Tuesday’s slate yielded an avalanche in terms of high-leverage appearances, resulting in ten reliever wins and nine saves while they were tagged with six losses. With the weather heating up, pressure and fatigue continue accumulating across teams’ leverage ladders. Here are last night’s saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB | BF |
| Robert Suarez | 22 | 15 | 60 | 13.3 | 1:0 | 3 |
| Tanner Scott | 16 | 11 | 81.8 | 9.1 | 0:0 | 5 |
| Ryan Helsley | 15 | 17 | 64.7 | 29.4 | 1:0 | 5 |
| Josh Hader | 14 | 14 | 71.4 | 35.7 | 2:0 | 4 |
| Raisel Iglesias | 9 | 16 | 62.5 | 18.8 | 1:0 | 3 |
| Shelby Miller | 9 | 12 | 66.7 | 0 | 0:0 | 3 |
| Calvin Faucher | 8 | 18 | 44.4 | 0 | 0:1 | 3 |
| Robert Garcia | 6 | 9 | 77.8 | 11.1 | 1:0 | 3 |
| Matt Brash | 1 | 13 | 69.2 | 7.7 | 1:0 | 3 |
With his suspension cut in half, Robert Suarez will begin serving it today:
For the save streamers, a surprisingly light forecast, though Thursdays may shift based on usage patterns in today’s contests:
Vulture Save Option for June 25
- Jeremiah Estrada (SD): Suarez begins serving his suspension, and Adam threw 27 pitches, leaving Estrada in line for the save chance today.
Vulture Save Stashes for June 26
- Bennett Sousa (HOU): If Hader and Abreu pitch today, it’s back-to-back outings for both.
- Matt Strahm (PHI): If Kerkering pitches in today’s game, it will be consecutive appearances.
Three Takeaways
(1) Muñoz in the eighth? With the score tied at the bottom of the eighth, Andrés Muñoz matched up against the Twins’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket and retired them in order while recording two strikeouts. He collected his third win, courtesy of a rally at the top of the ninth. He threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%).
He had only entered a game during the eighth once this season, recording a four-out save on May 17. On the surface, this appears to be an outlier based on usage patterns this season, but it will be closely monitored.
Matt Brash notched his first save since August 17, 2023, firing a clean bottom of the ninth and striking out one, throwing 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with one whiff, preserving a one-run win.
He remained scoreless through 16 appearances this season, and as he returns to his past form, his leverage role continues to expand, forming a potential dynamic duo at the back end of games for Seattle.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Carlos Vargas
(2) Is Raisel rising from the ashes? After not recording a save in 31 games, a Braves reliever has notched one in consecutive games. This time, Raisel Iglesias took over with runners on the corners and one out at the bottom of the ninth against the Mets. He retired Brett Baty via strikeout but gave up Ronny Mauricio’s RBI double before inducing a game-ending groundout by Francisco Lindor for his ninth save, first since May 16.
He has been scoreless over his last six games. Enyel De Los Santos created the chaos, giving up two hits and an earned run during one-third of the ninth. Dylan Dodd fired a clean eighth, striking out one. Rafael Montero worked a clean seventh and recorded a strikeout for his fifth hold. Pierce Johnson allowed a walk and struck out three in a scoreless sixth, securing his sixth hold. The biggest takeaway from this game is that if Dodd can handle left-handed hitting pockets in the ninth, it allows Dylan Lee more freedom as the preferred option in the ninth. Monitor this closely.
Hierarchy Remains: *Dylan Lee | Raisel Iglesias | Pierce Johnson
*= A preferred save share, though Lee will be used against the toughest lineup pocket at the most leveraged moment.
(3) Helsley hangs on: Provided a one-run lead, Ryan Helsley allowed Kyle Tucker’s one-out single and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two-out single, putting runners on the corners before inducing a game-ending Dansby Swanson groundout for his 15th save. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%) while striking out one. First, his illustrator:
And, his results:
He owns a modest three-game scoreless streak but has allowed multiple hits in five of his eight appearances this month. Despite this, his underlying trends have improved, reflected in his rolling-game chart:
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Phil Maton | JoJo Romero
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Arizona Diamondbacks – Securing his ninth save, Shelby Miller retired the side on 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff, closing a three-run win over the White Sox.
Through ten games in June, he has a loss while converting four of five save opportunities, posting a 0.86 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against one walk (29.5 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings.
- Juan Morillo escaped with a scoreless eighth, working around a hit and a walk for his fourth hold.
- Jalen Beeks notched his 11th hold, retiring both batters in the seventh.
- Ryan Thompson collected his second win, stranding a runner in the sixth and recording two outs across the sixth and seventh innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks | Juan Morillo
Boston Red Sox – Things went awry at the bottom of the eighth. Greg Weissert entered with a 1-0 lead, allowing a game-tying home run by Christian Moore and a single, though a caught stealing ended his outing. He was tagged with his fourth blown save.
- Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth, navigating around Mike Trout’s lead-off single and a two-out walk, recording all three outs via strikeout. He threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (30 SwStr%).
- At the bottom of the tenth, Justin Wilson could not protect a one-run lead, giving up Moore’s walk-off two-run home run, resulting in his first loss and a fourth blown save.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Greg Weissert | Garrett Whitlock
Houston Astros – Shutting the door on his 20th save, Josh Hader worked around a hit batter and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a combined shutout against the Phillies. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (35.7 SwStr%).
Across 11 outings this month, he has a 4-1 record while converting all six save chances, posting a .619 WHIP with 20 strikeouts versus one walk (45.2 K-BB%) in 11.1 innings.
- Bryan Abreu collected his second win, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one ahead of his team’s go-ahead rally at the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Los Angeles Angels – Entering at the top of the tenth, Reid Detmers gave up Marcelo Mayer’s RBI single leading off the inning, induced a double play groundout, followed by Wilyer Abreu’s single, and an inning-ending strikeout of Roman Anthony. Detmers collected his third win when his teammates rallied for a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Kenley Jansen tossed a scoreless ninth, working around Romy Gonzalez reaching on an error and Jarren Duran’s one-out walk with a pop-out and an inning-ending flyout, preserving the tie.
- Sam Bachman retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the eighth.
- Hunter Strickland tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Reid Detmers | Sam Bachman
Los Angeles Dodgers – Pressed into action at the bottom of the eighth, Tanner Scott took over with two runners on and two outs, giving up Jordan Beck’s two-RBI double, then inducing Michael Toglia’s flyout. Returning for the ninth, Scott worked around Ryan McMahon’s one-out single with a game-ending double play groundout, preserving the two-run lead while recording his 16th save. He finished with two hits against, throwing 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with one whiff (9.1 SwStr%).
In 11 appearances this month, he’s 1-1 and converted all six saves with a 0.708 WHIP through 11.1 innings.
- Anthony Banda allowed two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Alex Vesia stranded two runners despite throwing a wild pitch, striking out his only batter at the bottom of the seventh.
- Kirby Yates gave up three hits, two on soft contact, and an earned run while striking out two during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Justin Wrobleski logged five innings as the “bulk follower,” allowing five hits, two earned runs, and two walks with seven strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Kirby Yates | *Michael Kopech
*= closer-by-committee with a preferred save share (Scott)
Miami Marlins – Closing a two-run win over the Giants, Calvin Faucher navigated around Jung Hoo Lee’s lead-off walk with a strikeout and a game-ending double play grounder against Casey Schmitt for his eighth save. He threw 18 pitches (8 strikes – 44.4 Strike%) without a whiff.
He extended his scoreless streak to 12 games, during which he has converted all six save opportunities with a 0.748 WHIP while recording seven strikeouts versus two walks.
- Ronny Henriquez notched his 11th hold, striking out both batters at the bottom of the eighth.
- Cade Gibson collected his second win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames and recording two strikeouts.
- Anthony Bender stranded a runner at the bottom of the fifth and worked 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk with two strikeouts.
Updated Hierarchy: Calvin Faucher | Ronny Henriquez | Anthony Bender
Minnesota Twins – Tasked with a tied game at the top of the ninth, Jhoan Durán recorded a quick out, hit Jorge Polanco with a pitch, followed by a single, and another hit batter, loading the bases. With one out, Julio Rodríguez scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly, and after Durán intentionally walked Cal Raleigh, he induced an inning-ending strikeout, but the damage had been done, handing him his third loss. He last posted a save on June 8 and has allowed a run in three of his last five appearances.
