Wednesday’s 16-game slate featured nine reliever wins, 10 saves, and seven losses, with seven blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 611 saves this season by 174 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture options:
Vulture Save Options for 6.25.2026
- Bryan King (HOU): Hader has pitched in consecutive games and in three of the previous four. One caveat, Bryan Abreu could be activated from the restricted list before the game in Detroit, if so, he’s the preferred target. Monitor this until lineups lock in your league.
- Camilo Doval (NYY): Bednar and Cruz have worked in back-to-back games, leaving Aaron Boone and fantasy players with no other choice in Boston tonight.
Vulture Save Stash for 6.26.2026
- Orion Kerkering (PHI): If Duran pitches today, it’s back-to-back games, and he warmed up to throw on Tuesday.
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.
Slamming the door on his team’s comeback and his 19th save, Jhoan Duran fired a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out the side on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) with four whiffs (25 SwStr%). He owns a modest five-game scoreless streak and has been scoreless in nine of ten games this month, recording a 0.889 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and no walks (50 K-BB%) through nine innings.
- Seth Johnson collected his first win, tossing a clean bottom of the eighth ahead of his team’s rally in the ninth.
A separator between contending teams and teams vying for playoff spots can be the bullpen. First:
Although the bullpen is not perfect, having Duran as an anchor stabilizes it, and these results, courtesy of Baseball Reference, illustrate the difference in converting save opportunities when they are presented:
In one-run games, the Phillies are 16-6 (.727) and the Nationals are 11-12 (.478). It may not happen, but Washington has a pitcher in the minors who could follow a similar path blazed by Duran, an oft-injured starter who thrives as a reliever: Jarlin Susana. The team may not give up on him being a starting pitcher, but it’s unlikely that the team will be active at the trade deadline, acquiring one of the few closers placed on the block. Until something changes, blown leads will continue. As for the Phillies, no changes:
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Orion Kerkering | José Alvarado
Three Takeaways
Another Washington Debacle: Called on with a runner on and two outs, Richard Lovelady allowed a pinch-hit go-ahead two-run home run by Derek Hill, resulting in his fourth loss and third blown save. Orlando Ribalta was credited with his seventh hold, recording two outs and issuing a walk to Kyle Schwarber before being removed, ending with an earned run on his line. PJ Poulin secured his sixth hold, stranding a runner in the seventh and logging 1.1 clean frames while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Gus Varland | *Brad Lord
*= closer-by-committee
Elvis can be cruel: Not only could Elvis Alvarado not complete the combined shutout, but he suffered his third loss and first blown save, allowing solo home runs by Rafael Devers and Victor Bericoto during two-thirds of the bottom of the ninth. He has allowed six hits across his last four appearances, with home runs accounting for four of them, resulting in three losses and a win. Luis Medina issued two walks and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth, securing his fifth hold. Hogan Harris worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two against the Giants’ 4-5-6-7 pocket. Justin Sterner retired the side against the top of the lineup in the sixth. Alvarado remains in the mix for saves, but he cannot keep serving up pitches in or near the heart of the strike zone:
Updated Hierarchy: *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado | Justin Sterner
*= closer-by-committee
Return of the “Glitch”? Capping his team’s rally, Jimmy Herget locked down his second save, firing a clean top of the ninth and recording two strikeouts against Boston’s 9-1-2 pocket, throwing 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) with four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%). It’s his first save since April first and his third scoreless outing this month with multiple strikeouts. Antonio Senzatela collected his eighth win, tossing two clean frames while striking out two. He threw 33 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (12.1 SwStr%).
Before this game, the team placed Jaden Hill on the 15-day injured list:
Updated Hierarchy: *Jimmy Herget | *Victor Vodnik | *Antonio Senzatela
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – With two outs at the bottom of the tenth, Keegan Akin induced a groundball to second, but was late covering first and bobbled the throw, letting the “courtesy runner” score and Nolan Schanuel to reach third on the error. This was followed by Logan O’Hoppe’s 15-foot topper, scoring a second unearned run and handing Akin his first loss and first blown save.
Ryan Helsley turned in a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two on 16 pitches (13 strikes – 81.3 Strike%) and four whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- Andrew Kittredge suffered his second blown save, letting both inherited runners score while giving up a walk and a game-tying two-RBI single by Wade Meckler during one-third of the eighth.
- Rico Garcia stranded two runners in the seventh, but gave up two hits and a walk, resulting in three earned runs across his combined inning, getting credit for his 11th hold.
- Yennier Cano issued two walks and recorded two strikeouts during two-thirds of the seventh, recording his seventh hold.
- Tyler Wells tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out four for his tenth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Yennier Cano | Andrew Kittredge
Cleveland Guardians – Picking up his teammate and his second win of the season, Shawn Armstrong wriggled out of a bases-loaded situation with one out by inducing consecutive groundouts, sealing a one-run lead and stranding the “courtesy runner” at the bottom of the tenth. He also stranded two runners at the bottom of the ninth, getting an inning-ending flyout against Miguel Vargas, preserving the tied score.
Cade Smith suffered his third blown save, allowing three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the ninth. He’s allowed multiple hits and runs across his last two appearances in this series. His struggles are usually tied to command with his four-seam, first, his illustrator:
And, his results in this outing:
I think fatigue is a factor; remain patient.
- Tim Herrin notched his 13th hold, stranding two runners and retiring his only batter in the eighth.
- Hunter Gaddis gave up two hits during two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his 13th hold.
- Colin Holderman stranded one runner, recording an out in the seventh for his seventh hold.
- Erik Sabrowski gave up two hits, an earned run, and struck out one during two-thirds of the seventh for his 18th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Tim Herrin
Houston Astros – Sealing a two-run lead and his sixth save, Josh Hader worked around a one-out walk to Vlad Guerrero Jr. with consecutive strikeouts. He threw 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. This represents his second outing on back-to-back days. He has been scoreless in nine of ten games this season, posting a 0.40 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against two walks (41.2 K-BB%) in ten innings.
- Bryan King allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth for his eighth hold.
- Steven Okert collected his first win, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan King | Bryan Abreu
Los Angeles Angels – Benefiting from a walk-off rally at the bottom of the tenth, Chase Silseth collected his third win and recorded one strikeout. He also allowed an earned run on two hits, with the “courtesy runner” thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice groundout, but Pete Alonso produced an RBI single with two outs.
- Sam Bachman fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one while keeping the score tied. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Samy Natera Jr. logged 1.2 clean frames and recorded two strikeouts. José Fermin retired all four batters, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: *Sam Bachman | *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Chase Silseth
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees -Securing his 16th save, David Bednar allowed Kevin McGonigle’s two-out single and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless bottom of the ninth, protecting a two-run lead in Detroit. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) without a whiff. This extends his scoreless streak to 11 games, during which he has a win while converting all five save chances with a 0.67 WHIP and 14 strikeouts against three walks (25 K-BB%) through 12 innings.
- Fernando Cruz notched his 13th hold, giving up a hit and striking out four over 1.1 scoreless frames.
- Camilo Doval stranded a runner despite issuing a walk during two-thirds of the seventh for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Camilo Doval
Tampa Bay Rays – Despite giving up a one-out solo home run by Josh Rojas, Bryan Baker recorded two strikeouts en route to his 20th save. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). This snapped his 12-game scoreless streak, but he has converted all nine save chances over his last 13 appearances while posting a 0.615 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus three walks (18.8 K-BB%) across 13 innings.
- Garrett Cleavinger secured his 12th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Kevin Kelly worked a clean seventh for his 16th hold.
- Cole Sulser gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless sixth, notching his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Another rough day for this bullpen in Colorado. Justin Slaten suffered his fourth loss, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out one at the bottom of the eighth. Danny Coulombe was tagged with his first blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score on a Troy Johnston RBI single and retiring Ezequiel Tovar on a groundout during one-third of the seventh. Tyron Guerrero gave up two hits and three unearned runs with one strikeout in two-thirds of the seventh, credited with his fifth hold.
- Chicago White Sox: Tasked with the top of the tenth, Grant Taylor recorded a strikeout against Kyle Manzardo, allowed a single by Rhys Hoskins, and an RBI single by Kahlil Watson, scoring the “courtesy runner,” then induced two inning-ending groundouts. However, the damage had been done, resulting in his first loss when his team failed to score at the bottom of the frame.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Getting tagged with his fifth loss, Jeff Hoffman gave up a one-out triple by Joey Loperfido, then committed a throwing error on a pickoff attempt, scoring the eventual game-deciding run. He worked 1.1 innings, allowing a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out two.
National League
Los Angeles Dodgers – Facing two pinch-hitters and Byron Buxton with a runner on and two outs with a one-run margin, Tanner Scott bore down, recording a game-ending strikeout for his 11th save. He allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts while throwing 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). He has racked up five saves in his last five appearances, giving up one hit and striking out eight (47.1 K-BB%) across 5.1 innings.
- Alex Vesia navigated around two hits with three strikeouts for a scoreless eighth, securing his 12th hold.
- Kyle Hurt issued two walks and struck out one in the seventh for his eighth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Kyle Hurt
Miami Marlins – Although he allowed a solo home run by Joc Pederson for a second straight appearance, Pete Fairbanks closed out his 12th save, retiring the next three batters while preserving a two-run margin. He threw ten pitches (80 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (20 SwStr%). Through ten games in June, he has a win, six saves, and a hold while posting a 1.241 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against four walks (16.7 K-BB%) across 9.2 innings.
- Michael Petersen fired a clean eighth, striking out the side against the bottom third of the lineup for his 11th hold.
- Anthony Bender worked 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two.
- John King collected his fifth win as the first reliever, taking over at the top of the fifth. He retired three of four batters faced, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Anthony Bender
Milwaukee Brewers – Forced into action at the bottom of the eighth with two outs, Joel Kuhnel hit Eugenio Suárez with a pitch, then induced an inning-ending groundout by Noelvi Marte. Returning for the ninth, he allowed a leadoff single and issued two walks, but generated a game-ending double play groundout against Dane Myers, preserving the one-run lead for his sixth save, second with the Brewers.
- Craig Yoho was credited with his first hold, stranding the bases loaded in the seventh, but gave up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk during his combined inning.
- Grant Anderson allowed two hits, an earned run, and two walks across two-thirds of the seventh.
- Chad Patrick stranded a runner in the fifth and collected his fifth win despite giving up a hit, an earned run, and three walks while striking out one during his 1.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Pittsburgh Pirates – Taking the baton from Braxton Ashcraft and logging three scoreless frames, Carmen Mlodzinski worked around two hits and recorded three strikeouts for his second save of the season. He threw 39 pitches (76.9 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (7.7 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last two outings and remains a streaming option for those seeking saves in deep formats.
Hierarchy Remains: Gregory Soto | Mason Montgomery | Carmen Mlodzinski
San Diego Padres – Filling in capably, Jason Adam closed out a three-run lead against Atlanta’s 7-8-9 hitters by retiring the side for his second save. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%).
- Wandy Peralta gave up a hit during a scoreless eighth, securing his third hold.
- David Morgan logged 1.1 clean frames while striking out one for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon
San Francisco Giants – After tossing a scoreless top of the ninth, stranding a runner while walking (intentional – Shea Langeliers) and striking out one against the A’s 2-3-4-5 batters, Erik Miller collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Dylan Smith allowed a solo home run by Max Muncy and recorded a strikeout, and departed after hitting Henry Bolte at the top of the ninth.
- Ryan Walker retired the side, striking out one at the top of the seventh.
- Sam Hentges stranded a runner, retiring his only batter in the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Caleb Kilian | Ryan Walker | Erik Miller
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: As the first reliever out of the bullpen, Ryan Thompson was awarded his third win. He logged two innings, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out two across the fourth and fifth innings.
- Chicago Cubs: During Game 2, Jacob Webb finished off the sweep with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, issuing two walks and recording one strikeout. Trent Thornton notched his first hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Hoby Milner worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and a walk with one strikeout for his sixth hold.
- New York Mets: Getting in work in Game 2, and with no help from his defense, Devin Williams allowed three unearned runs on three hits while striking out one, most of which could have been avoided by a play at third base or a shallow popup being caught. A.J. Minter gave up an unearned run and recorded a strikeout in the eighth. Luke Weaver tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one. Brooks Raley suffered his second loss, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk during the top of the sixth.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: