a 58.1 percent first strike rate. However, over his last four outings, he has issued seven walks (one intentional) versus eight strikeouts (4.3 K-BB%) with a 57.4 strike percentage and a 52.2 percent first-strike rate. During a walk-off loss in San Francisco, he issued LaMonte Wade Jr. a lead-off walk, recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, and retired Tyler Fitzgerald via strikeout. With two outs, Miller intentionally walked Mike Yastrzemski, followed by a walk-off walk against Wilmer Flores, resulting in his second loss. He threw 20 pitches (55 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%).
He has allowed multiple walks in three of his last four games. This may be a blip, and some rust could have been involved since he last appeared on May 10, but it’s worth monitoring.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Tyler Ferguson | Grant Holman
(2) Yates to the IL? Summoned with a runner on second and one out at the top of the seventh, Kirby Yates suffered his second loss and second blown save. He gave up Jorge Soler’s RBI single, followed by Logan O’Hoppe’s two-run home run, a Luis Rengifo double, and a walk before being removed with a hamstring injury (IL stint likely). He finished with three hits, three earned runs, and a walk during his one-third of the inning. Luis García let one of two inherited runners score in one-third of the seventh. Tanner Scott fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). He last recorded a save on May 9. Alex Vesia allowed Matthew Lugo’s solo home run at the top of the ninth. This leaves an already thinned leverage ladder without a right-handed complement to Scott. For now:
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Luis García | Alex Vesia
(3) Cubs hierarchal preview? Although he warmed up for the save, Porter Hodge worked a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing a one-out Andrew Vaughn single and recording one strikeout, preserving a four-run win. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
He has a 1.503 WHIP with 19 strikeouts against 11 walks (9.5 K-BB%) through 19.1 innings. Daniel Palencia notched his fifth hold with a scoreless eighth. He gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts, extending his scoreless streak to ten games. Since April 23, he’s posted a 0.777 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus four walks (20.5 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings. Brad Keller tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one for his fifth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Porter Hodge | Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Boston Red Sox – Facing the heart of Atlanta’s lineup at the top of the ninth with the score tied, Aroldis Chapman worked around Marcell Ozuna’s one-out walk and Ozzie Albies’ two-out single by recording all three outs via strikeout. He collected his third win on a walk-off home run at the bottom of the inning. Chapman threw 25 pitches (64 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (12 SwStr%).
He has a 1.06 WHIP and 25 strikeouts against seven walks (25.7 K-BB%) in 17 innings.
- Garrett Whitlock tossed a scoreless eighth, walking one.
- Nick Burdi logged two scoreless frames, scattering four hits and walking one while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Greg Weissert
Cincinnati Reds – Shutting the door on his 11th save, Emilio Pagán retired the side against the Guardians’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket and recorded a strikeout, capping a bullpen game. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%).
His rebound season continues, and he has posted a 0.773 WHIP with 24 strikeouts against six walks (21.6 K-BB%) in 22 innings.
- Tony Santillan notched his 11th hold, working around a one-out hit by Nolan Jones for a scoreless eighth.
- Graham Ashcraft fired a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts for his seventh hold.
- Luis Mey was awarded his first major league win, tossing a clean sixth and striking out one on 16 pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Colorado Rockies – Capping a wild contest at Chase Field, Seth Halvorsen recorded his second save while matching up against the top of the lineup, allowing a two-out Lourdes Gurriel Jr. walk during a scoreless ninth. He threw 14 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff.
This marks his first save since March 29, and he’s been scoreless in five out of six appearances in May with six strikeouts versus three walks.
- Tyler Kinley allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth for his first hold.
- Zach Agnos retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the seventh, notching his second hold.
- Jake Bird was awarded his second win, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out two over two innings of relief.
Updated Hierarchy: Seth Halvorsen | Zach Agnos | Tyler Kinley
Detroit Tigers – Tasked with the bottom of the ninth during a tied contest, Brenan Hanifee suffered his first loss, giving up Daulton Varsho’s one-out double, an intentional walk, and inducing a George Springer groundout, followed by Ernie Clement’s walk-off RBI single.
- Will Vest was tagged with his second blown save, letting his only inherited runner score on Alejandro Kirk’s single before recording two outs, one via strikeout in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Tyler Holton was credited with his third hold despite issuing a lead-off walk at the bottom of the eighth, which resulted in the game-tying run, putting an earned run on his ledger over a combined inning of relief.
- Beau Brieske only retired one hitter and issued two walks, resulting in his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Vest | *Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
Los Angeles Angels – Pressed into duty at the bottom of the eighth with two runners on and two outs, Kenley Jansen thwarted the rally, inducing Michael Conforto’s inning-ending groundout. He returned for the ninth and recorded his eighth save, working around Will Smith’s pinch-hit one-out single by retiring Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts for his eighth save. He threw 16 pitches (13 strikes – 81.3 Strike%) without a whiff.
He has a 1.35 WHIP with 12 strikeouts across 13.1 innings.
- Ryan Zeferjahn struggled in the eighth, allowing three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the inning, getting credit for his fight hold.
- Reid Detmers was awarded his first win, giving up three hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two across two innings.
- Héctor Neris suffered his second blown save, yielding a hit, three earned runs, and two walks without retiring a batter in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Brock Burke | Ryan Zeferjahn
New York Mets – Preserving a one-run win over the Yankees, Edwin Díaz locked down his tenth save with a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, including a game-ending one of Aaron Judge. Díaz threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
He owns a modest seven-game scoreless streak, since April 26, with nine strikeouts against two walks. He’s posted a 1.06 WHIP with 26 strikeouts versus eight walks (24.6 K-BB%) across 18 innings.
- Reed Garrett collected his first win, navigating around a hit and three walks during a scoreless eighth.
- Huascar Brazobán tossed 1.2 scoreless frames and recorded one strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Ryne Stanek | Reed Garrett
San Francisco Giants – After tossing a scoreless top of the tenth, issuing Jacob Wilson a two-out walk, and recording two strikeouts, Camilo Doval collected his third win on his teammates’ walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 14 pitches (57.1 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
His scoreless streak reached 17 games, during which he’s recorded two wins, three saves, and six holds with 17 strikeouts versus five walks (21.8 K-BB%) across 16.1 innings.
- Ryan Walker fired a clean top of the ninth on seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) without a whiff against the A’s 5-6-7 lineup pocket.
- Tyler Rogers worked a clean seventh.
- Randy Rodríguez retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
Seattle Mariners – Forced into action at the bottom of the eighth with a runner at second and two outs, Andrés Muñoz retired Gavin Sheets via strikeout, then fired a clean bottom of the ninth, preserving a three-run win and recording his 14th save. This marked his first save requiring four or more outs this season after converting seven saves last year with four or more outs and 11 such appearances total. He has a 0.74 WHIP with 27 strikeouts against eight walks (24.7 K-BB%) through 20.1 innings.
- Casey Legumina allowed a hit and struck out one in two-thirds of the eighth for his second hold.
- Matt Brash fired a clean seventh, striking out one and securing his second hold.
- Gabe Speier collected his second win, tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit, and striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Casey Legumina | Matt Brash
St. Louis Cardinals – Preserving a 1-0 win and securing his ninth save, Ryan Helsley retired the side against the Royals’ 3-4-5 hitters on 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
He owns a 1.438 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against ten walks (8.6 K-BB%) through 16 innings. He’s on a modest five-game scoreless streak and recorded a save in each.
- Kyle Leahy logged two scoreless frames and scattered two hits while posting his tenth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | Kyle Leahy
Texas Rangers – Finishing a four-run win over Houston, Robert Garcia retired the 6-7-8 lineup pocket in order on 14 pitches (57.1 Strike%) without a whiff. He remains unscored through all seven outings in May, during which he recorded four strikeouts versus one walk with a 0.667 WHIP over six innings.
- Chris Martin fired a clean eighth, throwing seven pitches (71.4 Strike%).
- Jacob Webb was credited with his fifth hold, allowing two walks and recording two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh.
- Luke Jackson was warming up for the ninth in the event of a save opportunity.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Jackson | Chris Martin | Robert Garcia
Toronto Blue Jays – Entering a tied game at the top of the ninth, Jeff Hoffman navigated around a lead-off walk with a flyout double play, with Gleyber Torres being thrown out at second, then induced an inning-ending groundout against Kerry Carpenter. Hoffman collected his fourth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 10 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (20 SwStr%).
He has a 1.18 WHIP with 31 strikeouts against five walks (30.9 K-BB%) in 20.1 innings.
- Yimi García retired the side in the eighth on eight pitches, all strikes.
- Chad Green worked a scoreless seventh, allowing a walk.
- Brendon Little tossed a clean seventh, recording two strikeouts.
- Yariel Rodríguez logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Ryan Thompson suffered his first loss and second blown save, allowing five hits and three earned runs while striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh.
- Atlanta Braves: Called upon with two runners in scoring position and two outs at the bottom of the eighth, Pierce Johnson allowed Jarren Duran’s game-tying two-RBI single and recorded his only out on a caught stealing. In the ninth, he gave up Rafael Devers’ walk-off home run, resulting in his first loss and a blown save.
- Cleveland Guardians: In order of appearance, Cade Smith let his only inherited runner score on an Austin Hays’ double and retired his other three batters via strikeout at the bottom of the sixth. Jakob Junis allowed two hits, including Rece Hinds’ solo home run, and recorded a strikeout in the seventh. Emmanuel Clase gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two during two-thirds of the eighth. He threw 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
- New York Yankees: After stranding a runner on third at the top of the eighth with an inning-ending strikeout, Fernando Cruz returned for the ninth and issued a one-out walk, allowed Brett Baty’s single, then hit a batter, loading the bases. Francisco Lindor produced a go-ahead sacrifice fly, resulting in Cruz’s second loss. He finished 1.1 innings, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one.
- San Diego Padres: Entering a tied game at the top of the seventh, Adrian Morejon suffered his second loss, allowing two hits, including Cal Raleigh’s go-ahead solo home run, and recorded one strikeout in one-third of the inning.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Completing a combined shutout, Pete Fairbanks retired the side against Miami’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket, throwing 10 pitches (80 Strike%) without a whiff. He has a 1.22 WHIP with 16 strikeouts versus nine walks (9.1 K-BB%) through 18 innings.
Notes of Interest
- Baltimore Orioles: Perhaps clearing his last hurdle, Andrew Kittredge appeared in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday at Triple-A during his rehab assignment. He could be activated as soon as Monday, shoring up a struggling leverage ladder ahead of Félix Bautista.
- Los Angeles Angels: During his rehab outing at Single-A, Robert Stephenson collected a win while working a clean fourth inning and recording a strikeout against fellow major leaguer Teoscar Hernández, also on his minor league rehab assignment.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Those hoping Michael Kopech could return and help his injury-riddled bullpen, he has a 5.40 WHIP with three strikeouts against six walks through three appearances at Triple-A.
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