- Brock Stewart tossed a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Griffin Jax fired a clean seventh, recording two strikeouts versus Seattle’s 1-2-3 hitters.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Louis Varland
New York Yankees – Taking over at the bottom of the tenth, Mark Leiter Jr. retired the Reds’ 9-1-2 hitters in order. Returning for the tenth, things did not go as smoothly. He gave up Elly De La Cruz’s single, followed by Spencer Steer’s RBI single, threw a wild pitch, walked Tyler Stephenson, and suffered his fourth loss on Gavin Lux’s walk-off single.
- Devin Williams fired a clean ninth on nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%), extending scoreless streak to seven games.
- Luke Weaver worked around Steer’s two-out single and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the eighth, matching up against the Reds’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket.
- Fernando Cruz stranded his only inherited runner and retired both batters during the seventh.
- Jonathan Loáisiga suffered his second blown save, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while recording one out in the seventh. He left his outing with the team’s trainer.
In the first game, during which Williams and Weaver appeared together since Weaver’s return from the injured list, it went according to our speculative plans. Stay tuned.
Updated Hierarchy: *Devin Williams | *Luke Weaver | Fernando Cruz
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Locking down his National League-leading 22nd save, Robert Suarez retired the side while striking out one during a one-run win over Washington. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
It was announced that he will serve his reduced two-game suspension on Wednesday and Friday.
- Jeremiah Estrada retired all four batters, one via strikeout, while securing his 15th hold.
- Jason Adam was awarded his sixth win, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Adrian Morejon worked two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Texas Rangers – Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Robert Garcia retired the side on a sacrifice bunt, a strikeout, and a game-ending pop-out by Jackson Holliday, securing his sixth save. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
Over his last five appearances, he has converted three of four save chances.
- Luke Jackson stranded a runner at the bottom of the eighth while logging 1.1 clean frames and striking out one. He collected his second win after his team plated a run at the top of the tenth.
- Hoby Milner worked 1.2 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two.
- Chris Martin suffered his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score while serving up three hits, all home runs, resulting in three earned runs without retiring a batter in the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Robert Garcia | Luke Jackson | Chris Martin
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: During the top of the tenth, Seranthony Domínguez recorded a strikeout, but after throwing a wild pitch, he let the game-winning run score on a fielder’s choice groundout. He finished with a walk and three strikeouts, getting tagged with his second loss. Félix Bautista worked around Corey Seager’s lead-off single and a stolen base by retiring the next three batters, two via strikeout. He threw 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and produced six whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). Gregory Soto issued Sam Haggerty a lead-off walk, who then stole two bases and scored on a game-tying sacrifice fly, resulting in his first blown save and ending his nine-game scoreless streak.
- Chicago White Sox: As the “bulk follower,” Mike Vasil suffered his third loss, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out one across 5.1 innings.
- Cincinnati Reds: Despite letting the “place” runner score on a wild pitch, Connor Phillips retired all three batters and collected his first win, following his team’s walk-off rally at the bottom of the 11th. Tony Santillan worked into and then out of trouble, issuing two walks during a scoreless tenth.
- Cleveland Guardians: A rough outing alert, though some of the result was due to soft contact, Hunter Gaddis allowed three hits, four earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth inning, boosting his WHIP to 1.45 on the season.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Finishing a six-run win, Abner Uribe fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out the side on 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and producing three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- New York Mets: In order of appearance, Huascar Brazobán took over at the top of the sixth and struggled with his command. He issued three walks, resulting in three earned runs, while recording one out, getting credit for his tenth hold. José Castillo let both inherited runners score, hitting a batter and giving up two hits, resulting in two earned runs, his second loss, and a second blown save.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Replacing Ranger Suárez at the bottom of the eighth, Orion Kerkering gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout during one-third of an inning.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Closing a win in Cleveland, Yariel Rodríguez had his five-game scoreless streak snapped, giving up Kyle Manzardo’s solo home run, and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the ninth, in a non-save appearance. Since May 7, he has been scoreless in 17 of 19 games, posting a 0.526 WHIP with 25 strikeouts against four walks across 24.2 innings.
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