Friday’s full slate featured five wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save, five losses, and six saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.18.2026
- Erik Miller (SF): Four of the top six hitters in the Nationals lineup are left-handed. If he’s needed in the eighth against the top of the order, Keaton Winn could be in play.
- Gregory Soto (PIT): He’s a co-closer, but Santana has pitched in three straight games.
Vulture Save Stashes for 4.19.2026
- Juan Morillo (ARI): If Sewald pitches again today.
- Isaac Mattson (PIT): If Soto pitches today, it will be back-to-back games and three in the previous four.
- Paul Blackburn (NYY): If Bednar is used in today’s game, it will be consecutive appearances and three in the last four.
For those interested in our premium option (ad-free content), please use this LINK; it is $30 and covers the season. Premium will operate via Substack for 2026. Please include your preferred email address, and we will manually add you to our ad-free list. You can also Venmo the $30 to @gjewett9.
Locking down his MLB-leading seventh save, Paul Sewald fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out one, preserving a three-run margin against the Blue Jays’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (20 SwStr%).
And, his illustrator:
Continuing his bounce-back campaign, he has recorded a 0.48 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and no walks (37.9 K-BB%) through 8.1 innings. His 2.16 ERA is accompanied by a 2.23 SIERA and a 3.48 xERA. Fantasy managers must monitor his batted ball data. Of his 18 events this year, he’s allowed three barrels (16.7 percent) and nine hard hits (50 percent) with a 77.8 fly ball percentage. The good news is that both of his pitches have a swinging-strike rate above 12 percent; however, there will be days when the long ball affects his results. Ride the wave while monitoring his ratios and home run per fly ball rate.
- Jonathan Loáisiga allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth for his fourth hold. He has given up at least a run in consecutive outings and in three of his last five.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Jonathan Loáisiga
Three Takeaways
Abreu struggles in low-leverage situations, too: Appearing during an eventual loss, Bryan Abreu had another rough outing, snapping his modest two-game scoreless streak. Entering against the Cardinals’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket, he allowed Alec Burleson’s one-out double, walked Jordan Walker, and served up Nolan Gorman’s three-run home run before recording the last two outs. His WHIP sits at three after this appearance, and he’s allowed more walks (13) than strikeouts (12) through his first nine games. It’s been tough on the reliever, as he acknowledged in this column by Matt Kawahara for The Houston Chronicle:
It’s difficult, but if fantasy managers have not moved on, this will not be a quick fix, and they should do so.
Updated Hierarchy: *Enyel De Los Santos | *Bryan King | Bryan Abreu
*= closer-by-committee
Replacing Palencia may require a village: It’s been a tough start to the season for those who recognized how well Daniel Palencia performed during the WBC, pushing up his draft capital. He’s only recorded one save and was placed on the 15-day injured list, backdated to April 14. According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, it may not be a serious oblique issue, though soft tissue injuries can be slippery:
As for a potential ninth-inning replacement, the solution may be problematic. The Cubs’ bullpen currently has five left-handed relievers, giving an inside track to Caleb Thielbar. He’s recorded five career saves, but his 4.01 xERA and 1.33 WHIP through his first seven games must be factored. Ben Brown, my preferred choice, has less experience but more upside, though this may not translate into save chances. When Palencia was sidelined last August, Andrew Kittredge emerged as the fantasy target despite my leaning toward Brad Keller, but as time passed, he became the preferred option. Will history repeat? Time will tell. Fantasy managers can take a chance on either, but some patience may be required. Chicago has only yielded five save opportunities per Baseball-Reference through 19 games. From Counsell himself:
Updated Hierarchy: *Ben Brown | *Caleb Thielbar | Hoby Milner
*= closer-by-committee
Texas and matchups: Capping a combined shutout, Jacob Latz retired Seattle’s 7-8-9 hitters in order, appearing in a third straight game. He threw 11 pitches (6 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) without a whiff, lined up against two left-handed hitters in this pocket. He’s turned in a 0.553 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against three walks through 12.2 innings. Cole Winn entered against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket, and notched his fourth hold, walking and striking out one on 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Jalen Beeks secured his third hold, walking and striking out one in the seventh. Tyler Alexander stranded a runner despite giving up a hit during two-thirds of the sixth for his third hold. Gavin Collyer collected his first major league win, logging 1.1 innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two. The broadcast did not show which relievers were warming in the bullpen, nor acknowledged if Jakob Junis threw when the team was ahead by only three at the top of the ninth. He may be the preferred choice, but the defined roles fantasy players crave may not be cast in stone for this leverage ladder.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jakob Junis | *Cole Winn | *Jacob Latz
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday’s slate.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Capping his team’s rally, Ryan Helsley recorded his sixth save, preserving a two-run lead while working around a one-out walk to José Ramírez with a strikeout, followed by a game-ending groundout. He threw 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
He’s on a modest five-game scoreless streak, converting three saves with seven strikeouts against two walks (27.8 K-BB%) and a 0.80 WHIP across five innings.
- Rico Garcia collected his second win, retiring the side during a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Anthony Nunez let all three inherited runners score in the seventh, serving up Daniel Schneeman’s grand slam during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Grant Wolfram stranded two runners in the sixth, but gave up a hit, three unearned runs, and a walk while striking out two over his two-thirds combined innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Rico Garcia | Grant Wolfram
Boston Red Sox
Tasked with the top of the tenth, Garrett Whitlock stranded the “ghost runner,” retiring the side and striking out one, throwing 10 pitches (60 Strike%) and producing one whiff.
Aroldis Chapman worked into and out of trouble in the ninth, preserving the scoreless tie. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
Over his first seven appearances, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts against three walks (14.8 K-BB%) through seven innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Greg Weissert
Cleveland Guardians
Another rough night for this leverage ladder. Connor Brogdon was charged with his first blown save. He allowed both inherited runners to score in the eighth, giving up two hits, including a three-run home run by Jeremiah Jackson, and recorded two strikeouts during his 1.1 innings.
- Erik Sabrowski suffered his first loss while getting credit for his American League-leading eighth hold, allowing all three inherited runners to score, yielding a hit, two earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Shawn Armstrong hit a batter and issued two walks, resulting in three earned runs without recording an out in the eighth.
- Hunter Gaddis fired a clean seventh, striking out the side in his second appearance of the season.
Updated Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
New York Yankees
Securing his sixth save, David Bednar issued Carter Jensen a lead-off walk, a leverage no-no, but bore down, inducing a lineout, followed by consecutive strikeouts, preserving a two-run lead. He threw 17 pitches (58.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
Through eight games, he’s posted a 1.845 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus five walks (16.7 K-BB%) across 8.2 innings.
- Camilo Doval was tagged with his second blown save, allowing a game-tying solo home run, and striking out one. He collected his first win courtesy of a rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Brent Headrick tossed a clean seventh, striking out one for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: After tossing a scoreless bottom of the ninth, Will Vest returned for the tenth, giving up a one-out walk and a game-ending RBI single by Masataka Yosido. Brant Hurter stranded a runner during his one-third of the eighth. Kyle Finnegan stranded a runner with a scoreless combined inning despite issuing a walk.
- Kansas City Royals: After his team tied the game, Alex Lange took over at the bottom of the eighth, giving up two hits, including a go-ahead two-run home run by Ryan McMahon, resulting in his first loss.
- Los Angeles Angels: Completing a combined shutout, Jordan Romano allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts against the Padres’ 4-5-6-7 hitters, throwing 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) with six whiffs (31.6 SwStr%). He lowered his WHIP to 1.737 after this appearance and has 10 strikeouts versus five walks (16.7 K-BB%) through 6.1 innings.
- Minnesota Twins: During a one-run loss, Cole Sands tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, walking one and striking out two. Kody Funderburk retired the side in the eighth. Justin Topa gave up a hit in a scoreless seventh.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Summoned with a runner on and one out at the bottom of the fifth, Griffin Jax allowed a go-ahead three-run home run by Oneil Cruz, letting an inherited runner score. Edwin Uceta suffered a setback during his last rehab outing and will meet with the team doctor. This resets all of his return protocols and may signal something more significant.
- Toronto Blue Jays: As the “bulk follower,” Eric Lauer was tagged with his third loss, giving up five hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out four across five innings.
National League
Cincinnati Reds
Shutting the door on his sixth save and showing no issues with his hamstring, Emilio Pagán retired the side and recorded a strikeout while preserving a one-run lead against the Twins’ 8-9-1 hitters. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff (7.7 SwStr%).
Following ten appearances, he owns a 1.161 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against five walks (9.3 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings.
- Tony Santillan notched his seventh hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth inning.
- Graham Ashcraft worked a scoreless seventh, navigating around a hit and a walk for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Milwaukee Brewers
After his team rallied for three runs at the top of the tenth, Trevor Megill took over during the bottom of the frame in Miami. He retired the first two batters, then uncorked a wild pitch scoring the “ghost runner,” gave up a double by Liam Hicks, then recorded a game-ending strikeout, resulting in his fourth save. He finished with a hit, an unearned run, and two strikeouts on 18 pitches (61.1 Strike%) with four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). It’s his first save since April 5, but he’s allowed at least a run in four of his eight outings this season and posted a 1.857 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus four walks (13.9 K-BB%) across seven innings.
Abner Uribe collected his first win working without much command. He issued two walks and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied. He threw 18 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). Through nine games, he’s posted a 1.32 WHIP with nine strikeouts against three walks (17.1 K-BB%) over 8.1 innings.
- Ángel Zerpa suffered his second blown save, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Abner Uribe | *Ángel Zerpa | *Trevor Megill
*= closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates
Appearing in a third consecutive game, Dennis Santana worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth, preserving a four-run lead. He threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) without a whiff.
Gregory Soto fired a clean eighth, retiring the Rays’ 9-1-2 hitters on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) without a whiff. He extended his scoreless streak to six games, but has not recorded a save since April 3.
- Mason Montgomery gave up a hit and struck out two during a scoreless seventh for his fourth hold.
It’s been tough sledding for Soto as the co-closer since his lineup pockets have been in the eighth inning. He’s recorded zero saves since being targeted heavily in FAAB.
Hierarchy Remains: *Dennis Santana | *Gregory Soto | Isaac Mattson
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Finishing a combined shutout, José Suarez notched his first save of the season and the third of his career. He logged three innings, scattering two hits while walking and striking out one. He threw 52 pitches (36 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and produced seven whiffs (13.5 SwStr%).
- Chicago Cubs: Wrapping up a lopsided win over the Mets, Hoby Milner allowed a hit during a scoreless top of the ninth. Jacob Webb gave up four hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth. Riley Martin tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Miami Marlins: Taking over at the top of the tenth, Calvin Faucher suffered his second loss. He allowed two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out one against the Brewers. Pete Fairbanks fired a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout on 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff.
- San Francisco Giants: Closing out a five-run lead in Washington, Blade Tidwell retired the side at the bottom of the ninth. Caleb Kilian allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth, facing the 5-6-7-8 hitters.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Wrapping up a five-run lead in Houston, George Soriano retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the bottom of the ninth. Ryne Stanek gave up two hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out three in the eighth. JoJo Romero worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: