Monday’s nine-game slate featured five extra-inning games, a new injury for a Diamondbacks’ reliever, and a third consecutive blown save by last year’s saves leader. In all, relievers recorded six wins, two following a blown save, and converted three saves. They also suffered six losses across the nine contests. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Jeff Hoffman | 16 | 9 | 88.9 | 22.2 | 1:0 |
| Emilio Pagán | 16 | 14 | 57.1 | 14.3 | 2:1 |
| Tanner Scott | 12 | 16 | 75 | 6.3 | 1:0 |
For the save streamers, pick your poison in two match-ups:
Vulture Save Options for June 10
- Michael Kopech (LAD): Scott and Yates have appeared in back-to-back games.
- Jason Adam (SD): Suarez has pitched in three of the previous four.
- Edwin Uceta (TB): Fairbanks threw 30 pitches last night and appeared in three of the previous four games.
- Greg Weissert (BOS): Chapman has worked in three straight contests.
- Matt Brash (SEA): Muñoz has pitched in consecutive games.
- Chad Green (TOR): Hoffman has appeared in three of the last four and four of the previous six.
Vulture Save Stashes for June 11
- Tony Santillan (CIN): He will be off tonight, and if Pagán pitches, it will be consecutive appearances.
- Reid Detmers (LAA): If Jansen appears tonight, it’s back-to-back games.
- Orion Kerkering (PHI): He will be unavailable tonight, and if Romano pitches, he will be rested on Wednesday.
- Ryan Pressly (CHC): If he’s not used today and Palencia pitches, he could be in line for the save tomorrow.
Three Takeaways
(1) J-Mart’s elbow: Justin Martinez entered the ninth with a four-run lead and recorded two strikeouts before issuing a walk and leaving the team’s trainer. As one can see, his velocity declined before his exit:
Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports updated Martinez’s status in this post:
Once more details emerge about Martinez’s MRI, the hierarchy will adjust. This could mean a larger role for Juan Morillo until A.J. Puk returns. If Shelby Miller was dropped in your league, add him now for saves in the interim. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: *Justin Martinez | *Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks
*= closer-by-committee
(2) Another blown save for Helsley: Ryan Helsley was tagged with his fifth blown save, and third in as many appearances in June, giving up two hits, including Jhonathan Clase’s game-tying solo home run in the ninth. He threw 24 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. First, his pitch illustrator:
And his results:
Understanding it’s facing the ninth hitter, but that’s a cookie right down the middle with a four-seam fastball. This pitch has been a problem this season, especially when viewing his results with it based on count leverage:
| Splits with 4-seam | Pitches | Usage% | AVG | xBA | SLG | xSLG | wOBA | xwOBA |
| Batter Ahead | 75 | 38.1 | .563 | .408 | .875 | .691 | .646 | .542 |
| Batter Behind | 39 | 19.8 | .143 | .238 | .143 | .322 | .127 | .241 |
It’s been a rough patch for Helsley; he has allowed multiple hits in four of his last five contests. Contact remains an issue for him and may affect his status ahead of the trade deadline unless these trends improve.
(3) Fairbanks and recent usage patterns: In his two previous seasons, Pete Fairbanks has logged 45.1 innings in each. He has not missed any time this year, but he threw 30 pitches in his first attempt at a four-out save last night. He took over at the bottom of the eighth and stranded his only inherited runner by striking out Jarren Duran. Returning for the ninth, he issued Devers a lead-off walk ahead of Abraham Toro’s double, then allowed a run on a fielder’s choice groundout and a game-tying RBI single by Kristian Campbell, tagging him with his second blown save. He finished with three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one. Of more significant concern, are his recent workload and his teammates:
As a result, Kevin Cash placed their recently promoted reliever right into the fire. Ian Seymour made his MLB debut at the bottom of the tenth with a one-run lead. However, he suffered his first blown save after issuing Rafael Devers an intentional walk with two outs on an error by Jonathan Aranda, scoring the “place” runner. Seymour returned for the 11th and worked around a walk by retiring the next three batters for his first career win. Fantasy managers should monitor Fairbanks’ results closely as June progresses.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Boston Red Sox – Pressed into action at the top of the 11th, Zack Kelly suffered his third loss, giving up a hit, two runs (one earned), and three walks while striking out one.
Aroldis Chapman appeared for a third straight contest, letting the “place” runner score on a single and a sacrifice fly at the top of the tenth while recording two strikeouts. He threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (40 SwStr%). The unearned run snapped his six-game scoreless streak, during which he converted all three save chances.
- Luis Guerero gave up a hit, an earned run, and two walks over 2.1 innings.
- Brennan Bernardino allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk with one strikeout in one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Greg Weissert | Justin Wilson
Chicago Cubs –Entering a tied contest at the bottom of the tenth, Daniel Palencia intentionally walked Kyle Schwarber, then induced Alec Bohm’s double-play groundout and an inning-ending groundout by Nick Castellanos. He returned for the 11th with a one-run lead but allowed J.T. Realmuto’s game-tying RBI single, scoring the “place” runner, followed by consecutive bunt singles and a walk-off Brandon Marsh RBI single, resulting in his second loss. He threw 14 pitches (85.7 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Drew Pomeranz stranded a runner and retired both batters in the ninth.
- Brad Keller scattered three hits over 1.1 scoreless frames.
- Ryan Pressly tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller | Drew Pomeranz
Cincinnati Reds – Assuaging fantasy manager’s fears, Emilio Pagán converted his 16th save, working around Bo Naylor’s lead-off walk with two strikeouts sandwiched around a flyout, preserving the three-run margin after not appearing in Sunday’s game. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
He’s amid a four-game scoreless streak with three saves and six strikeouts against one walk (38.5 K-BB%) over 3.2 innings.
- Tony Santillan appeared for a third consecutive day and recorded his 14th hold by retiring the side in the eighth.
- Graham Ashcraft allowed Naylor’s solo home run and two walks while striking out two, getting credit for his ninth hold.
- Ian Gibaut gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless sixth, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Los Angeles Dodgers – Handed a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Tanner Scott recorded a strikeout against Manny Machado, allowed Jackson Merrill’s RBI double, then bore down and retired Gavin Sheets (pop-out) and Xander Bogaerts (fly out) for his 12th save. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff (6.3 SwStr%).
He finished with a hit, an unearned run, and the strikeout. In his last four appearances, he’s only allowed the unearned run while posting a win and two saves.
- Kirby Yates worked a scoreless ninth, issuing a walk and striking out, collecting his second win, throwing 20 pitches (60 Strike%) with four whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- Alex Vesia tossed a clean eighth while striking out one.
- Anthony Banda logged two clean frames and recorded one strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Michael Kopech | Kirby Yates
*= closer-by-committee using a match-up-based approach.
Philadelphia Phillies – At the top of the 11th, Carlos Hernández recorded an out, then gave up Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI double, scoring the “place” runner, and a wild pitch put him on third. However, Hernández struck out Dansby Swanson and induced an inning-ending groundout. He collected his first win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
Jordan Romano worked a clean tenth, retiring the Cubs’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket in order on an efficient seven pitches (71.4 Strike%).
- Orion Kerkering worked a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one.
- Matt Strahm suffered his fourth blown save, giving up a game-tying solo home run by Ian Happ.
- Tanner Banks secured his first hold with a clean seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Matt Strahm | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer concept with a preferred save share (Romano)
San Diego Padres – At the start of the tenth, Wandy Peralta allowed a lead-off RBI double by Andy Pages, scoring the “place” runner, and a Tommy Edman single before retiring the next three batters, resulting in his first loss, though his teammates rallied for one run at the bottom of the frame.
Robert Suarez fired a clean ninth and recorded one strikeout on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with two whiffs (20 SwStr%). He has a nine-game scoreless streak since May 23 and has converted six saves in it while posting a 0.485 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus zero walks (28.6 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings.
- Adrian Morejon worked two-thirds scoreless in the eighth, walking one and striking out two.
- Jeremiah Estrada logged 1.1 clean frames, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Seattle Mariners – Although he worked a scoreless tenth, things took a turn for the worst in the 11th for Carlos Vargas. He recorded a strikeout against Corbin Carroll, then intentionally walked Ketel Marte, followed by another walk (Geraldo Perdomo) to load the bases ahead of a walk-off Josh Naylor grand slam, resulting in his fifth loss. He finished with a hit, four runs (three earned), and three walks (two intentional) while striking out two during his 1.1 innings.
Andrés Muñoz retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the ninth, keeping the game tied. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and produced one whiff (12.8 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Toronto Blue Jays – Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Jeff Hoffman locked down his 16th save, retiring the side and striking out one against the Cardinals’ 1-2-3 lineup pocket. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
He has converted three straight save chances and been scoreless in three of four games in June while recording seven strikeouts (43.8 K%) in 4.1 innings.
- Yariel Rodríguez took over at the bottom of the eighth with two runners and two outs, giving up Willson Contreras’ RBI single, followed by a go-ahead three-run home run by Iván Herrera, snapping his 12-game scoreless streak. Rodríguez kept the game tied with a clean bottom of the ninth, recording two strikeouts and collecting his first win while being tagged with his first blown save.
- Brendon Little allowed a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out three during a combined inning, getting credit for his 12th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yariel Rodríguez | Chad Green
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Finishing a six-run win, Dylan Lee retired the side and recorded two strikeouts while facing Milwaukee’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket, throwing 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he has posted a 0.143 WHIP with nine strikeouts against one walk (34.8 K-BB) through seven innings. Raisel Iglesias fired a clean eighth, striking out two on eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and inducing three whiffs (37.5 SwStr%) against the top of the batting order.
- Los Angeles Angels: Closing a three-run win with three pitches, Kenley Jansen does not get credit for a save since the tying run must be in the on-deck circle upon entry. He did quell the late rally by the A’s, inducing a game-ending Luis Urias’ groundout.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Taking over at the top of the fifth, Caleb Ferguson logged two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts. He was awarded his second win despite having a two-run lead upon entry.
- The Athletics: As the “bulk follower,” Jeffrey Springs suffered his fight loss, allowing five hits and four runs (three earned) while striking out eight over six innings.
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