Friday’s 14-game slate featured seven reliever wins, nine saves, and seven losses, plus four blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 391 saves this season, by 134 different pitchers in 2026.
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.23.2026
- Jeff Hoffman (TOR): He picked up a save on Thursday, and Varland logged two innings last night.
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Both Garcia and Nunez have appeared in three of the previous four games.
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Smith has pitched in three of the last four days, and if he’s used today, then Gaddis remains in play for tomorrow.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): Faucher’s results have been varied, but Fairbanks has pitched in back-to-back contests.
Doubleheader Vulture Recommendations:
- Cincinnati Reds: Preferred option – Connor Phillips; YOLO – Tejay Antone
- St. Louis Cardinals: Preferred option – George Soriano; YOLO – Gordon Graceffo
Vulture Save Stashes for 5.24.2026
- Robert Suarez (ATL): If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, it will be consecutive contests.
- Camilo Doval (NYY): If Bednar is used on Saturday, it will be back-to-back games.
- Brad Keller (PHI): If Duran pitches today, it will be two straight appearances.
- Jose A. Ferrer (SEA): Muñoz secured the save on Friday. If he works again today, he will be unavailable on Sunday.
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It was a microcosm of how these two teams are built and play on Friday night. Tampa Bay thrives in close contests, relying on its bullpen and defense. New York’s bullpen remains its Achilles heel, and defense can be spotty at times. This played out in a late-inning rally in game one of the series between two of the best three records in the American League.
Closing out his 14th save, Bryan Baker worked around a one-out walk to Austin Wells by retiring Austin Wells on a groundout and Aaron Judge on a game-ending lineout to left-center. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout.
Through 21.1 innings, he owns a 1.031 WHIP with 25 strikeouts versus nine walks (18.6 K-BB%) while converting 14 of 17 save opportunities. Kevin Kelly notched his 11th hold, stranding a runner and retiring his only batter in the eighth. Ian Seymour logged 1.2 innings, yielding two hits and an earned run while striking out two, collecting his third win.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Ian Seymour | Kevin Kelly
As for the Yankees, Brent Headrick allowed two hits and was removed with one out, getting credit for his seventh hold, with the lead still 1 – 0 at the top of the seventh. Fernando Cruz stranded two runners, striking out Nick Fortes and Taylor Walls for his tenth hold.
Tim Hill struggled, as did the defense behind him, giving up three hits, four runs (three earned), and a walk, without recording an out, resulting in his second loss and a first blown save at the top of the eighth. Chandler Simpson reached on an error by José Caballero, followed by a Junior Caminero single, an RBI double by Jonathan Aranda, an intentional walk to Yandy Díaz, and a Richie Palacios two-RBI single on a ball deflected by Hill, prompting his removal.
Camilo Doval stranded one of two inherited runners, retiring all three batters at the top of the eighth. David Bednar worked a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out three on 20 pitches (70 Strike%) with four whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Including this contest, the Rays’ bullpen ranks first in Win Probability Added this season, while the Yankees are 26th. In one-run games, Tampa Bay owns a 9-1 record while New York is 5-11 (.313), a factor in the five-and-a-half games that separate them in the standings. Will this continue all weekend? Stay tuned.
Three Takeaways
Vintage Fairbanks? Save number six for Pete Fairbanks, preserving a one-run lead against the Mets. He worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending flyout. In this outing, he threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (20 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts.
It’s his first save since April 22, and snapped a three-game streak during which he allowed at least a run. Michael Petersen notched his fifth hold, yielding a hit and striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth. Andrew Nardi logged a scoreless combined inning and recorded two strikeouts for his seventh hold. For those in SOLDS leagues, note the bridge to Fairbanks in case the leverage roles are shifting from the veterans to the two used in this contest. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Calvin Faucher | Anthony Bender
Rico in the sixth? Handed a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Anthony Nunez retired the side and recorded two strikeouts while facing Detroit’s 6-7-8 lineup pocket. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%).
It has been an eventful May for the rookie reliever. He has been scoreless in six of his nine games, but has allowed multiple runs three times, with a 1-1 record and converting two of three save chances while posting a 1.561 WHIP and ten strikeouts against five walks across 8.1 innings. Tyler Wells notched his seventh hold with a clean eighth and a strikeout. Yennier Cano worked a clean seventh, striking out two for his fourth hold. Rico Garcia stranded two inherited runners while retiring both batters, one via strikeout, in the sixth, securing his eighth hold. This may have been weather-related or the highest-leveraged moment in the game, but for those trying to mine saves from him, it’s frustrating.
