Friday night’s slate featured some rough outings by high-leverage relievers. During its 15 games, relievers recorded six wins and nine saves while suffering seven losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Andrés Muñoz | 17 | 7 | 100 | 14.3 | 0:0 |
| Robert Suarez | 16 | 19 | 68.4 | 10.5 | 0:0 |
| Kenley Jansen | 11 | 23 | 47.8 | 13 | 1:2 |
| Emmanuel Clase | 10 | 12 | 66.7 | 33.3 | 1:0 |
| Ryan Helsley | 10 | 22 | 68.2 | 13.6 | 1:0 |
| Pete Fairbanks | 9 | 15 | 66.7 | 13.3 | 2:1 |
| Zach Agnos | 3 | 13 | 46.2 | 15.4 | 0:1 |
| Tanner Banks | 1 | 4 | 75 | 25 | 1:0 |
| Steven Wilson | 1 | 17 | 64.7 | 0 | 0:1 |
For the save streamers, there are some slippery options because teams prefer match-ups and another attempt at a doubleheader in Boston:
Vulture Save Options for May 24
- Pierce Johnson (ATL): Iglesias and Hernández have pitched in back-to-back games.
- Alex Vesia (LAD): Scott has appeared in three of the previous four and tossed 67 pitches, he’s likely done for the remainder of the Mets’ series.
- Carlos Hernández (PHI): Although Joe Ross likely works multiple innings in relief, Hernández may get the ninth with Romano, Strahm, and Kerkering all appearing in consecutive games.
Doubleheader Options
- Baltimore Orioles: Preferred vulture: Andrew Kittredge; YOLO – Bryan Baker
- Boston Red Sox: Preferred vulture: Justin Slaten; YOLO – Greg Weissert
Vulture Save Stashes for May 25
- Cade Smith (CLE): If Clase pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances and three in four days.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA): If Jansen pitches today, it’s back-to-back games.
Three relievers amid some struggles are featured in today’s takeaways.
Three Takeaways
(1) Miller’s fastball has been flat: Summoned against the Phillies’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket with his team down 1-0, Mason Miller struggled with contact, allowing four hits and three earned runs while striking out one during two-thirds of the ninth. Two of the three runs scored with two outs. He’s permitted at least a run in four of his last five appearances since May 3, resulting in seven hits, ten runs (nine earned), and seven walks with nine strikeouts. He has suffered two losses and only converted one of two save chances in his last five games, during which he’s allowed seven hits and seven walks (2.979 WHIP) over 4.2 innings. Of his last 128 pitches, 77 have been strikes (60.2 Strike%) and he’s produced 21 whiffs (16.4 SwStr%) while working with fluctuating velocities:
For the season, he has a .412 batting average on balls in play (BAbip) and a .410 weighted on-base average (wOBA) with his four-seam fastball. Although generating a 28.4% swinging strike rate, his slider has allowed a .400 BABIP with a .189 wOBA. Recalling count leverage being tethered with Devin Williams‘ early season struggles, when Miller’s behind in counts, here is his heat map with his four-seam this year:
When hitters are ahead in the count, Miller’s four-seam has given up a 55.6 hard-hit percentage across nine batted ball events with a .513 xwOBA. He can rebound, but fantasy managers will closely monitor his upcoming outings.
(2) Raisel remains on the hot seat, but: It’s dejá vù all over again with Atlanta’s closer. Taking over a tied contest at the top of the ninth, Raisel Iglesias allowed Manny Machado’s lead-off solo home run, resulting in his fourth loss.
Iglesias has given up seven home runs this season (five against his slider), matching his total from all of 2023 and three more than last season. He also recorded a strikeout while throwing 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) with two whiffs. He’s allowed at least a run in five of seven games since May 8, including two home runs. Through 20.1 innings, he has a 1.33 WHIP with 21 strikeouts versus four walks (19.5 K-BB%). His 28 home run per fly ball percentage will not be sustainable, but the chasm in his SIERA (3.05) and xERA (5.38) reflects his struggle with contact quality this year. However, with the lack of a replacement in his current leverage ladder, he remains insulated as the closer, unless the team shifts the rotation or the trade market.
(3) Another sullied save for Helsley: The good news is Ryan Helsley recorded his tenth save in an eventual one-run win. However, he allowed Randal Grichuk’s lead-off single and Gabriel Moreno’s two-run home run before inducing a game-ending pop-out against Corbin Carroll.
Helsley threw 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%) while recording a strikeout. This snapped his modest five-game scoreless streak and is only the second home run he’s allowed all season. He owns a 1.47 WHIP with 17 strikeouts against ten walks (9.4 K-BB%) across 17 innings. He has converted his last six save opportunities with a 1.33 WHIP and seven strikeouts against two walks (19.2 K-BB%) but he’s only recorded a clean save in two of ten chances this season.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Chicago Cubs – Pressed into action at the bottom of the fifth, Chris Flexen stranded two runners and logged 1.1 clean frames. He was awarded his second win after his team plated seven runs at the top of the seventh.
- Brad Keller notched his sixth hold, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless bottom of the seventh.
- Drew Pomeranz worked a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one.
- Ryan Pressly finished a seven-run win with a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Daniel Palencia | *Brad Keller | *Drew Pomeranz
*= closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox – Reliever roulette landed on Steven Wilson, and he converted his first save, tossing a scoreless ninth despite issuing a one-out walk. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) without a whiff.
His team recorded five saves by five relievers through its first 51 contests.
- Jordan Leasure retired the side and recorded his eighth hold, facing Texas’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket.
- Cam Booser worked a clean seventh, striking out one for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Cam Booser | *Jordan Leasure | *Steven Wilson
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Shutting the door on his tenth save, Emmanuel Clase preserved a two-run win over Detroit with a clean bottom of the ninth. Facing the 6-7-8 hitters, he recorded one strikeout, throwing 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generating four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
He’s been scoreless in his last six and has a 1.57 WHIP with 22 strikeouts against five walks (18.1 K-BB%) through 20.1 innings.
- Hunter Gaddis logged two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out two for his 13th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
Colorado Rockies – Preserving a one-run win over the Yankees, Zach Agnos navigated around a one-out walk to Jasson Domínguez by retiring Anthony Volpe via groundout and a game-ending Austin Wells lineout to shortstop for his third save. He threw 13 pitches (46.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.93 WHIP with seven strikeouts through 14 innings.
- Seth Halvorsen notched his second hold, walking and striking out one during a scoreless top of the eighth against the top of the batting order.
- Jake Bird worked a clean seventh, striking out one for his fifth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Zach Agnos | *Seth Halvorsen | Jake Bird
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Appearing during a loss, Josh Hader retired the side on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%) while facing Seattle’s 1-2-3 lineup pocket.
- Bryan Abreu suffered his second loss and third blown save, giving up three hits, including Cal Raleigh’s go-ahead two-run home run, and let his only inherited runner score at the top of the seventh.
- Bryan King gets credit for his 11th hold despite allowing a hit and an earned run during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Shawn Dubin stranded a runner, yielding a hit and a walk during two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Los Angeles Angels – Handed a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Kenley Jansen issued Kyle Stowers a lead-off walk, and with one out, he stole second, followed by a strikeout and a second walk, putting two runners on, before a game-ending pop-out, resulting in his 11th save. He threw 23 pitches (11 strikes – 47.8 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).
He also intentionally balked a runner to third when Stowers reached second base, but Jansen has converted four saves in his last four appearances since May 17.
- Héctor Neris let both inherited runners score after throwing a wild pitch and allowing Eric Wagaman’s two-RBI single before recording two strikeouts for his fourth hold at the top of the eighth.
- Shaun Anderson allowed six hits and four earned runs while striking out one during 1.1 innings.
- Hunter Strickland notched his second hold, stranding the bases-loaded with an inning-ending groundout, his only batter faced.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Héctor Neris | Ryan Zeferjahn
Los Angeles Dodgers – Outlasting the Mets and logging 2.1 scoreless innings, Luis García earned his second win, issuing two walks and stranding three inherited runners at the bottom of the 11th. Anthony Banda issued two walks and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds scoreless in the 11th. Lou Trivino stranded a runner and retired both batters in the tenth. Alex Vesia stranded a runner at the bottom of the ninth, tossing a combined scoreless inning, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Tanner Scott suffered his fourth blown save, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the ninth.
This was his third appearance in the last four days after working 1.2 innings on Tuesday. He’s allowed seven hits, two home runs, and five earned runs in this stretch.
- Ben Casparius recorded his fifth hold, tossing three scoreless frames, issuing a walk, and striking out six.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Ben Casparius | Alex Vesia
Milwaukee Brewers – Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Abner Uribe suffered his first blown save, giving up Oneil Cruz’s one-out game-tying solo home run and a single while striking out one. He returned for the tenth with a one-run lead, allowing Alexander Canario’s game-tying RBI single, induced a groundout, issued an intentional walk (Adam Frazier), then uncorked a walk-off wild pitch, scoring the game-winning run. Uribe was tagged with his first loss, allowing four hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out one during 1.2 innings.
- Nick Mears gave up a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Jared Koenig incurred his first blown save, giving up two hits and an earned run at the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Nick Mears
New York Mets – During the top of the 13th against the Dodgers’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket, Huascar Brazobán suffered his first loss. He allowed Teoscar Hernández’s go-ahead RBI double, among his three hits, resulting in two runs (one earned).
- Reed Garrett tossed two scoreless frames across the 11th and 12th innings, issuing a walk and striking out two.
- Edwin Díaz worked a scoreless tenth, yielding a walk. He threw 12 pitches (5 strikes – 41.7 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Génesis Cabrera logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out two.
- Ryne Stanek retired both batters at the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Ryne Stanek | Reed Garrett
Philadelphia Phillies – Making a non-save appearance, Jordan Romano could not complete the combined shutout or the ninth inning. He allowed Brent Rooker’s lead-off single and issued Shea Langeliers a walk before retiring Miguel Andujar via strikeout. However, Nick Kurtz launched a three-run home run, cutting the lead to one. Romano bore down, recording another strikeout, then was removed after allowing CJ Alexander’s single. He finished with three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two on 28 pitches (13 strikes – 46.4 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
- Tanner Banks notched his first save, striking out Lawrence Butler.
- Matt Strahm secured his seventh hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Orion Kerkering stranded two runners and retired his only batter via strikeout for his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Matt Strahm | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer concept with a preferred save share (Romano)
Pittsburgh Pirates – Courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the tenth, Ryan Borucki collected his first win. He allowed a hit and an unearned run while striking out one at the top of the inning.Isaac Mattson stranded two inherited runners and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth. David Bednar allowed William Contreras’ go-ahead solo home run and issued two walks while striking out one in one-third of the ninth. He threw 24 pitches (45.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s allowed at least a run in three of his last five appearances.
- Caleb Ferguson stranded two runners, retiring two batters while issuing a walk and striking out one in the eighth.
- Dennis Santana let one of two inherited runners score in the seventh and scattered three hits while striking out three in a scoreless combined inning.
Hierarchy Remains: *David Bednar | *Dennis Santana | Caleb Ferguson
*= match-up-based approach
San Diego Padres – Benefiting from a baserunning snafu, Robert Suarez preserved a one-run margin and recorded his National League-leading 16th save with a scoreless ninth, navigating around two hits. After allowing Alex Verdugo’s lead-off single, Eli White replaced him as the pinch runner and moved to second on a groundout, then was thrown out on an Ozzie Albies single, thinking the ball had been caught. Suarez induced an inning-ending groundout and threw 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) with two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%).
- Jason Adam collected his fifth win, retiring one batter at the bottom of the eighth.
- Adrian Morejon worked 1.2 clean frames and recorded three strikeouts, keeping the game tied.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Seattle Mariners – Locking down his MLB-leading 17th save, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean bottom of the ninth and preserved a two-run win in Houston. He retired the 2-3-4 lineup pocket on seven pitches, all strikes, with one whiff (14.3 SwStr%).
He owns a 0.71 WHIP with 28 strikeouts versus eight walks (23.5 K-BB%) through 22.2 innings.
- Carlos Vargas navigated around two hits for a scoreless eighth and his seventh hold.
- Matt Brash gave up a walk during a scoreless seventh, securing his third hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Carlos Vargas | Matt Brash
Tampa Bay Rays – Securing his ninth save, Pete Fairbanks navigated around a two-out walk and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth against Toronto’s 6-7-8-9 hitters. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
This marks his first save since May 8. He’s posted a 1.19 WHIP with 22 strikeouts versus ten walks (13.5 K-BB%) over 21 innings.
- Edwin Uceta notched his eighth hold with a scoreless eighth, working around two walks.
- Manuel Rodríguez retired all three batters faced at the top of the seventh for his sixth hold, stranding two of three inherited runners.
- Mason Montgomery issued three walks, resulting in an earned run without recording an out in the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Garrett Cleavinger
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: As the first reliever out of the bullpen, Seranthony Domínguez suffered his first loss and a first blown save at the bottom of the sixth. He gave up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while retiring one batter. Gregory Soto let both inherited runners score, allowing two hits, including Rafael Devers’ home run, resulting in two earned runs on his ledger through two-thirds of the sixth.
- Boston Red Sox: Called upon with his team down one at the top of the fifth, Brennan Bernardino retired the side. Garrett Whitlock logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three. He collected his third win after his teammates rallied for five runs at the bottom of the sixth. Whitlock threw 30 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
- Kansas City Royals: After not allowing a home run across 69.2 innings, Lucas Erceg has given one up in consecutive appearances. He took over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout against Matt Wallner before yielding Carlos Correa’s single, followed by Ty France’s walk-off home run, resulting in his first loss.
- Minnesota Twins: Entering a tied game at the top of the ninth, Cole Sands retired the side against the Royals’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket, then collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off home run by Ty France. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
- San Francisco Giants: Completing the combined shutout, Camilo Doval retired the side on 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff while facing the Nationals’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket in a non-save capacity. He extended his scoreless streak to 19 games, during which he has posted a 0.50 WHIP with 18 strikeouts versus five walks (21.7 K-BB%) across 18 innings.
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