Monday’s 10-game slate featured four wins by relievers, though one was accompanied by a blown save, four saves, and three losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.21.2026
- Anthony Bender (MIA): Fairbanks and Faucher have pitched in back-to-back games.
- Matt Strahm (KC): Erceg threw 32 pitches during a blown save on Monday, opening the door for others to receive save chances moving forward.
- Jack Perkins (ATH): He could be in line for a multi-inning outing and a potential save.
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Tasked with the top of the 12th, Alex Lange suffered his second loss, giving up three hits, including a grand slam by Leody Taveras, five runs (four earned), and a walk while striking out two. John Schreiber let his only inherited runner score, yielding a hit during his two-thirds of the 11th.
Daniel Lynch IV logged 1.1 innings, allowing an unearned run and recording two strikeouts on an efficient 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with five whiffs (41.7 SwStr%).
He should receive more leverage appearances. Through eight games, he owns a 0.56 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus three walks (26.5 K-BB%) and a robust 21.5 percent swinging strike rate.
Lucas Erceg suffered his second blown save, struggling with his command while spoiling a combined shutout attempt. He walked Gunnar Henderson, then picked him off first base, walked Taylor Ward, induced a fielder’s choice groundout, walked Pete Alonso, and gave up Samual Basallo’s game-tying RBI single, before an inning-ending grounder. He finished with one hit, an earned run, and three walks while throwing 32 pitches (17 strikes – 53.1 Strike%) with only one whiff.
After this outing, he owns a 1.80 WHIP with five strikeouts versus six walks (-2.8 K-BB%). Concern lies in his underlying data:
His 58.2 strike percentage puts him behind in too many counts, and his contact rate at 90 percent this year makes save situations perilous. Of his 25 batted ball events in 2026, he’s allowed two barrels (eight percent) and a 44 percent hard-hit rate.
Matt Strahm fired a clean eighth, striking out the side, and may start receiving some save chances. He’s been scoreless in his last three outings and has a 9:3 K:BB (18.8 K-BB%). As for the team’s closer, he was projected for a rehab outing in the next five days according to reports on April 14, but has not yet pitched at Triple-A Omaha:
It feels like an overhaul in leverage roles may ensue, but as this note by Anne Rogers of MLB.com illustrates, the bullpen has been a problem:
Here are the updated Win Probability Added results for the Royals:
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm | Nick Mears
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday’s 10-game slate.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Following a five-run outburst at the top of the 12th, Cameron Foster allowed two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out one in the bottom of the inning. Anthony Nunez collected his first win, letting one of two “ghost runners” score across the tenth and 11th innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one. Ryan Helsley fired a clean ninth, striking out two on 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in his last six appearances and recorded multiple strikeouts in four of these games while posting nine strikeouts versus two walks. Three relievers recorded scoreless outings before Helsley, keeping the game within reach.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Rico Garcia | Grant Wolfram
Boston Red Sox
Forced into action at the top of the ninth, Aroldis Chapman took over with two runners on and one out. After striking out Spencer Torkelson, he allowed a two-RBI double by Riley Greene, then induced a game-ending groundout, resulting in his fourth save. He threw 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6 Strike%) and produced one whiff (7.7 SwStr%). His velocity ticked up in this outing, and he’s posted a 1.043 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus three walks (16.7 K-BB%) through 7.2 innings. Here are his average velocities by game this season:
- Ryan Watson was credited with his first hold despite giving up four hits and three earned runs over his 1.1 innings.
- Garrett Whitlock collected his second win, tossing a clean seventh on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Greg Weissert
The Athletics
Called upon at the bottom of the ninth with a three-run lead, Joel Kuhnel held on for his fourth save, allowing Cole Young’s one-out single, followed by an RBI double by Leo Rivas, then retired J.P. Crawford (pop-out) and Cal Raleigh (fly out). He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) without a whiff. On the plus side, he has recorded a 0.57 WHIP with three strikeouts and no walks (12 K-BB%) across his first seven appearances. However, his 3.67 SIERA and 3.98 xERA signal pending regression. Ride the wave, but be prepared, his .182 BABIP to this point will migrate toward his .302 career average.
- Mark Leiter Jr. notched his first hold, giving up two hits and recording a strikeout in a scoreless eighth.
- Hogan Harris collected his second win, firing 1.2 clean frames and recording two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: *Joel Kuhnel | *Hogan Harris | *Mark Leiter Jr.
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays
It was not déja vú all over again for Jeff Hoffman. Handed a three-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, he allowed Jo Adell’s lead-off single, then bore down by striking out the next three batters and securing his third save. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
After rough outings in his previous two games, this was a welcome outcome. Through 11 games, he’s posted a 1.935 WHIP with 23 strikeouts versus three walks (32.7 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings while converting three of six save opportunities. Can he overcome his four-seam fastball struggles? Of his 64 thrown this season, he has a .533 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and a .750 BABIP. Here are his splits by pitch in the previous two seasons:
- Tyler Rogers retired both batters in the eighth for his third hold.
- Louis Varland fired 1.1 clean frames and recorded three strikeouts for his third hold.
- Braydon Fisher walked one during a scoreless sixth, notching his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: Entering at the bottom of the seventh, Tyler Holton gave up four hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one during two-thirds of the inning, resulting in his first loss.
- Seattle Mariners: With the score tied at the top of the eighth, Casey Legumina suffered his first loss, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk against the A’s.
National League
Miami Marlins
Taking over with a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Pete Fairbanks allowed Masyn Winn’s lead-off triple, allowed an earned run on a sacrifice fly, then recorded consecutive strikeouts while securing his fourth save. He threw 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
He owns a 1.125 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus one walk (32.4 K-BB%) across eight innings.
- Anthony Bender notched his third hold, striking out both batters faced in the eighth.
- Andrew Nardi retired his four batters, recording his third hold.
- Calvin Faucher collected his second win, despite letting his only inherited runner score on a hit, and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Anthony Bender | Calvin Faucner
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Wrapping up a five-run lead versus the Nationals, Joel Payamps retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the ninth. Tyler Kinley fired a clean eighth, striking out one, and collected his second hold. Aaron Bummer faced one batter in the seventh and recorded his third hold.
- Washington Nationals: As the first reliever in, PJ Poulin took over with two runners on at the top of the sixth, and let both score, giving up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk on his own ledger while retiring one batter, resulting in his first blown save.
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