Updated Hierarchy: *Rico Garcia | *Anthony Nunez | Yennier Cano
*= closer-by-committee
King Louis working overtime: Forced into action at the top of the eighth with two runners on and zero outs, Louis Varland stranded one of two runners, throwing a wild pitch before retiring Bryan Reynolds on an RBI groundout. Then Varland bore down, retiring the next two batters and returning for a clean top of the ninth. He worked clean frames, striking out three on 31 pitches (22 strikes – 71 Strike%) while inducing three whiffs for his seventh save.
This marks his second two-inning outing in his last four appearances since May 16. Mason Fluharty was credited with his seventh hold, allowing a hit, an earned run, and a walk during one-third of the eighth. Both Tyler Rogers and Jeff Hoffman had pitched the two previous games, but Varland’s workload should be monitored moving forward.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday’s slate.
American League
Cleveland Guardians
Capping his team’s go-ahead rally at the top of the ninth, Cade Smith shut the door on his MLB-leading 17th save, retiring the Phillies’ top of the lineup in order, one via strikeout, sealing the combined shutout. He threw eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (25 SwStr%). Smith has a modest six-game scoreless streak and has converted his last 14 save chances since April 16, recording a 0.957 WHIP with 25 strikeouts against two walks (39 K-BB%) over his last 15.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski | Colin Holderman
Houston Astros
After taking over with two runners on and two outs at the bottom of the eighth, Bryan King stranded both runners, working around a fielding error with an inning-ending groundout by Nico Hoerner. King returned for the ninth and retired the side against the Cubs’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket, securing his fifth save. He logged 1.1 scoreless frames on 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with one whiff. Through nine games in May, he’s converted four of five save chances and three holds while posting a 1.218 WHIP with four strikeouts versus four walks across 10.2 innings.
- Bryan Abreu opened the eighth by retiring the first two batters, then hit Carson Kelly with a pitch and walked Pete Crow-Armstrong, prompting his removal. He was credited with his third hold during two-thirds scoreless.
- Enyel De Los Santos worked 1.2 clean frames and recorded a strikeout for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan Abreu | *Bryan King | Enyel De Los Santos
Minnesota Twins
Because, why not? Anthony Banda protected a two-run lead after being summoned at the bottom of the eighth with two runners on and two outs. He retired all four batters faced, one via strikeout, for his first save of the season. He becomes the tenth Twins pitcher with a save this season, the most by any franchise to this point. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last five outings.
- Eric Orze issued a walk and recorded a strikeout while recording two outs in the eighth for his fifth hold.
- Yoendrys Gómez secured his third hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the seventh.
- Travis Adams was awarded his first win, logging two scoreless innings, walking one, and striking out three.
Updated Hierarchy: *Yoendrys Gómez | *Eric Orze | *Anthony Banda
*= closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners
Shutting the door on his ninth save and completing a combined shutout, Andrés Muñoz retired the side while facing Kansas City’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw 16 pitches (56.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
- Matt Brash navigated around two hits and recorded a strikeout for his fifth hold during the bottom of the eighth.
- Eduard Bazardo collected his third win, stranding two runners at the bottom of the sixth, and firing 1.1 clean frames while striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Jose A. Ferrer
Quick Hits
- Kansas City Royals: With no score in the contest, Nick Mears issued a walk and served up a go-ahead two-run home run by Mitch Garver at the top of the seventh, resulting in his third loss. Alex Lange worked a clean eighth. Eli Morgan tossed a clean top of the ninth.
- Los Angeles Angels: Finishing a win over Texas, Mitch Farris gave up a solo home run by Danny Jansen and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth. Sam Bachman allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth for his ninth hold. Tayler Saucedo let one of two inherited runners score, giving up a hit during one-third of the seventh for his first hold. Brent Suter worked a combined inning, yielding a hit, an earned run, and a walk while getting credit for his third hold.
- Texas Rangers: Appearing in an eventual loss, Chris Martin allowed three hits, including a solo home run by Zach Neto, and two earned runs during the bottom of the eighth in his first outing back from the injured list.
- The Athletics: Although he was not a factor in the game’s decision, Jack Perkins struggled, giving up four hits and three earned runs while recording two strikeouts across his 1.1 innings in San Diego. He has allowed at least a run in three of his last five games, and multiple runs in two.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Things started well for Ryan Thompson; he stranded an inherited runner by inducing an inning-ending groundout by Willi Castro at the top of the eighth. However, he suffered his first loss, giving up three hits, including a one-out double by Sterlin Thompson, followed by a go-ahead RBI single by Chad Stevens during the ninth. He finished with three hits, an earned run, and a strikeout.
- Juan Morillo suffered his third blown save, and second in his last two outings, allowing a hit, an earned run, and a walk with one strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Brandyn Garcia notched his third hold, stranding two runners and retiring his only batter in the seventh.
- Taylor Clarke gave up a hit and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh, credited with his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Taylor Clarke
Atlanta Braves
Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Tyler Kinley collected his fourth win. He fired a clean top of the 11th and recorded two strikeouts against the Nationals, throwing 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). Dylan Lee gave up a hit, two runs (one earned), and a walk during the top of the tenth.
Raisel Iglesias extended his personal scoreless streak to 28.1 innings with a clean ninth and a strikeout. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced three whiffs.
- Robert Suarez suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, including a game-tying solo home run by CJ Abrams at the top of the eighth.
- Didier Fuentes yielded two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Colorado Rockies
With the score tied and a runner at second base, Antonio Senzatela took over at the bottom of the eighth. He hit Nolan Arenado with a pitch, then induced an inning-ending double play grounder by Ildemaro Vargas. Returning for the ninth with a one-run lead, he retired the side for his fourth win. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He has recorded at least five outs in 14 of his 15 appearances this season, posting a 0.781 WHIP with 26 strikeouts against eight walks (15.3 K-BB%) and three saves. He remains a very valuable reliever, but he has only been deployed in a traditional save situation once this season.
- Brennan Bernardino stranded a runner during the seventh inning and allowed an infield hit during two-thirds combined innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Juan Mejia | Jaden Hill | Antonio Senzatela
Milwaukee Brewers
Called upon with two runners on and two outs at the top of the eighth, Chad Patrick induced an inning-ending groundout, thwarting the threat. He returned for the ninth, retiring the side for his second save. He threw 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless across his last five relief outings, spanning 9.2 innings, during which he has posted a 0.414 WHIP with nine strikeouts against one walk (25.8 K-BB%).
- Aaron Ashby hit a batter and issued a walk during 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Shane Drohan allowed a hit, an unearned run, and two walks while striking out two across his 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Abner Uribe | Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby
Philadelphia Phillies
Entering a scoreless tie at the top of the ninth, Jhoan Duran was not sharp, giving up a leadoff single by José Ramírez, though he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Kyle Manzardo launched a first-pitch splitter over the left field fence, followed by a popout and a strikeout, ending the inning, but the damage had been done, snapping his five-game scoreless streak.
Duran suffered his second loss, giving up two hits and an earned run. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and only induced one whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
San Diego Padres
In a non-save outing, Jeremiah Estrada closed out a four-run lead with a clean top of the ninth while striking out one against the A’s 8-9-1 lineup pocket.
- Jason Adam notched his tenth hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Adrian Morejon collected his fourth win after stranding all three inherited runners at the top of the sixth, and retiring all four batters, three via strikeout. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%).
- Bradgely Rodriguez gave up two hits and a walk during two-thirds of the sixth before being removed.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Washington Nationals
Tasked with a tied score at the bottom of the 11th, Paxton Schultz suffered his second loss, striking out one and allowing a walkoff RBI single by Chadwick Tromp. Orlando Ribalta gave up two hits, two runs (one earned), and two walks at the bottom of the tenth, resulting in his first blown save.
- Gus Varland worked a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out one versus Atlanta’s 5-6-7-8 hitters.
- Clayton Beeter fired a clean eighth, striking out two while facing the 2-3-4 lineup pocket.
- Mitchell Parker was charged with his second blown save, allowing three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Gus Varland | *Richard Lovelady
*= closer-by-committee
Note the lineup lanes with Beeter back from the injured list.
Quick Hits
- New York Mets: As the “bulk follower,” Sean Manaea was charged with his first loss, giving up four hits and an earned run while striking out three across 3.2 innings. Jonah Tong worked three scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Fading further from save consideration, Dennis Santana allowed three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two at the bottom of the eighth in an eventual loss in Toronto. He’s allowed at least a run in three of his last four games, and three earned in two of these contests.
- San Francisco Giants: Getting in work during an eventual loss, Erik Miller turned in a much-needed scoreless top of the sixth, walking one and striking out two. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) with three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%).
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