Monday’s 12-game slate featured six reliever wins (one bulk), nine saves, and five losses, with three blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 595 saves this season by 173 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture options:
Vulture Save Options for 6.23.2026
- Pierce Johnson (CIN): Back from the IL and with Santillan having worked in consecutive games while logging three innings, opens the door for a vulture save chance.
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Smith logged two innings and threw 28 pitches last night.
- Sean Newcomb (CHW): If taking the other side of this contest, Domínguez, Taylor, and Hudson have appeared in back-to-back contests.
- Tyler Alexander (TEX): Latz has been deployed in three of the previous four days, throwing a combined 54 pitches. Junis has pitched in back-to-back games and in three of the last four.
- Matt Svanson (STL): O’Brien, Romero, Soriano, and Stanek have pitched in two straight games, though Soriano has the lowest pitch count among them, keeping him potentially available.
Vulture Save Stashes for 6.24.2026
- Lucas Erceg (KC): If Lange pitches tonight, it will be consecutive appearances.
- Jeff Hoffman (TOR): If Varland is used today, it’s back-to-back games and would be three of the last four days.
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Before covering this voluminous slate, some historical perspective on Monday night. First:
Entering game play, there had been 586 saves of 1,157 wins through June 22, resulting in a 50.6 percent of wins with a save. On Monday, 75 percent of the 12-game slate had a save, and only one was decided by more than three runs.
Three Takeaways
A historic collapse in Colorado: In one of the strangest statistics of the night, Rockies hitters recorded eight consecutive hits across the eighth and ninth innings. Seeking to close out a combined shutout, Aroldis Chapman suffered his first blown save and third loss in walk-off fashion at Coors Field. He allowed consecutive singles by TJ Rumfield and Hunter Goodman, then Cole Carigg reached on an infield single during a sacrifice bunt attempt, but Andruw Monasterio was slow to cover first. With the bases loaded, Jake McCarthy produced a walk-off, three-RBI triple on a fortuitous bounce past Jarren Duran in left field. Chapman threw eight pitches, all strikes, and induced one whiff. In his postgame interview, he felt he kept his pitches at the corners, but his illustrator suggests otherwise:
And, his results:
This was his first blown save since July 23, 2025, a span of 29 consecutive saves converted while allowing a combined four hits and no earned runs in them. Here was the recap by Tim Healey for The Boston Globe:
As for McCarthy’s triple:
Garrett Whitlock navigated around four hits, with a runner thrown out at home, followed by a runner retired at third trying to advance an extra base, getting credit for his tenth hold. Tyron Guerrero retired the side in the seventh for his fourth hold. There is no need for fantasy managers to panic, but this may expedite the team’s trade deadline activity, putting the veteran closer on the block. Teams will be lining up for his services. For now, keep tabs on Guerrero; he’s forging a larger leverage share:
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Seranthony’s fifth blown save: Taking over at the top of the ninth, Chris Murphy let one of two inherited runners score on a sacrifice fly and recorded an inning-ending strikeout. He collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. Seranthony Domínguez suffered his fifth blown save, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the ninth. This was his second appearance in as many days after throwing 27 pitches on Sunday. Bryan Hudson stranded two runners at the top of the seventh and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, issuing a walk and striking out three. Grant Taylor was tagged with his second blown save, giving up three hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out two during two-thirds of the seventh, including a wild pitch.
A tipping point may have been reached despite the White Sox’s win in this contest. While there may not be a clear answer for the closer role, giving Taylor a defined share of leverage could lead him to take the job and run with it. Chicago has resisted this in the past, but as the underlying data reveals, he’s best suited for it even with his blown save in this contest:
Otherwise, the team must be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline for an established reliever to stabilize this bullpen. Could Chapman be a target? Stay tuned. For now, and it’s speculative:
Updated Hierarchy: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Seranthony Domínguez
*= closer-by-committee
Latz and workload management: Jacob Latz has been a savior for the Rangers. However, outside of him and Jakob Junis, are there reliable options during save situations? When viewing the team’s Win Probability Added results for the season, there is a clear delineation between the two “Jakes” and their teammates:
Although the team acknowledged it needs to use Latz in fewer extended save chances, he took over with two runners on and two outs at the bottom of the eighth in Miami. He allowed an RBI double by Kyle Stowers, issued an intentional walk, then induced an inning-ending groundout by Jakob Marsee. Returning for the ninth, he retired the side with two strikeouts, followed by a game-ending groundout for his 14th save. However, this marks his eighth save requiring four or more outs this season, and he threw 31 pitches (20 strikes – 64.5 Strike%) with six whiffs (19.4 SwStr%), putting his availability in doubt for the remainder of the series. This chart shows all of his save opportunities this season, highlighting his pitch totals, batters faced, and innings pitched in each:
There could be a cumulative effect on him if these multiple inning save chances continue as Josh Hader can attest to.
Also from this game, Junis allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk while recording two outs in the eighth for his ninth hold. Robby Ahlstrom collected his second win, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the seventh, ahead of his team’s go-ahead rally.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Peyton Gray
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday.
American League
Cleveland Guardians – After keeping his team within striking distance, retiring the side and recording two strikeouts at the bottom of the eighth, Cade Smith returned for the ninth with a one-run lead. However, a one-out walk, a check-swing opposite-field double by Tristan Peters, and a two-out walk-off two-RBI single by Sam Antonacci resulted in Smith’s first loss. He finished with two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out three on 28 pitches (19 strikes – 67.9 Strike%) with seven whiffs (25 SwStr%) across 1.2 innings. This snapped his modest scoreless streak, and he’s been deployed for four or more outs in four of his last five appearances. Despite this setback, he owns a 1.093 WHIP with 54 strikeouts against nine walks (31.5 K-BB%) through 35.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Tim Herrin
Detroit Tigers – Sealing a two-run lead after being forced into action at the top of the eighth, Will Vest secured his second save, stranding two runners in the eighth, then retiring the Yankees’ 8-9-1 pocket in order while recording two strikeouts in the ninth. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). It’s his first save since June first and he’s appeared in back-to-back games. As for not using Kenley Jansen:
- Drew Sommers allowed two hits and retired one batter in the eighth for his second hold.
- Drew Anderson allowed a two-run home run by Amed Rosario, hit a batter, and struck out two across 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
Kansas City Royals – Save number six for the “Turtleneck.” Alex Lange fired a clean bottom of the ninth against the Rays’ 4-5-6 hitters, throwing 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and producing two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) while recording a strikeout. He has converted all six save chances since June 3, posting a 1.44 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against six walks (9.5 K-BB%) across nine innings in this span.
- John Schreiber worked a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk and recording two strikeouts for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | Lucas Erceg
Toronto Blue Jays – Opening the top of the ninth with a lead-off walk, Louis Varland erased the runner with a double-play groundout against Joey Loperfido, then recorded a game-ending strikeout of Taylor Trammell for his 16th save, preserving a two-run lead over the Astros. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last four appearances and in eight of ten in June, posting a 0.667 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against three walks (29.5 K-BB%) across 12 innings for King Louis.
- Tyler Rogers navigated around two hits and a walk for a scoreless eighth, notching his 17th hold.
- Braydon Fisher stranded two runners in the sixth and retired all four batters, collecting his third win.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Spoiling the combined shutout, Rico Garcia allowed Jorge Soler’s leadoff home run at the bottom of the ninth, then retired the next three batters, one via strikeout, closing out a win in a non-save outing. He has allowed at least a run in three of his last six games.
- Houston Astros: Suffering his second loss, Enyel De Los Santos allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out two across 1.1 innings. Bryan King let one of his two inherited runners score on a go-ahead sacrifice fly by Myles Straw during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Los Angeles Angels: Tasked with the top of the ninth in an eventual five-run loss, Kirby Yates allowed a two-out infield single by Gunnar Henderson and recorded three strikeouts on 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) with seven whiffs (53.8 SwStr%).
