Saturday’s slate featured five reliever wins, five saves, five losses, and five blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 440 saves this season by 144 different pitchers.
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.31.2026
- Bryan Hudson (CHW): Domínguez has pitched in back-to-back games, and Taylor logged two innings yesterday.
- Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT): Soto has appeared in consecutive contests, opening the door for the former starter who can log a multiple-inning save if needed.
- Tyler Rogers (TOR): His arm angle allows for heavy usage patterns; he did throw yesterday, and in three of the previous four, like Varland and Hoffman. If the team makes all three unavailable, then it’s Braydon Fisher for another vulture save.
- Drew Anderson (DET): If he’s available, I think Hinch trusts him the most right now between him, Vest, and Finnegan.
- Matt Strahm (KC): He’s supposed to be activated before today’s game, and Erceg suffered his fifth blown save yesterday.
- Kyle Hurt (PHI): Vesia and Scott have appeared in back-to-back contests, and Hurt has the lowest wOBA among the remaining relievers against left-handed pitching.
Vulture Save Stashes for 6.1.2026
- Luke Weaver (NYM): If Williams pitches today, it will be two straight games.
- Caleb Ferguson (CIN): Trusting anyone in this bullpen right now is difficult, but if Santillan is used today, it’s back-to-back games.
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Handed a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Lucas Erceg allowed a leadoff home run by Joc Pederson, followed by Josh Jung reaching on an infield single with a wide throw by Bobby Witt Jr., an infield hit by Brandon Nimmo, and an opposite-field single by Jake Burger to load the bases. Erceg suffered his third loss and his MLB-leading fifth blown save on Ezequiel Duran’s walk-off RBI single without recording an out. He’s allowed multiple runs in three consecutive outings and at least a run in five of his last six. Following this contest, he owns a 1.922 WHIP across 21.1 innings.
Despite his recent outcomes, he will remain a high-leverage option according to this post by Jaylon Thompson of The Kansas City Star:
His manager can spin this any way he prefers, but Erceg is allowing too much contact while maintaining a reduced swing rate. Increased traffic on the bases has resulted in his poor outcomes:
His last clean appearance was on May 2. In the eight games since, he has recorded a WHIP of three, allowing 18 hits and three walks across his last seven innings, converting two of five save opportunities. High-leverage help could be on the way. Matt Strahm, reportedly, will be activated before today’s game, and Carlos Estévez has started throwing per the injury updates on MLB.com:
This may be a leverage ladder in flux, but Strahm recorded six saves for Philadelphia last year. He could be called on for more soon by the Royals. As for Erceg, he can be reserved for those taking a wait and see approach, but his ratios have not been worth the risk in the last two weeks.
Projected Hierarchy: *Lucas Erceg | *Matt Strahm | Daniel Lynch IV
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Schneider’s chess moves result in a loss: In order of appearance, Yariel Rodríguez notched his first hold, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in the sixth. Tyler Rogers retired the side in the seventh for his 11th hold, facing the 8-9-1 hitters. Louis Varland was deployed in the eighth against Baltimore’s 2-3-4 lineup pocket and retired the side while striking out one for his fifth hold. With a four-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Jeff Hoffman entered, and after recording a strikeout, things went awry fast. He hit Coby Mayo with a pitch, gave up an RBI triple by Leody Taveras, an RBI single by Jackson Holliday, a double by Colton Cowser, and consecutive walks, prompting his removal. Connor Seabold replaced him and walked in the tying run, then allowed Pete Alonso’s walk-off RBI single. Hoffman was tagged with his fourth loss, finishing with three hits, five earned runs, and two walks over one-third of the ninth. Seabold was charged with his first blown save. This sort of pattern worked in previous games, but this was classic micromanaging.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Scott’s streak is snapped: Lined up against the top of the Phillies’ batting order, Tanner Scott took over at the top of the eighth. He allowed a leadoff single by Justin Crawford, retired Kyle Schwarber on a groundout, and Trea Turner on a flyout. However, with two outs, things turned on a Bryce Harper RBI single, followed by Edmundo Sosa’s go-ahead two-run home run, resulting in Scott’s second loss and his first blown save, snapping his 12-game scoreless streak. First, his illustrator:
And, his results:
Sometimes, you tip your cap to the competition. Earlier in the contest, Alex Vesia notched his eighth hold, stranding two runners in the sixth, walking and striking out one during two-thirds of the inning. Kyle Hurt tossed a clean seventh, striking out one for his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Kyle Hurt
Palencia and patience still required: Death, taxes, and Chicago tacking on runs preventing a save opportunity for its closer? It may not be true, but it feels like it. Daniel Palencia warmed up for the save, but his teammates scored two runs at the top of the ninth, extending the lead to five runs. Palenica entered against the top of the lineup in St. Louis, allowing a leadoff single by JJ Wetherholt, inducing a fielder’s choice groundout against Iván Herrera, a single by Jordan Walker with the runner thrown at third, and a game-ending flyout. He has not recorded a save since May 14 and has only appeared in eight games this month. Jacob Webb secured his third hold, walking and striking out one during a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
Only one team has fewer save opportunities than the Cubs’ 17 through their first 58 games this season: the Mets, with only 16. As for Palencia, he last recorded a save on May 14 and has not had a chance in four appearances since.
Updated Hierarchy: Daniel Palencia | Jacob Webb | Caleb Thielbar
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday’s slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
Using a Magic 8-Ball may be appropriate for predicting how Grant Taylor will be used. Is he the opener? Will he get the save? Is he pitching one or two innings? As for Saturday, he took over at the top of the sixth, retiring all six batters faced, four via strikeout, while securing his fourth hold. He threw 31 pitches (24 strikes – 77.4 Strike%) and induced three whiffs.
Seranthony Domínguez fired a clean top of the eighth, striking out one on 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) for his first hold. In a non-save outing,
- Trevor Richards closed out the six-run margin with a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Grant Taylor | Bryan Hudson
Texas Rangers
It seemed rather inconsequential when Peyton Gray allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the ninth with his team trailing by two. However, he earned his first MLB win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Chris Martin issued a walk and served up a two-run home run by Carter Jensen during the top of the eighth.
- Jakob Junis gave up three hits and an earned run while striking out two across two-thirds of the seventh, suffering his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score.
- Tyler Alexander allowed three hits, resulting in three earned runs, and only retired one batter in the seventh, but was credited with his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Chris Martin
The Athletics
Pressed into action with the bases loaded and two outs, Scott Barlow let all three score, issuing three consecutive walks to Ben Rice, Aaron Judge, and Cody Bellinger, then inducing a game-ending groundout by Jazz Chisolm Jr., recording one of the ugliest saves of the season. It’s his second of the season, though it will not benefit a team’s ratios. He threw 23 pitches (9 strikes – 39.1 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He has recorded a save in two of his last three appearances.
- Jack Perkins struggled during a non-save outing, taking over with a five-run lead. He gave up a one-out single, followed by a walk, and after another walk with two outs, was removed, but all three runs are on his ledger.
- Justin Sterner worked a clean eighth.
- Hogan Harris secured his ninth hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Hogan Harris | *Mark Leiter Jr. | *Scott Barlow
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Even though he allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk at the top of the ninth, Albert Suárez collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Cleveland Guardians: With the score tied at the top of the sixth, Matt Festa allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two, resulting in his first loss.
National League
Atlanta Braves
Shutting the door on his tenth save, Raisel Iglesias retired the side against the Reds’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He’s converted 28 consecutive save chances since July 28, 2025. In this outing, he threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout. He has been scoreless in eight of nine outings this month, posting a 1.00 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus two walks (22.9 K-BB%) across nine innings.
- Robert Suarez retired the side in the eighth, securing his eighth hold.
- Dylan Lee notched his tenth hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
- Tyler Kinley worked a clean sixth and recorded a strikeout for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Philadelphia Phillies
Capping his team’s comeback, Jhoan Duran sealed a one-run margin with a clean bottom of the ninth, dispensing the Dodgers’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket on eight pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs (25 SwStr%), nailing down his 12th save. He’s been scoreless in nine of his last 10 outings, posting a 0.80 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against two walks (37.8 K-BB%) across 10 innings while converting all seven save chances.
- Brad Keller worked a clean eighth, striking out one for his eighth hold.
- Orion Kerkering was awarded his third win despite giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out two in the seventh.
- José Alvarado stranded a runner in the sixth, retiring both batters faced.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | Orion Kerkering
Pittsburgh Pirates
Forced into action at the top of the eighth with two runners on and two outs, Gregory Soto induced an inning-ending groundout against Kody Clemens, thwarting the threat. Returning for the ninth, he navigated around a one-out walk with three flyouts, securing his seventh save. He threw 23 pitches (13 strikes – 56.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. Through 12 games this month, he’s posted a 0.692 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against five walks (14.3 K-BB%) across 13 innings.
- Mason Montgomery gave up two hits, two earned runs, and two walks over two-thirds of the eighth, but was credited with his seventh hold.
- Dennis Santana retired both batters in the seventh via strikeout for his fourth hold.
- Evan Sisk worked 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two for his third hold.
- Yohan Ramírez was awarded his third win, tossing a clean top of the fifth and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Gregory Soto | Mason Montgomery | Carmen Mlodzinski
Washington Nationals
Summoned with the bases loaded and two outs, Clayton Beeter induced an inning-ending groundout by Ty France, preserving the three-run lead. He returned for the ninth and worked around two walks, resulting in his third save. He finished with two walks and a strikeout across 1.1 innings, throwing 11 of 22 pitches for strikes with two whiffs. It’s his first save since April 11, and his fourth scoreless appearance since his activation from the injured list.
- Gus Varland created the save situation, allowing a one-out double and issuing three walks, including one with the bases loaded, prompting his removal with two outs.
- Brad Lord collected his third win, tossing two scoreless frames while issuing a walk and striking out two. He’s been scoreless in five of his last six outings, posting a 0.60 WHIP with 15 strikeouts versus one walk (25 K-BB%) with two wins and two holds.
Updated Hierarchy: *Richard Lovelady | *Clayton Beeter | *Gus Varland
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Cincinnati Reds: With two leverage relievers placed on the injured list in the last two days (Graham Ashcraft and Pierce Johnson), this bullpen has been decimated. In an eventual loss, Tony Santillan tossed a clean top of the eighth while facing Atlanta’s 5-6-7 hitters and recorded a strikeout.
- New York Mets: Making a non-save appearance, Devin Williams closed out a five-run lead with a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout. He threw eight pitches (75 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (25 SwStr%) against the Marlins’ 6-7-8 batters.
- San Diego Padres: Suffering his second blown save, Bradgely Rodriguez let all three inherited runners score at the bottom of the seventh, giving up a hit, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out two.
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