Wednesday’s wild slate featured nine reliever wins, six saves, five blown saves, and seven losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.14.2026
- Robert Suarez (ATL): Iglesias has pitched in consecutive contests.
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): King threw 34 pitches during his blown save yesterday.
- Bryan Hudson (CHW): Domínguez has appeared in back-to-back games.
- Trevor Megill (MIL); Uribe has worked in consecutive games.
- Juan Mejia (COL): Vodnik pitched during a loss. Could a change be on the horizon?
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.
During a slate with five blown saves, two “closers” appearing in the eighth inning in Toronto, Cade Smith continued his recent dominant form while nailing down his 13th save with a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side while facing the Angels’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) while generating six whiffs (42.9 SwStr%). Here is his pitch description chart from this outing:
Over his last 14 appearances, he’s converted 10 of 11 save chances with a 0.886 WHIP and 21 strikeouts against one walk (36.4 K-BB%) across 14.2 innings. Patience has paid for his fantasy managers once he honed his four-seam command.
Erik “The Big” Sabrowski allowed a walk and recorded three strikeouts in a scoreless eighth, securing his MLB-leading 16th hold. This extended his scoreless streak to 11 games, during which he’s notched a win with eight holds while posting a 0.827 WHIP with 20 strikeouts versus six walks. Matt Festa secured his sixth hold, stranding a runner while retiring his only batter in the seventh.
Three Takeaways
Postseason approach in May? With an off day looming, Toronto used Louis Varland at the top of the eighth while trailing 1-0. He faced the Rays’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket, navigating around two hits and a walk while striking out two for a scoreless appearance. Tyler Rogers gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the ninth. Mason Fluharty replaced him and stranded both runners, retiring Chandler Simpon on an inning-ending popout at the top of the ninth. Even though he allowed a leadoff single scoring the “courtesy runner,” and a one-out single putting an earned run on his ledger, Jeff Hoffman collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the tenth. He finished with two hits and two runs (one earned) on 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff. This should be an isolated occurrence, but it signals there will be games when the team uses Varland in the highest-leverage moment, not solely as the closer.
Rays’ usage pattern was cooked by free passes: Trying to preserve a 1-0 lead at the bottom of the eighth, Tampa Bay called on its “closer,” Bryan Baker. Entering this game, he issued four walks through his first 18 appearances this season, with no multiple walk contests. He matched his walk total during two-thirds of the eighth, giving up an earned run on a sacrifice fly and striking out one, getting charged with his third blown save.
He only threw 11 strikes of his 27 pitches (40.7 Strike%), taking on the top of the Blue Jays’ lineup. Cole Sulser logged 1.1 clean frames, stranding three runners in the eighth and retiring the side in the ninth. Staked to a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Aaron Brooks issued two walks, retiring one batter, and gave up a walk-off grand slam by Daulton Varsho, resulting in his first loss and blown save.
Overusing Latz: Forced into action with a runner on and no out at the top of the ninth, Cal Quantrill stranded him while giving up a hit and retiring three, one via strikeout. He collected his second win after his teammates plated three runs at the bottom of the inning for a walk-off rally. Jacob Latz suffered his second blown save, being used on back-to-back days after only one day of rest from a two-inning save on Sunday.
As an example, if the Brewers used Josh Hader for a two-inning save in previous seasons, he would receive at least two days off before his next appearance. As for Latz, he did not retire a batter, allowing three hits, two doubles, three earned runs, and a walk against Arizona’s 2-3-4-5 hitters, prompting his removal. After 18 games, he owns a 0.60 WHIP with 17 strikeouts against five walks (15.2 K-BB%) across 21.2 innings. He’s been solid; this usage pattern was egregious by Skip Schumaker.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday’s wild slate.
American League
Boston Red Sox
It was a white-knuckle ride, but Aroldis Chapman held on for his ninth save, working around Kyle Schwarber’s leadoff walk with two strikeouts, a two-walk of Trea Turner, and a game-ending strikeout of Alec Bohm, preserving the two-run margin. He threw 22 pitches (12 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
He’s only allowed one earned run through his first 14 appearances, posting a 0.878 WHIP with 19 strikeouts versus five walks (26.9 K-BB%) across 13.2 innings.
- Garrett Whitlock fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his eighth hold.
- Justin Slaten gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Chicago White Sox
Presented a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Seranthony Domínguez held on for his tenth save despite giving up a one-out double and a two-out, two-run home run by Bobby Witt Jr., before inducing a game-ending strikeout against Jac Caglianone. Domínguez threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) while producing one whiff, losing his modest six-game scoreless streak.
Through 16.2 innings, he owns a 1.245 WHIP with 21 strikeouts against ten walks (14.3 SwStr%).
- Sean Newcomb notched his third hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Jordan Hicks gave up a hit and a hit batter during a scoreless seventh, recording three strikeouts.
- Tyler Davis collected his first win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing a walk and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Bryan Hudson | Grant Taylor
Detroit Tigers
With the score tied at the bottom of the tenth, Drew Anderson suffered his first loss, producing a strikeout and giving up a walk-off RBI single by Carson Benge.
Kenley Jansen fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side against the Mets’ 6-7-8 hitters on 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
Kyle Finnegan suffered his second blown save, letting his only inherited runner score on Bo Bichette’s game-tying RBI single, recorded an out on a double steal at home, then retired the side in the eighth, finishing with a hit and a strikeout across 1.1 scoreless frames.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Kyle Finnegan | Brant Hurter
Houston Astros
Stepping into a tied game at the top of the tenth, Bryan Abreu issued Brendan Donovan a leadoff walk, then recorded a strikeout, a fielder’s choice grounder, and an inning-ending flyout to left. He collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. Abreu threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He’s on a modest four-game scoreless streak while earning two wins in it.
- Bryan King suffered his second blown save, giving up a hit, an earned run, and three walks at the top of the ninth.
- Enyel De Los Santos tossed 1.1 clean frames and recorded two strikeouts.
- Steven Okert also worked 1.1 scoreless innings, registering two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan Abreu | *Bryan King | *Enyel De Los Santos
*= closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners
Noting the bullpen is stretched thin, Alex Hoppe took over a tied contest at the bottom of the tenth and moved the “courtesy runner” to third on a wild pitch, then gave up Brice Matthews walk-off RBI single, resulting in his first loss.
Andrés Muñoz allowed a hit and struck out three at the bottom of the ninth. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and racked up seven whiffs (50 SwStr%).
This was a more traditional approach, during which he leaned into his slider.
- Josh Simpson stranded two runners while retiring his only batter in the eighth.
- Eduard Bazardo had a tough luck outing, yielding a hit and an unearned run during his two-thirds of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Jose A. Ferrer
The Athletics
Although the save chance evaporated when his team scored a run at the bottom of the eighth, Jack Perkins finished the four-run margin against the Cardinals, allowing a hit, hitting a batter, and striking out one during a scoreless top of the ninth, facing the 8-9-1-2-3 hitters. He threw 18 pitches (55.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Luis Medina notched his first hold with a clean eighth, retiring the 5-6-7 lineup pocket on nine pitches (55.6 Strike%) without a whiff. Does this signal a rise in the leverage pecking order for him? If yes, he could be an intriguing option as the season progresses in the A’s amorphous bullpen.
- Hogan Harris stranded a runner while yielding a hit and striking out one during one-third of the seventh for his seventh hold.
- Justin Sterner gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one over two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his eighth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jack Perkins | *Hogan Harris | *Luis Medina
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Angels: During an eventual loss, Ryan Zeferjahn worked around Chase DeLauter’s leadoff single with two strikeouts sandwiched around a flyout. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Sam Bachman stranded two runners and retired all four batters, one via strikeout.
- Minnesota Twins: In an eventual loss, Luis García worked two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one. Justin Topa worked 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Thrust into a save situation after his team’s three-run rally at the top of the ninth, Paul Sewald could not maintain the momentum, suffering an ugly blown save. It started with a strikeout of Corey Seager, but Josh Jung singled, and Ezequiel Duran produced an RBI double with two outs, followed by a walk, and a game-tying RBI single by Jake Burger, forcing him from the contest. Juan Morillo took over and allowed a walk-off RBI single by Danny Jansen, resulting in Sewald’s first blown save and fourth loss. His final line was three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning. He still owns a 0.913 WHIP with a 23 K-BB percentage through 15.1 innings, though his upcoming outings will be monitored closely. He has recorded 14 scoreless appearances, allowed at least a run in four, multiple runs in three, and three earned runs in two games this season.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Taylor Clarke
Atlanta Braves
Capping his team’s three-run rally at the bottom of the eighth, Raisel Iglesias shut the door on his eighth save with a scoreless top of the ninth, working around a leadoff walk to Michael Busch with a double play groundout and a game-ending popout. He threw eight pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s converted 26 consecutive save chances since July 28, 2025, and extended his personal scoreless streak to 25.1 innings, dating back to August 30, 2025.
- Robert Suarez navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one for a scoreless top of the eighth, then collected his fourth win when his team took the lead at the bottom of the frame.
- Dylan Lee fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
- Martin Pérez retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds
Suffering his second loss, Tony Santillan allowed a go-ahead two-run home run by Daylen Lile at the top of the tenth, resulting in only one earned run. He’s now allowed at least a home run in four consecutive appearances, totaling five against his last 15 batters faced. His velocity remains two miles per hour below last year’s average:
Graham Ashcraft issued a leadoff walk at the top of the ninth, then retired the next three batters, one via strikeout, keeping the game tied.
- Brock Burke logged two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Tejay Antone worked two innings, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: *Graham Ashcraft | *Pierce Johnson | Brock Burke
*= closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies
Taking over at the bottom of the fifth, Antonio Senzatela collected his third win, allowing one hit, a solo home run by Ryan O’Hearn in the sixth, over his three innings while recording two strikeouts. He threw 26 pitches (69.2 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (19.2 SwStr%). All 12 of his outings have been multiple innings this season, during which he owns a 0.768 WHIP with 24 strikeouts versus seven walks (17 K-BB%) through 27.1 innings.
- Jaden Hill notched his seventh hold, striking out one during a clean bottom of the eighth.
- Brennan Bernardino tossed a clean ninth, finishing a six-run margin.
Hierarchy Remains: Victor Vodnik | Juan Mejia | Antonio Senzatela
Los Angeles Dodgers
Closing out a combined shutout, Kyle Hurt worked around Rafael Devers’ leadoff double with two strikeouts sandwiched around a Willy Adames groundout. He threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to ten games, during which he owns a 0.50 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against one walk (34.3 K-BB%) across ten innings. He’s moved up in our hierarchy as a result.
Tanner Scott gave up a two-out single by Luis Arraez during the eighth, facing the 9-1-2-3 lineup pocket, throwing 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) without a whiff. His scoreless streak reached six games, and he’s posted a 0.50 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk (28.6 K-BB%) over six innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tanner Scott | *Alex Vesia | *Kyle Hurt
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers
Things started well. Abner Uribe retired the first two Padres on a groundout and a lineout, then gave up Miguel Andujar’s single up the middle, walked Xander Bogaerts, and gave up a go-ahead three-run home run by Gavin Sheets, resulting in his second loss and a second blown save. Uribe finished with two hits, three earned runs, and a walk with one strikeout. As his chart illustrates, it was a quality pitch to Sheets; he was better in this at-bat:
After this outing, he owns a 1.164 WHIP with 17 strikeouts against six walks over 16.1 innings.
- Aaron Ashby secured his first hold with a clean top of the eighth while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Abner Uribe | Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby
New York Mets
Following a scoreless top of the tenth, during which Brooks Raley issued a walk and recorded a strikeout, he collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
Devin Williams worked a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one on 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) with one whiff. He has been scoreless over his last seven appearances, posting a 0.30 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus one walk (38.1 K-BB%) across 6.2 innings.
- Luke Weaver worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one during a scoreless eighth.
- Huascar Brazobán tossed 2.1 clean frames while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Philadelphia Phillies
Entering at the bottom of the sixth, Tanner Banks allowed a hit and an earned run while striking out one over two-thirds of the inning. He suffered his third loss when Orion Kerkering let his only inherited runner score on Cedanne Rafaela’s two-run home run. Kerkering gave up two hits and an earned run on his ledger during one-third of the sixth.
Brad Keller fired a clean seventh, striking out the side on 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) with four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
San Diego Padres
Preserving his team’s rally at the top of the ninth, Mason Miller allowed Luis Rengifo’s leadoff single, then retired the next three hitters, two via strikeout, securing his 13th save. He threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%).
He’s converted a save in three of his last four appearances while recording multiple strikeouts in each.
- Jason Adam collected his second win, tossing a scoreless bottom of the eighth while giving up a hit.
- Jeremiah Estrada tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Washington Nationals
After an umpire review, PJ Poulin allowed an RBI double by Spencer Steer and issued a two-out walk, but recorded his second save with a game-ending groundout at the bottom of the tenth. He threw 26 pitches (14 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) without a whiff while giving up a hit, an unearned run, and a walk with one strikeout.
Gus Varland navigated around a leadoff double for a scoreless ninth and picked up his first win courtesy of the rally at the top of the tenth.
- Oscar Ribalta fired a clean eighth, striking out one while facing the Reds’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket.
- Richard Lovelady tossed a scoreless seventh, despite yielding a hit and a walk.
Updated Hierarchy: *Gus Varland | *PJ Poulin | *Richard Lovelady
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: During an eventual loss, Phil Maton let his only inherited runner score, allowing three hits, including a two-run home run by Mauricio Dubón at the bottom of the eighth.
- Miami Marlins: Finishing a four-run lead against the Twins, Josh Ekness allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts while facing the 9-1-2-3 batters, throwing 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) with two whiffs. John King gave up a solo home run by Kody Clemens and struck out one during the eighth. Tyler Philliips stranded a runner and retired all four batters, one via strikeout.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: