Tuesday provided its moments of high-leverage intrigue, but included nine games decided by four runs or more. Relievers recorded five wins and four saves while suffering five losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB | BF |
| Emilio Pagán | 17 | 18 | 50 | 16.7 | 2:2 | 5 |
| Emmanuel Clase | 15 | 20 | 70 | 15 | 1:1 | 6 |
| Tanner Scott | 14 | 13 | 69.2 | 7.7 | 1:0 | 3 |
| Daniel Palencia | 7 | 11 | 63.6 | 9.1 | 1:0 | 4 |
Only the reliever working in a third straight game turned in the only clean save on the slate. For the save streamers, a light forecast:
Vulture Save Option for June 18
- Kirby Yates (LAD): Scott has pitched in three-straight contests, and Kopech in three of the last four. Alex Vesia could also factor in based on lineup pockets, but hedging on Yates.
Vulture Save Stashes for June 19
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL): If Bautista pitches today, it’s back-to-back games.
- Tony Santillan (CIN): He has appeared in three of the previous four and should be unavailable today. If Pagán pitches today, it will be consecutive outings.
- Yariel Rodríguez (TOR): If Hoffman works in today’s contest, it will be consecutive appearances.
Three Takeaways
(1) Scott silences his critics: Not only did Tanner Scott lock down his 14th save, he retired San Diego’s 3-4-5 hitters in order while recording one strikeout. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket.
In his last eight games, he has posted a win, four saves, and a hold with a minuscule 0.25 WHIP while striking out 11 (42.3 K%) against zero walks. When Dave Roberts frustrates fantasy managers with his match-up-based usage patterns, remember outings like this one by Scott, he remains the preferred option for saves when situations allow.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tanner Scott | *Kirby Yates | *Michael Kopech
*= closer-by-committee with a preferred save share (Scott)
(2) Shelby serving up dingers: It was not the outing that savvy fantasy players who added Shelby Miller hoped for in Toronto. Taking over at the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead, he retired Davis Schneider via strikeout, then allowed consecutive home runs by Bo Bichette and Addison Barger, resulting in his second loss and a fourth blown save, snapping his eight-game scoreless streak.
Both home runs were on inside splitters at the bottom third of the strike zone. Miller had been scoreless in his previous eight appearances since May 28, so this may be a blip. However, if the team sells at the trade deadline, he could be moved. Keep tabs on Juan Morillo. He worked a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and recording three strikeouts on 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) with four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
He has the velocity and, with more seasoning, could be this team’s Daniel Palencia by the All-Star break.
Hierarchy Remains: Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks | Juan Morillo
(3) Vest cleared for action: It appears fantasy players dodged a bullet if they have Will Vest on their roster. He did not pitch last night, but will avoid an injured-list stint for now:
His upcoming appearances will be monitored closely. From Tuesday’s game, finishing a four-run win over the Pirates, Brenan Hanifee retired the side on 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%). Tommy Kahnle fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout against the 9-1-2 lineup pocket. Chase Lee worked a clean seventh while striking out one for his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Vest | *Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee with a preferred save share (Vest)
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Atlanta Braves – Tasked with the top of the tenth versus the Mets’ 6-7-8 hitters, Raisel Iglesias retired the side while recording a strikeout, stranding the “place” runner. He collected his fourth win courtesy of his teammates’ walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%), extending his scoreless streak to three games.
- Dylan Lee worked a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit and striking out one on 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) with two whiffs versus the 3-4-5 lineup pocket. Over his last nine appearances, he has allowed one unearned run while posting a 0.50 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against one walk (34.2 K-BB%).
- Pierce Johnson retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: *Dylan Lee | *Raisel Iglesias | Pierce Johnson
*= closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles – Preserving a four-run win, Félix Bautista retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the ninth, in a non-save capacity in Tampa Bay. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%) while facing the 6-7-8 lineup pocket.
During his current seven-game scoreless streak, he has converted all five save chances with a 0.857 WHIP despite issuing five walks (18.5 BB%) against 11 strikeouts (40.7 K%).
- Bryan Baker notched his eighth hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Gregory Soto stranded two runners and retired his only batter via strikeout in the seventh, securing his 16th hold.
- Keegan Akin logged 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out one for his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Félix Bautista | Seranthony Domínguez | Bryan Baker
Chicago Cubs –Shutting the door on his seventh save, Daniel Palencia navigated around Jackson Chourio’s two-out double with a game-ending flyout against William Contreras for his seventh save. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff (9.1 SwStr%) while striking out one.
Since May 21, he has recorded a loss while converting seven of eight save chances with a 0.973 WHIP and 13 strikeouts against three walks (23.9 K-BB%) across 11.1 innings.
- Caleb Thielbar retired the side and recorded two strikeouts for his seventh hold in the eighth.
- Brad Keller secured his 11th hold with a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
- Génesis Cabera gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the sixth, getting credit for his first hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller | Ryan Pressly
Cincinnati Reds – Protecting a one-run margin, Emilio Pagán navigated around two walks with two strikeouts for a scoreless ninth, securing his 17th save. He took over against the Twins’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket, throwing 18 pitches (50 Strike%) and inducing three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
This extends his scoreless streak to six games, during which he has recorded four saves, one hold, and not allowed a hit; however, he has issued four walks (18.2 BB%) to his last 22 batters.
- Tony Santillan fired a clean eighth, striking out two on 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) with three whiffs for his 15th hold.
- Scott Barlow picked up his second win, retiring all four batters, two via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Cleveland Guardians – During a traffic-infused outing, Emmanuel Clase held on for his 15th save, finishing a one-run win in San Francisco. Taking over against the top of the lineup, he allowed Jung Hoo Lee’s lead-off single, retired Willy Adames, gave up a single by Rafael Devers, and walked Heliot Ramos, loading the bases with one out. Bearing down, Clase retired Dominic Smith via flyout and a game-ending strikeout of Casey Schmitt, throwing 20 pitches (70 Strike%) with three whiffs (15 SwStr%). His results chart displayed too many pitches in the heart of the zone:
- Hunter Gaddis also allowed two hits and a walk with one strikeout across 1.1 scoreless frames, getting credit for his 16th hold.
- Cade Smith worked a scoreless combined inning, giving up a hit and striking out one, securing his 13th hold.
- Matt Festa notched his fourth hold, yielding a hit and striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
Miami Marlins – Closing a five-run win over the Phillies, Calvin Faucher worked around J.T. Realmuto’s lead-off single by retiring the next three batters, including a game-ending strikeout of Brandon Marsh. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to eight, during which he has converted all five save chances with a 0.75 WHIP through eight innings.
- Anthony Bender notched his 11th hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Tyler Phillips tossed a clean seventh and recorded one strikeout.
- Freddy Tarnok collected his first win, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Calvin Faucher | Anthony Bender | Ronny Henriquez
New York Mets – Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the tenth, Huascar Brazobán suffered his second loss. His outing began with an intentional walk to Ronald Acuña Jr., followed by Alex Verdugo’s pop-out, but a wild pitch put the “place” runner on third and another walk (Matt Olson) loaded the bases ahead of Austin Riley’s walk-off sacrifice fly, resulting in his second loss.
- Edwin Díaz fired a clean ninth, striking out one on 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in five of six appearances this month, recording a win and converting three of four save chances.
- Reed Garrett suffered his fourth blown save, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Huascar Brazobán
San Diego Padres – An untimely implosion by Jeremiah Estrada resulted in his fourth loss. He took over a tied contest at the bottom of the sixth and allowed five hits, including Will Smith’s go-ahead two-run home run. Estrada’s final line of five hits and five earned runs without recording an out moved his WHIP to 1.31 through 32 innings.
- Yuki Matsui let both inherited runners score, allowing a hit, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out two in the sixth.
- Jason Adam worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit.
- Sean Reynolds gave up a hit and a walk during one-third of the eighth.
- Adrian Morejon stranded two runners, retiring both batters, one via strikeout, at the bottom of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Toronto Blue Jays – After issuing a lead-off walk, Jeff Hoffman recorded an out, picked the runner off at first, and produced an inning-ending groundout by Eugenio Suárez, keeping his team within one. He collected his sixth win following his team’s rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 10 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced one whiff (10 SwStr%).
Through seven appearances this month, he has two wins while converting four saves with a 0.877 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus two walks (28.5 K-BB%) over 5.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yariel Rodríguez | Chad Green
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: Summoned with a runner on first and two outs, Victor Vodnik gave up a hit and induced a game-ending flyout, preserving a five-run win. Anthony Molina allowed six hits, including two home runs and five earned runs, during his 1.2 innings.
- Los Angeles Angels: Completing a combined shutout, Hunter Strickland worked around a walk and recorded a strikeout in a non-save appearance. Reid Detmers fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts. He extended his scoreless streak to 13 games, posting a 0.846 WHIP with 21 strikeouts against five walks (33.4 K-BB%) across 13 innings.
- Minnesota Twins: A rare rough outing for Brock Stewart ended his seven-game scoreless stretch. He allowed three hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth, resulting in his first loss and blown save. Justin Topa stranded all three inherited runners, preventing the outing from being worse.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Entering at the bottom of the sixth, Carmen Mlodzinski was tagged with his fifth loss, allowing four hits, four earned runs, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out two across two innings.
- Seattle Mariners: Completing a combined shutout, Andrés Muñoz allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the ninth, during a non-save appearance. He had not pitched previously since June 9. He threw 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
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