Saturday’s slate featured nine reliever wins, nine saves, and eight losses, with four blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 631 saves this season by 178 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture options:
Vulture Save Options for 6.28.2026
- Andrew Kittredge (BAL): Helsley has appeared in consecutive contests, and Kittredge worked the ninth during a tied game yesterday. Those seeking innings could target Tyler Wells, who may log a two-inning outing.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA): Yates has pitched in back-to-back games, and Bachman threw 26 pitches last night.
- Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT): He’s had three days of rest since recording a three-inning save on June 24. Soto threw 33 pitches in a blown save yesterday.
Vulture Save Stash for 6.29.2026
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): He’s worked the two previous days and will be off this afternoon. If Smith pitches today, it’s back-to-back games for the closer.
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): If Hader pitches today, it’s back-to-back appearances.
- A.J. Minter (NYM): Williams and Weaver enter today’s game having pitched in three of the previous four days; if they are used, Minter will be rested on Monday after logging 1.2 innings yesterday.
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Usually, our introduction features a reliever, but as Saturday’s slate evolved, two teams joined the Twins with at least 10 different pitchers recording a save this season. Minnesota jumped out to an early lead with 11 relievers securing a save, on pace to threaten Arizona’s record-setting 17 pitchers with a save in 2025. However, when Chase Petty recorded his first career save, he became the 11th Reds pitcher with a save this season. He worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending lineout by Ryan O’Hearn. He threw 12 pitches (50 Strike%) and did not induce a whiff, but became the 11th Reds’ reliever with a save this season. He’s been adapting to his shift into the bullpen and could be an intriguing arm in the second half with Tony Santillan sidelined by an oblique injury.
Through 81 games, the Reds have converted 20 of 36 save opportunities according to Baseball Reference, resulting in a 55.6 percent success rate. As for the Twins, they have played 84 games, converting 22 of 33 save chances (66.7 percent success rate).
Washington became the third team with at least 10 pitchers with a save when Justin Lawrence, newly claimed off waivers from the Twins, navigated around a hit and a walk during a scoreless bottom of the tenth, securing his first save of the season while making his team debut. He benefited from CJ Abrams cutting down the “courtesy runner” at home for the second out of the inning. Clayton Beeter collected his third win, retiring the side and striking out two at the bottom of the ninth, keeping the game tied. Orlando Ribalta suffered his third blown save, letting his only inherited runner score and an earned run on his ledger, giving up two hits during one-third of the eighth.
Adding the Nationals into the mix, the team has recorded the most save opportunities as measured by Baseball Reference, with 50 this season, but has only converted 25. Building a deep, pliable bullpen is not easy. However, as blown saves accumulate, the margin for error narrows when vying for the postseason, which two of these three teams aspire to reach.
After Saturday’s games, the hierarchies for Cincinnati and Washington have changed, though it can be an almost daily occurrence for the Nationals:
Reds: Updated Hierarchy: *Chase Petty | *Brock Burke | *Pierce Johnson
*= closer-by-committee
If Emilio Pagán completes his second rehab outing later today, he could be activated and help stabilize this bullpen, but he’s still working with reduced velocity. Keep tabs on Petty moving forward, just in case.
Nationals: Updated Hierarchy: *Clayton Beeter | *Justin Lawrence | *Richard Lovelady
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Tasked with the top of the tenth, Ryan Helsley suffered his fourth loss, allowing the “ghost runner” to score on a leadoff RBI single by Daylen Lile, followed by a Jorbit Vivas single, before bearing down and retiring the next three batters, one via strikeout. Helsley threw 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Andrew Kittredge worked a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit and striking out two.
- Keegan Akin logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
Boston Red Sox – Securing his 16th save while preserving a three-run margin, Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless top of the ninth, navigating around an 11-pitch two-out walk by Cody Bellinger by inducing a game-ending pop-out by Jasson Domínguez. Chapman threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout. This was only his sixth appearance in June, and he’s converted four of five save chances with a 2.60 WHIP through five innings. The good news is that his velocity ticked up during this appearance:
- Garrett Whitlock retired the side at the top of the eighth for his 12th hold.
- Justin Slaten stranded both inherited runners while striking out both batters in the seventh, notching his ninth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Chicago White Sox – Taking over a tied game at the top of the eighth, Grant Taylor retired all six Royals faced, four via strikeout, then collected his third win on a walk-off at the bottom of the ninth. He threw 19 pitches (18 strikes – 94.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
Outings like this remind fantasy players how talented he is. Through 41.1 innings, he owns a 1.137 WHIP with 60 strikeouts against 12 walks (28.1 K-BB%).
- Sean Newcomb allowed two hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two during 1.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | *Seranthony Domínguez
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Sealing a one-run lead and working around traffic, Cade Smith notched his MLB-leading 25th save while facing Seattle. He allowed a one-out single by Julio Rodríguez and hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch before a game-ending groundout by Josh Naylor. Smith threw 14 pitches (64.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%) while striking out one during his outing. This snapped consecutive appearances with multiple runs against, and he’s converted five of six save chances in June.
- Hunter Gaddis stranded an inherited runner, yielding a hit and striking out one during a scoreless top of the eighth for his 14th hold.
- Shawn Armstrong opened the frame, giving up three hits, including a three-run home run by Arozarena.
- Erik Sabrowski stranded two runners and retired his only batter via strikeout in the seventh for his 19th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Houston Astros – Capping his team’s comeback, Josh Hader shut the door on his seventh save, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the ninth in Detroit. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) without a whiff. He has been scoreless in 10 of 11 appearances this month, posting a 0.364 WHIP with 17 strikeouts against two walks (40.5 K-BB%) across 11 innings.
- Bryan King worked a clean eighth against the top of the lineup and recorded a strikeout for his ninth hold.
- A.J. Blubaugh collected his fourth win, allowing two hits and striking out two across two scoreless frames.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan King | Bryan Abreu
Los Angeles Angels – Recording his first save since May 23 and second of the season, Kirby Yates fired a clean top of the ninth, facing the A’s 8-9-1 hitters. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) while striking out one. He has been scoreless in eight of his last nine appearances, but this represents only the second time he’s pitched during a high-leverage situation.
- Sam Bachman held on for his 12th hold, navigating around a hit and two walks while striking out one in the eighth.
- Ryan Zeferahn collected his fourth win, retiring the side and striking out two in the seventh.
- Chase Silseth stranded two runners while striking out his only batter in the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Kirby Yates | *Sam Bachman | *Ryan Zeferjahn
*= closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays – Locking down his 21st save, Bryan Baker retired Arizona’s 3-4-5 pocket on 10 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff. In eight appearances this month, he’s been scoreless in seven while converting all five save opportunities with a 0.25 WHIP and six strikeouts (22.2 K-BB%) across eight innings.
- Kevin Kelly stranded a runner at the top of the seventh, but allowed a solo home run by Ketel Marte in the eighth, finishing with two hits and two strikeouts during 1.1 innings, securing his 18th hold.
- Casey Legumina gave up two hits and recorded a strikeout across 1.1 scoreless frames for his fourth hold.
- Michael Grove collected his first win, logging three scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out four as the “bulk follower.”
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Texas Rangers – Preserving a three-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Tyler Alexander recorded his third save, retiring Toronto’s 9-1-2 hitters in order, including a pinch-hitter. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last five outings, and this was his first save since March 30.
- Peyton Gray did the heavy lifting, stranding a runner in the sixth and logging 2.1 scoreless frames while racking up four strikeouts, collecting his third win.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Peyton Gray
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: Suffering his fifth loss and fifth blown save, Will Vest allowed four hits, three runs (two earned), and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the eighth. A two-out rally turned this contest.
- Kansas City Royals: Although he stranded two runners at the bottom of the eighth, when Daniel Lynch IV returned for the ninth, things went awry when he gave up consecutive singles, and a bunt single loading the bases, with an awkward throw to third. John Schreiber replaced him, recording a strikeout, followed by a walk-off RBI single by Jacob Gonzalez, handing Lynch IV his second loss.
- The Athletics: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Geoff Hartlieb suffered his first loss, allowing two hits and an earned run during two-thirds of the inning.
National League
Colorado Rockies – Forced into action at the bottom of the ninth with a runner on and one out, Jimmy Herget stranded him, retiring Byron Buxton on a flyout, followed by a game-ending Austin Martin flyout, recording his third save. He threw nine pitches (44.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). Although he suffered the loss in extra-innings on Friday, Herget has recorded two saves in his last three outings.
- Zach Agnos created the chaos, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the ninth.
- Brennan Bernardino worked a scoreless eighth and recorded a strikeout.
- Victor Vodnik notched his third hold, retiring all four batters, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy: *Jimmy Herget | *Victor Vodnik | *Antonio Senzatela
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Closing out a four-run lead against the Phillies, Devin Williams worked a scoreless top of the ninth, walking and striking out one. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He has not allowed an earned run since June 7, but reducing his WHIP would be appreciated by the fantasy community.
- Luke Weaver fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Huascar Brazobán notched his sixth hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless seventh.
- A.J. Minter collected his first win, stranding a runner in the fight and working 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | A.J. Minter
Pittsburgh Pirates – Remember when Gregory Soto was attacking hitters at the onset of the season? His command has waned and was on full display during his meltdown against the Reds. He took over with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, allowing a leadoff single and walking Elly De La Cruz. After inducing a double play groundout by Sal Stewart, Soto walked JJ Bleday, a left-handed hitter, then served up a go-ahead three-run home run by Eugenio Suárez, resulting in his second loss and fourth blown save. He finished with two hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one on 33 pitches (18 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) with two whiffs. Placing him on the hot seat is easy; identifying a consistent replacement on the roster is not.
However, things may be reaching a tipping point, as shared in this column by Aiden Stepansky for MLB.com:
And punctuated by this note on X:
- Isaac Mattson retired the side and recorded two strikeouts, keeping the score tied at the top of the eighth.
- Yohan Ramírez let both inherited runners score in the sixth, giving up three hits and striking out two across two scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Gregory Soto | Mason Montgomery | Carmen Mlodzinski
Perhaps the team gives Montgomery a look or pares down Mlodzinski’s role into a one-inning reliever, but something has to give if Soto’s going to keep being “WHIP-zilla.”
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Finishing off a six-run margin in Milwaukee, Vince Velasquez retired the side at the bottom of the ninth. Trent Thornton issued a walk during a scoreless eighth. Jacob Webb fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
- Miami Marlins: Entering at the bottom of the fourth, John King stranded a runner and retired all four batters, one via strikeout, while collecting his sixth win. He has recorded a win in his last three appearances.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Suffering his fourth loss, Chad Patrick allowed two hits, four earned runs, and two walks during two-thirds of the sixth.
- Philadelphia Phillies: As the “bulk follower,” Alan Rangel suffered his first loss, allowing four hits, four earned runs, and two walks while striking out four across four innings.
- San Diego Padres: Things did not go well as a “bulk follower” for Randy Vásquez. He allowed eight hits, seven runs (five earned), and a walk while striking out two across 3.1 innings facing the Dodgers, resulting in his sixth loss.
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Statistical Credits: