Sunday’s slate provided five wins and eight saves by relievers. They also suffered six losses. Here are the condensed save results:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Carlos Estévez | 13 | 12 | 66.7 | 0 | 0:0 |
| Emilio Pagán | 12 | 29 | 72.4 | 10.3 | 2:0 |
| Josh Hader | 11 | 17 | 64.7 | 11.7 | 2:0 |
| Ryan Walker | 8 | 7 | 85.7 | 28.6 | 1:0 |
| Trevor Megill | 6 | 14 | 78.6 | 35.7 | 2:0 |
| Jordan Romano | 5 | 11 | 81.8 | 18.2 | 3:0 |
| Will Vest | 5 | 25 | 66.7 | 12.5 | 1:0 |
| Shelby Miller | 4 | 17 | 76.5 | 29.4 | 1:1 |
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for May 19
- Camilo Doval (SF): He was off on Sunday, and Walker has worked in back-to-back games.
- Graham Ashcraft (CIN): Pagán and Santillan have appeared in three consecutive contests. This could be a multi-inning save chance.
- Beau Brieske (DET): Vest has worked in back-to-back games, and Kahnle has thrown 33 pitches over the three previous days.
Vulture Save Stashes for May 20
- Andrew Kittredge (BAL): If Félix Bautista pitches on Monday and the veteran is activated, he may be in line for a save chance.
- Matt Strahm (PHI): If Romano pitches on Monday, it will be consecutive outings and three in the previous four days.
- Shawn Armstrong (TEX): If Jackson pitches on Monday, he will have appeared in consecutive games.
Three Takeaways
(1) Romano states his case: Preserving a 1-0 win over the Pirates, Jordan Romano locked down his fifth save by striking out the side against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
He extended his scoreless streak to eight games, during which he has posted a 0.50 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against one walk (37 K-BB%) in eight innings. Matt Strahm notched his fifth hold, striking out two in a clean top of the eighth. Orion Kerkering worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless seventh, securing his sixth hold. With José Alvarado suspended for 80 games, Romano may earn a larger save share like Craig Kimbrel did during the 2023 season. There will be times when the usage patterns frustrate fantasy managers, but for now:
Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Matt Strahm | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer concept with a preferred save share (Romano)
(2) Unsettled in Miami: Finishing a four-run win, Anthony Bender retired the side at the top of the ninth, facing the Rays’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket. Calvin Faucher fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts versus the 9-1-2 hitters. Jesús Tinoco worked a clean seventh against the 6-7-8 batters and recorded one strikeout, throwing 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (25 SwStr%). Ronny Henriquez notched his sixth hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless sixth. Just when it felt like the order of entry was settling, this usage pattern proved confusing. Here are how the leverage ladder has been deployed since May 10:
Tinoco has secured two saves in this timeframe, but was used in the seventh on Sunday. Until a save chance differs:
Hierarchy Remains: Jesús Tinoco | Calvin Faucher | Anthony Bender
(3) Is Vest breaking away? Navigating around Bo Bichette reaching on an error, Will Vest secured his fifth save with a scoreless ninth and one strikeout, preserving a one-run win over Toronto. He threw 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
He has a 1.014 WHIP with 25 strikeouts versus seven walks (21 K-BB%) through 21.2 innings. Since April 21, he has recorded five of the team’s seven saves, with Tommy Kahnle and Beau Brieske notching one each. A seventy-one percent save share makes one the preferred option. For now:
Updated Hierarchy: Will Vest | Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
Here are the remaining leverage results of interest from Sunday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Arizona Diamondbacks – A white-knuckle ride at the top of the ninth ended with Shelby Miller securing his fourth save, preserving a combined shutout of Colorado. He allowed a one-out single by Kyle Farmer, Hunter Goodman’s double, and intentionally walked Ryan McMahon loading the bases. Miller bore down, inducing Brenton Doyle’s pop-out and a game-ending lineout by Michael Toglia to shortstop. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%) while giving up two hits and a walk with one strikeout.
He’s converted four of five save chances this month.
- Kevin Ginkel fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts facing the 7-8-9 hitters.
Updated Hierarchy: Shelby Miller | Kevin Ginkel | Jalen Beeks
Chicago Cubs – Entering at the top of the sixth with a runner on and one out, Drew Pomeranz stranded him despite giving up a hit and recorded a strikeout over two-thirds scoreless. He collected his first win courtesy of a three-run rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Ryan Pressly notched his first hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless seventh while facing the White Sox’s 6-7-8 lineup pocket.
- Brad Keller worked a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout.
- Julian Merryweather gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: Porter Hodge | Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller
Cincinnati Reds – Working in a third straight contest, Emilio Pagán held on for his 12th save, navigating around two hits and recording two strikeouts, finishing a sweep of Cleveland. He threw 29 pitches (21 strikes – 72.4 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (10.3 SwStr%).
He has a 0.83 WHIP with 26 strikeouts against six walks (22.7 K-BB%) across 23 innings.
- Tony Santillan notched his 12th hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Taylor Rogers stranded a runner and retired his only batter via strikeout for his sixth hold.
- Luis Mey was credited with his second hold, allowing a hit, an earned run, and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Scott Barlow allowed a hit and worked a scoreless sixth for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Houston Astros – Shutting the door on his 11th save, Josh Hader retired the side and recorded two strikeouts while preserving a one-run come-from-behind win over Texas. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.7 SwStr%).
He has a 0.85 WHIP with 29 strikeouts versus five walks (30.8 K-BB%) across 20 innings.
- Bryan Abreu navigated around a hit and a walk during a scoreless eighth, notching his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Kansas City Royals – Handed a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Carlos Estévez worked around Brendan Donovan’s one-out double by retiring the last two batters for his 13th save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff.
He’s converted eight straight save chances since April 24 with eight strikeouts against one walk and a 1.134 WHIP across 9.2 innings.
- Lucas Erceg collected his first win of the season and as a Royal since his acquisition last year. He logged 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one. He also stranded a runner at the top of the seventh.
- Daniel Lynch IV allowed a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Daniel Lynch IV
Milwaukee Brewers – Locking down his sixth save, Trevor Megill fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts while facing the Twins’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (35.7 SwStr%).
He owns a seven-game scoreless streak since April 30, converting four saves with a 1.00 WHIP and eight strikeouts versus three walks.
- Nick Mears tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and securing his seventh hold.
- Jared Koenig allowed two hits and an earned run in the seventh, getting credit for his sixth hold.
- Abner Uribe fired a clean sixth and recorded two strikeouts for his 12th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Trevor Megill | Nick Mears | Abner Uribe
New York Yankees – Capping a six-run explosion at the bottom of the eighth, Tim Hill finished a series win over the Mets with a clean top of the ninth.
Devin Williams collected his second win, firing a clean eighth and striking out one against the 2-3-4 lineup pocket, throwing 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) without a whiff.
Since April 28, he’s been scoreless in eight of his nine appearances with two wins, three holds, a 0.75 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts versus four walks (30 K-BB%) across eight innings.
- Jonathan Loáisiga tossed a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Weaver | Devin Williams | Fernando Cruz
San Francisco Giants – Completing his team’s come-from-behind win, Ryan Walker nailed down his eighth save, firing a clean top of the ninth and striking out one against the A’s 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He threw seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). This marked his first save since May 7, and he has been scoreless in his last three outings.
- Randy Rodríguez collected his third win, retiring the side at the top of the eighth, ahead of his team’s two-run rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Erik Miller worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out two.
- Spencer Bivens logged two scoreless frames and recorded a strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
Texas Rangers – Another one-pitch outing for Chris Martin. He entered with two runners on and no outs, then departed with the training staff. Robert Garcia replaced him and allowed Isaac Paredes’ go-ahead three-run home run, his first home run against of the season, resulting in his second loss and first blown save. He finished with a hit, an earned run, and a walk during the eighth inning.
- Luke Jackson made his first appearance since May 12, tossing a scoreless top of the ninth, walking and striking out one on 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains (for now): Luke Jackson | Chris Martin | Robert Garcia
*If Martin gets placed on the injured list, Shawn Armstrong enters the hierarchy
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Angels: In a strange circumstance, Shaun Anderson was tagged with his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score on Will Smith’s game-tying three-run home run during the bottom of the seventh. Then he settled in, logging 2.2 innings, allowing only the home run and an earned run while striking out three, resulting in his first win. He threw 38 pitches (63.2 Strike%) and induced five whiffs (13.2 SwStr%).
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Making his team debut, Lou Trivino logged two scoreless innings, issuing a walk and striking out two. Anthony Banda suffered his first loss, giving up two hits, including Travis d’Arnaud’s go-ahead solo home run, and recorded two strikeouts over two innings.
- New York Mets: Sloppy defense and traffic on the bases resulted in Ryne Stanek suffering his fourth loss. He took over a tied game at the bottom of the eighth and issued Jasson Domínguez a lead-off walk, followed by Austin Wells’ double, and a fielder’s choice throwing error scored the go-ahead run. Things spiraled for the reliever. Paul Goldschmidt singled in a run, forcing Stanek’s removal. Génesis Cabrera inherited two runners, issued a walk, recorded a strikeout against Aaron Judge, and allowed Cody Bellinger’s grand slam. Stanek finished with two hits, four runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the eighth.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Chris Roycroft allowed Drew Waters’ triple, followed by Maikel Garcia’s go-ahead RBI single, resulting in his third loss.
- The Athletics: Taking over at the bottom of the eighth with a one-run lead, Tyler Ferguson allowed LaMonte Wade Jr.’s lead-off triple, followed by Patrick Bailey’s game-tying RBI single, a sacrifice bunt, and Heliot Ramos’ go-ahead RBI single, resulting in his second loss and third blown save. Ferguson finished with three hits, two earned runs, and two walks over two-thirds of the eighth.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Mason Fluharty suffered his first loss, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh.
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