National League
Cincinnati Reds – Despite throwing two innings on Sunday, Tony Santillan took over at the top of the tenth. His outing began with a walk, followed by a sacrifice bunt putting two runners in scoring position. After allowing the “courtesy runner” to score on a sacrifice fly, Santillan uncorked a wild pitch, scoring an earned run, resulting in his fourth loss.
- Brock Burke stranded a runner and retired Jake Bauers via strikeout in the ninth. Tejay Antone allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the ninth.
- Sam Moll fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Tony Santillan | Tejay Antone | Brock Burke
Los Angeles Dodgers – Shutting the door on his 10th save, Tanner Scott retired the side while preserving a one-run lead in Minnesota. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff, facing the 5-6-7 hitters. He has recorded a save in each of his last four appearances, all scoreless, lowering his season WHIP to 0.667 with 38 strikeouts versus three walks (29.9 K-BB%) through 32 innings.
- Kyle Hurt allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth for his seventh hold.
- Eric Lauer earned his third win, working as the “bulk follower,” issuing three walks and striking out two across six scoreless frames.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Will Klein
Milwaukee Brewers – Handed a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Joel Kuhnel let the “courtesy runner” score on consecutive groundouts, gave up a two-out infield single by Dane Myers, then induced a game-ending groundout by Spencer Steer for his fifth save, first with the Brewers. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced one whiff.
- Trevor Megill collected his second win, retiring the side and striking out one against the Reds’ 8-9-1 batters, throwing 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Abner Uribe worked a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Aaron Ashby retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
San Diego Padres – Preserving a 1-0 lead, Mason Miller worked around Austin Riley’s two-out single and Dominic Smith’s walk with a game-ending strikeout against Mike Yastrzemski, securing his National League-leading 21st save. He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. This marked only his seventh appearance in June, during which he has a 0.857 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against two walks (44.4 K-BB%) through seven innings.
- Adrian Morejon fired a clean top of the eighth and recorded two strikeouts, facing the top of the lineup. He owns an eight-game scoreless streak with a minuscule 0.414 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and no walks (40.6 K-BB%) across 9.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon
St. Louis Cardinals – Nailing down his 19th save, Riley O’Brien retired the side against Arizona’s 6-7-8 pocket, throwing 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) without a whiff. It’s been an up-and-down June for the closer, but he’s converted all five chances despite a 1.875 WHIP with six earned runs through eight innings.
- George Soriano retired his only batter in the eighth for his tenth hold.
- JoJo Romero retired all three batters across the seventh and eighth innings, notching his 18th hold.
- Ryne Stanek was credited with his 13th hold despite giving up two hits, including a solo home run (Tommy Troy), during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Washington Nationals – Securing his sixth save, Clayton Beeter worked around Bryce Harper’s leadoff single with a double-play groundout by Alec Bohm, followed by a game-ending strikeout of Justin Crawford, finishing off a three-run margin. He threw six pitches, all strikes, and produced two whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) in an efficient outing. He has converted a save in his last two outings and has been scoreless in four of his last five.
- Richard Lovelady retired Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber via strikeout for his seventh hold at the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Gus Varland | *Brad Lord
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: Logging two scoreless frames while issuing two walks, Victor Vodnik collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth. He threw 30 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff during his outing.
- Miami Marlins: Taking over a tied game at the top of the eighth, Calvin Faucher suffered his fourth loss, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and a walk against Texas. This snapped his nine-game scoreless streak.
Rehab Recon
Cincinnati Reds: Emilio Pagán completed a bullpen session on Monday and will begin his rehab assignment on Thursday with eyes on a return soon:
Kansas City Royals: Carlos Estévez finished a bullpen session on Sunday and will throw again on Wednesday per MLB.com:
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Statistical Credits: