Tuesday’s full slate resulted in six reliever wins and seven saves. Relief pitchers also were tagged with seven losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Carlos Estévez | 17 | 18 | 55.6 | 11.1 | 2:1 |
| Josh Hader | 16 | 15 | 80 | 40 | 2:0 |
| Emilio Pagán | 16 | 18 | 66.7 | 22.2 | 1:0 |
| Devin Williams | 6 | 30 | 73.3 | 16.7 | 1:0 |
| Seth Halvorsen | 3 | 15 | 60 | 13.3 | 0:0 |
| Jeremiah Estrada | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0:0 |
| Reid Detmers | 1 | 11 | 81.8 | 27.3 | 2:0 |
Our vulture save streamers hit on two recommendations in yesterday’s slate, so lets keep the momentum going:
Vulture Save Options for June 4
- Ryan Walker (SF): Doval threw 28 pitches last night and has logged 49 over the previous three days.
- Victor Vodnik (COL): With Zach Agnos on the bereavement list and Halvorsen having appeared in consecutive contests, it’s Vodnik in line for the save chance if the Rockies can execute a sweep.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA): Jansen and Detmers have worked in back-to-back games.
- Lou Trivino (LAD): Scott has pitched in two straight, and Vesia will match up against Soto, playing a hunch here.
Vulture Save Stashes for June 5
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL): If Bautista pitches today, it’s back-to-back outings.
- Bryan King (HOU): If Hader and Abreu appear today, it’s consecutive contests.
With Father’s Day fast approaching, one of my Dad’s favorite movies was “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” which will be today’s theme in our three takeaways.
Three Takeaways
(1) “The Good”: Redemption happened fast for Tanner Scott. Not only did he strand the “place” runner while facing the Mets’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket at the top of the tenth, including strikeouts against Juan Soto and Pete Alonso, but he also collected his first win on the walk-off at the bottom of the inning. Scott threw 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (50 SwStr%) in a dominant performance, reminding fantasy managers what he’s capable of. His fastball location was on point in this outing:
(2) “The Bad”: Although the final outcome worked, this appearance was not the ninth inning coronation many hoped for. It was another white knuckle ride in the ninth inning with Devin Williams, but he closed out a one-run margin for his sixth save, the first since May 27. He did allow Carlos Santana’s one-out double and Daniel Schneeman’s two-out pinch-hit RBI single before inducing a game-ending flyout. He threw 30 pitches (22 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). First, his pitch illustrator:
And his results:
He had been scoreless in 11 of his 12 previous appearances, but he’s struggled with traffic while appearing in the ninth inning. After this game, he has a 2.371 WHIP and a 12.10 ERA in the ninth inning across 11 games, spanning 9.2 innings.
(3) “The Ugly”: All good things must come to an end, and regression came calling for Camilo Doval. He could not preserve the combined shutout and suffered his third blown save at the top of the ninth. It started with Brandon Lockridge’s one-out single, and a two-out walk to Fernando Tatis Jr. put two runners on. A wild pitch moved Lockridge to third, Tatis Jr. stole second, putting two in scoring position and another walk (Luis Arraez), loaded the bases for Manny Machado’s game-tying two-RBI single, snapping Doval’s 21-game scoreless streak. He threw 28 pitches (13 strikes – 46.4 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (17.9 SwStr%) while giving up two hits, two earned runs, and two walks with two strikeouts. His pitch illustrator tells the story:
Since being named the closer, he has converted two of three saves with a 1.89 WHIP and five walks against four strikeouts (-6.3 K-BB%). In this limited sample, he has thrown 33 of his 67 pitches for strikes (49.3 Strike%) and only induced six whiffs (9 SwStr%). This may be a blip, especially following two four-out saves, but Randy Rodríguez remains the best reliever in this leverage ladder despite not being deployed in save situations, he’s worth a stash for those in deeper formats.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Cincinnati Reds – Closing out a two-run lead, Emilio Pagán worked around Elly De La Cruz’s throwing error with two outs with a game-ending flyout, featuring a terrific catch at the wall by TJ Friedl. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%) while striking out one in a scoreless ninth.
He’s converted his last seven save opportunities despite allowing at least a run in four of his last ten games.
- Tony Santillan retired his only two batters at the top of the eighth for his 13th hold.
- Graham Ashcraft collected his fourth win, logging 1.1 clean frames and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Colorado Rockies – Securing his third save and preserving a one-run win, Seth Halvorsen retired the side in Miami, facing the 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
This marked his first save since May 17, and he has been scoreless in five of his last six appearances.
- Victor Vodnik collected his first win, retiring all four batters ahead of his team’s go-ahead rally at the bottom of the eighth.
- Jimmy Herget scattered four hits across 1.2 scoreless frames and recorded two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Zach Agnos | Seth Halvorsen | Jake Bird
Houston Astros – Shutting the door on his 16th save and preserving a combined shutout, Josh Hader retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Pirates’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket. He threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (40 SwStr%).
He owns a seven-game scoreless streak, during which he has a 0.286 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against one walk (45.8 K-BB%) across seven innings.
- Bryan Abreu notched his 16th hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Shawn Dubin worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit while recording his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Kansas City Royals – Capping his team’s comeback, Carlos Estévez secured his 17th save, working around a one-out single and a two-out walk with a game-ending strikeout of Nolan Gorman. Estévez threw 18 pitches (55.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%) while striking out two. He extended his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he has a win, six saves, and a 0.86 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus two walks (22.9 K-BB%) through 9.1 innings.
- Taylor Clarke retired the side at the bottom of the eighth for his first hold.
- John Schreiber worked 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing two hits and striking out one.
- Angel Zerpa gave up a hit and a walk during two-thirds scoreless, getting credit for his third hold.
- Steven Cruz collected his second win, logging 1.2 clean frames and striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | John Schreiber | Taylor Clarke
Los Angeles Angels – Taking over with a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Reid Detmers recorded his first career save, stranding the “place” runner while retiring the Red Sox 6-7-8 lineup pocket in order, two via strikeout. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to seven games, during which he has posted four holds and this save, with a 1.142 WHIP and 10 strikeouts against three walks (25.9 K-BB%) through seven innings.
Kenley Jansen collected his first win, navigating around two walks (one intentional – Rafael Devers) and striking out one, keeping the game tied at the bottom of the ninth. He has been scoreless in seven of his last eight, converting all five save chances.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Ryan Zeferjahn | Reid Detmers
New York Mets – One day removed from his first save, José Buttó suffered his first loss at the bottom of the tenth. He issued Shohei Ohtani an intentional walk, retired Mookie Betts on a lineout, and gave up Freddie Freeman’s walk-off RBI double, scoring the “place” runner.
- Huascar Brazobán was tagged with his third blown save, allowing Max Muncy’s game-tying solo home run in the ninth while recording three strikeouts.
- Reed Garrett secured his 14th hold, working around a hit and a walk while striking out one, entering against the top of the Dodgers’ lineup.
- Brandon Waddell worked a scoreless seventh despite issuing a walk for his first hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Huascar Brazobán
San Diego Padres – Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Jeremiah Estrada nailed down his second save while stranding the “place” runner, retiring the Giants’ 9-1-2 hitters on a sacrifice bunt and two groundouts. He threw six pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff, extending his scoreless streak to five games, during which he has recorded a win, two saves, and a hold with seven strikeouts across 4.2 innings.
- Yuki Matsui collected his first win, retiring the side at the bottom of the ninth ahead of his team’s rally at the top of the tenth.
- Sean Reynolds logged three scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: After his team tacked on three runs at the top of the ninth, Ryan Thompson retired the side, completing a five-run win in Atlanta. Shelby Miller navigated around two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth for his eighth hold.
- Baltimore Orioles: Wrapping up a win in a non-save appearance, Félix Bautista was warming during a two-run lead, then fired a clean bottom of the ninth, preserving a four-run win in Seattle after his teammates tacked on two runs at the top of the frame. He threw an efficient 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced one whiff while recording one strikeout. He has a 1.32 WHIP with 25 strikeouts against 14 walks (13.1 K-BB%) through 19.2 innings.
- Boston Red Sox: Entering at the top of the tenth, Zack Kelly suffered his second loss, with the lead-off hitter reaching on an error during a sacrifice bunt, followed by walking Mike Trout, before inducing a double play groundout, scoring the “place” runner. Aroldis Chapman fired a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout on eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Chicago Cubs: Finishing a five-run win, Ryan Pressly allowed a hit during a scoreless bottom of the ninth while facing the Nationals.
- Chicago White Sox: In order of appearance, Cam Booser issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts during two-thirds scoreless in the sixth, securing his fifth hold. Jordan Leasure allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk during the seventh. Brandon Eisert gave up two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth. Dan Altavilla fired a clean ninth, striking out one on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) without a whiff, closing out a seven-run win over Detroit.
- Detroit Tigers: Called upon at the bottom of the second, Brant Hurter suffered his first loss, giving up an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out four against the White Sox.
- Miami Marlins: A leverage ladder in constant flux based on usage patterns, Calvin Faucher gave up a hit and worked a scoreless top of the seventh, keeping the game tied. Anthony Bender suffered his fourth loss, allowing Hunter Goodman’s go-ahead solo home run at the top of the eighth and recording a strikeout in the eighth.
- Minnesota Twins: Finishing a seven-run win, Jorge Alcala fired two clean frames and recorded four strikeouts. Justin Topa gave up a hit while striking out one in a scoreless seventh. Cole Sands allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the sixth, getting credit for his sixth hold.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Summoned with two runners on and one out at the top of the fifth, Steven Matz let both score, giving up three hits and two earned runs while striking two over his 1.1 innings, resulting in his second loss.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Because his teammates scored a run at the bottom of the eighth, Pete Fairbanks preserved a four-run win in a non-save capacity. He retired the Rangers’ 3-4-5 hitters on nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) with one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). He owns a modest six-game scoreless streak since May 17 with a 0.833 WHIP and six strikeouts over six innings.
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