Wednesday’s slate provided three reliever wins and seven saves against three losses. There were two complete games, providing bullpens much-needed rest. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| David Bednar | 13 | 8 | 61.5 | 23.1 | 2:0 |
| Aroldis Chapman | 12 | 11 | 72.7 | 27.3 | 2:0 |
| Devin Williams | 8 | 8 | 62.5 | 25 | 1:0 |
| Shelby Miller | 7 | 14 | 71.4 | 28.6 | 2:0 |
| Alex Vesia | 3 | 14 | 71.4 | 28.6 | 3:0 |
| Reid Detmers | 2 | 10 | 80 | 20 | 2:0 |
| Yariel Rodríguez | 1 | 10 | 60 | 0 | 1:0 |
With 14 teams off today, the save streamers have a light schedule:
Vulture Save Options for June 12
- Randy Rodríguez (SF): He was warming during the ninth last night and Doval has appeared in back-to-back games.
- Victor Vodnik (COL): Agnos has worked in consecutive games. If the Rockies have a lead, I’m playing a hunch on Vodnik over Seth Halvorsen, but it will be one or the other if a save opportunity arises.
Vulture Save Stashes for June 13
- Griffin Jax (MIN): If Durán pitches tonight, it’s consecutive contests.
- Isaac Mattson (PIT): If Bednar gets used tonight, it will be back-to-back outings.
Three Takeaways
(1) Dave Roberts and fluidity: Playoff usage patterns surfaced during a victory over the Padres. Alex Vesia retired the 7-8-9 lineup pocket at the bottom of the ninth, striking out the side on 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generating four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%) for his third save. It’s his first save since May 30, and he’s amid a six-game scoreless streak. Tanner Scott faced the 4-5-6 hitters during a clean eighth, striking out one. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). Anthony Banda inherited a bases-loaded situation and retired both batters, securing his second hold. Michael Kopech took a walk on the wild side, issuing three walks while recording one out in the seventh, throwing only seven of his 19 pitches for strikes (36.8 Strike%), but was credited with his first hold. Kirby Yates stranded a runner and retired his only batter, notching his tenth hold. Lou Trivino worked a scoreless fifth and recorded a strikeout en route to his second win. With relievers getting healthy, Scott was deployed against the tougher lineup pocket in the eighth, and Vesia worked the ninth. Plans were likely altered when Kopech’s lack of command surfaced, but fantasy managers must remain patient if they are using relievers for saves in this leverage ladder.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Michael Kopech | Kirby Yates
*= closer-by-committee using a match-up-based approach.
(2) Airbender finding form and Weaver’s ramping up: Pressed into duty with a runner on and one out at the bottom of the ninth, Devin Williams retired both batters, one via strikeout, preserving the three-run victory and recording his eighth save. He threw eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (25 SwStr%).
He has converted all four save chances since May 27 and has been scoreless in his last two. Also, this update about Luke Weaver surfaced yesterday:
How Aaron Boone structures the bullpen upon his return will be intriguing. Will Weaver resume closer duties or be the HLR (highest-leverage reliever) as projected during the preseason?
(3) Doval deals with traffic again: While Camilo Doval was warming up for the save opportunity, his teammates tacked on three runs during the top of the ninth. He took over in the ninth with a five-run lead and issued a lead-off walk, followed by a double play groundout. However, with two outs, he gave up Hunter Goodman’s solo home run and consecutive singles before inducing a game-ending Orlando Arcia groundout. Doval finished with three hits, an earned run, and a walk on 26 pitches (12 strikes – 46.2 Strike percentage) with two whiffs (7.7 SwStr%). Here is his pitch illustrator:
And his results:
Through seven appearances in June, he has a 2.329 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus six walks (5.5 K-BB%) in 7.1 innings. The good news is that he has converted four of five save chances, but the rise in contact combined with command struggles may put him back on the hot seat soon. Stay tuned.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Arizona Diamondbacks – Back atop his hierarchy, Shelby Miller worked around Donovan Solano’s two-out single with a game-ending strikeout, sealing the three-run margin and his seventh save. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%) while striking out two.
He has converted a save in two of his last three outings and extended his scoreless streak to seven games.
- Jalen Beeks gave up a hit during a scoreless eighth for his eighth hold.
- Juan Morillo stranded a runner despite issuing a walk during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks | Juan Morillo
Boston Red Sox – Showing no signs of fatigue, Aroldis Chapman fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts while nailing down his 12th save. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%) against the Rays’ 8-9-1 lineup pocket, appearing for the fourth time in the past five days.
He has converted all four save chances in June, giving up an unearned run and posted a 0.377 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus one walk (38.8 K-BB%) over 5.1 innings.
- Greg Weissert navigated around two inherited runners with a caught stealing and a strikeout despite allowing a hit and a walk, getting credit for his 12th hold.
- Justin Wilson hit a batter and gave up a hit during one-third of the eighth for his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Greg Weissert | Justin Wilson
Colorado Rockies – It was another rough finish for the Rockies’ bullpen. Ryan Rolison was summoned at the top of the ninth with two runners on and one out, letting both score while giving up two hits during his two-thirds of an inning.
- Zach Agnos took over in the eighth, stranding one of two inherited runners. However, he allowed a hit, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one during his combined inning. He’s given up at least a run in four consecutive appearances (10 earned runs in his last 3.1 innings).
- Tyler Kinley suffered his third loss and third blown save on four hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out one. He has allowed at least a run in three of his last four (8 earned runs across 3.1 innings).
Updated Hierarchy: *Seth Halvorsen | *Victor Vodnik | Zach Agnos
Los Angeles Angels – Filling in capably for Kenley Jansen, Reid Detmers recorded his second save in as many days, retiring the side and recording two strikeouts at the top of the ninth, closing a one-run win over The Athletics. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Since May 20, he has turned in 11 straight scoreless appearances, recording a win, two saves, and six holds with 0.545 WHIP, striking out 18 over 11 innings.
- Connor Brogdon allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth for his first hold.
- Brock Burke stranded a runner, walking and striking out one during one-third of the seventh.
- Ryan Zeferjahn gave up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in his two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his 13th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Reid Detmers | Ryan Zeferjahn
Pittsburgh Pirates – Locking down his ninth save, David Bednar fired a clean top of the ninth while recording two strikeouts, preserving a three-run win over Miami. He threw 13 pitches (61.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to eight games, during which he has posted a win, converted five saves, and a 0.25 WHIP with 11 strikeouts (42.3 K-BB%) through eight innings.
- Caleb Ferguson notched his seventh hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Dennis Santana stranded two runners at the top of the sixth and retired all four batters, two via strikeout for his ninth hold.
- Braxton Ashcraft gets credit for his second hold despite giving up a hit, an earned run, and two walks during one-third of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Dennis Santana | Caleb Ferguson
Toronto Blue Jays – Securing his first career save, Yariel Rodríguez fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, preserving a three-run lead in St. Louis. He faced the 8-9-1 lineup pocket and threw 10 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff.
Since May 7, he has been scoreless in 13 of 14 appearances, posting a win, a 0.526 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts against three walks (26.9 K-BB%) through 19 innings.
- Brendon Little gave up a hit and a walk while striking out three in a scoreless eighth, getting his 13th hold.
- Spencer Turnbull was awarded his first win, tossing two scoreless innings, giving up two hits, and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yariel Rodríguez | Chad Green
Quick Hits
- Cleveland Guardians: Getting in work in a non-save situation, Emmanuel Clase finished a nine-run win over the Reds with a scoreless ninth. He allowed Elly De La Cruz’s lead-off single and hit Christian Encarnacion-Strand with a pitch, then bore down, retiring the next three batters, including a game-ending strikeout. Clase threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%). He has converted all four save opportunities during his current seven-game scoreless streak while recording a 0.714 WHIP with eight strikeouts (29.6 K-BB%) across seven innings.
- Minnesota Twins: Working around a one-out double, Jhoan Durán completed a four-run win over the Rangers with a scoreless ninth and recorded one strikeout. He threw 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in six of his last seven appearances with a 0.714 WHIP and eight strikeouts versus one walk (27 K-BB%) over seven innings.
- San Diego Padres: Taking over at the top of the fifth, Adrian Morejon induced an inning-ending groundout against Shohei Ohtani. However, he returned for the sixth, allowing Freddie Freeman’s one-out single, and was removed. Jeremiah Estrada entered and walked Will Smith, followed by giving up Teoscar Hernández’s go-ahead three-run home run, resulting in Morejon’s third loss.
- The Athletics: Rough outings for the relievers began with Grant Holman. He took over with two runners on and one out at the bottom of the sixth. He did not retire a batter, allowing a hit, three earned runs, a hit batter, and a walk before being removed, resulting in his second loss and second blown save. Osvaldo Bido gave up four hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out three across 2.2 innings.
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