Even though there were only eight games on Thursday, relievers recorded six saves and two wins against three losses. There was a three-inning save (Aaron Ashby) and new usage patterns by the Cubs, but here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Josh Hader | 18 | 18 | 77.8 | 16.7 | 2:0 |
| Edwin Díaz | 15 | 18 | 50 | 5.6 | 0:1 |
| Will Vest | 12 | 19 | 78.9 | 15.8 | 2:0 |
| Devin Williams | 9 | 11 | 63.6 | 27.3 | 1:0 |
| Ryan Pressly | 5 | 6 | 83.3 | 0 | 0:0 |
| Aaron Ashby | 1 | 33 | 60.6 | 3 | 1:0 |
A light schedule provides limited vulture save opportunities:
Vulture Save Option for June 13
- Fernando Cruz (NYY): Williams and Leiter Jr. have appeared in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Stashed for June 14
- Reed Garrett (NYM): If Díaz pitches tonight, it’s consecutive appearances and three in four days.
Closer CliffsNotes
Chicago Cubs –Receiving his first save opportunity since April 13, Ryan Pressly retired the side against Pittsburgh’s 5-6-7 lineup pocket on six pitches (83.3 Strike%) without a whiff.
This feels like a match-up-based approach rather than a role change.
Daniel Palencia notched his sixth hold, retiring the 2-3-4 hitters in order and recording one strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in seven of his last eight games, posting a 0.964 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus two whiffs (22.5 K-BB%) over 8.1 innings.
This feels like an approach based on the game situation. In a post for the Chicago Tribune by Sean Hammond, this note was shared about how Craig Counsell deployed his relievers:
- Brad Keller stranded one of two runners, issuing a walk and recording two strikeouts during two-thirds of the seventh for his tenth hold.
One can be considered a mistake or an outlier. However, two is a trend. How Counsell uses Palencia and Pressly in the same game may provide insight into their roles moving forward.
Updated Hierarchy: *Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller | Ryan Pressly
*= highest-leveraged reliever and primary save share (Palencia)
Colorado Rockies – Working into and then out of trouble, Seth Halvorsen allowed Wilmer Flores’ lead-off single at the top of the ninth, then walked Mike Yastrzemski before recording a strikeout and an inning-ending double play groundout, keeping his team within two runs. He collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Juan Mejia logged 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up a walk and striking out three.
- Jimmy Herget tossed 2.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and two walks while striking out three.
Updated Hierarchy: *Seth Halvorsen | *Victor Vodnik | *Zach Agnos
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Slamming the door on his 12th save, Will Vest fired a clean bottom of the ninth while facing Baltimore’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw 19 pitches (78.9 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%), retiring two of three hitters via strikeout.
Since May 18, he has recorded two wins while converting all eighth save chances with a 0.657 WHIP and 12 strikeouts versus two walks (19.6 SwStr%) through 13.2 innings.
- Tommy Kahnle gave up Dylan Carlson’s solo home run and issued a walk during the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Vest | *Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee with a preferred save share (Vest)
Houston Astros – It was a bit turbulent, but Josh Hader converted his 18th save in as many chances. He allowed Mike Tauchman’s lead-off home run and Miguel Vargas’ two-out double ahead of a game-ending strikeout.
He threw 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts.
However, he also allowed two hits and an earned run, snapping his nine-game scoreless streak.
- Bryan Abreu secured his 18th hold, allowing a hit and striking out one during a scoreless eighth.
- Bryan King notched his 14th hold with a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Shawn Dubin retired the side in the sixth for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
New York Mets – Forced into action with two runners on and no outs, Edwin Díaz issued a walk, loading the bases, followed by an RBI single by Josh Bell. After inducing a pop-out, Díaz threw a wild pitch, scoring the second inherited runner, but bore down and retired the next two batters via groundout for his 15th save. It was not pretty, but effective, preserving the one-run win, giving up a hit and a walk while throwing 18 pitches (50 Strike%) with one whiff.
He has been scoreless in 14 of his last 15 appearances, posting a 0.654 WHIP with 21 strikeouts against five walks (28.6 K-BB%) across 15.1 innings.
- Ryne Stanek allowed three hits and three runs (two earned) without retiring a batter.
- Huascar Brazobán worked 1.2 clean frames, stranding a runner in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Huascar Brazobán
New York Yankees – Nailing down his ninth save, Devin Wiliams fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while completing a combined shutout in Kansas City. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%) while facing the 4-5-6 lineup pocket.
Since May 27, he has converted all five save chances and been scoreless in his last three.
- Jonathan Loáisiga notched his third hold, retiring the side at the bottom of the eighth against the Royals’ top of the batting order.
- Mark Leiter Jr. was awarded his fourth win. He stranded a runner despite allowing a hit during one-third of the seventh.
- Tim Hill allowed a walk during his combined scoreless inning between the sixth and seventh innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Mark Leiter Jr. | Fernando Cruz
San Francisco Giants – Handed a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Randy Rodríguez was not sharp or efficient in Colorado. He retired Jordan Beck on a flyout, walked Sam Hilliard, allowed Thairo Estrada’s double, putting runners into scoring position, and walked Ryan McMahon to load the bases. Brento Doyle reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring a run while reaching on an error by Casey Schmitt. After striking out Hunter Goodman, Rodríguez gave up Orlando Arcia’s walk-off two-RBI single, resulting in his first loss and a blown save. He threw 43 pitches (23 strikes – 53.5 Strike%) and generated eight whiffs (18.6 SwStr%).
First, his pitch illustrator:
And his results:
This snapped his 16-game scoreless streak, though only one of the three runs was earned.
- Ryan Walker fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his sixth hold.
- Erik Miller notched his ninth hold, stranding a runner while walking one during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Camilo Doval | Randy Rodríguez | Tyler Rogers
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: As the “bulk follower,” Dean Kremer suffered his seventh loss. Entering during the second inning, he allowed five hits, four earned runs, and two walks while striking out eighth. Andrew Kittredge gave up a hit during a scoreless ninth.
- Chicago White Sox: During his second MLB appearance, Grant Taylor navigated around consecutive hits leading off the bottom of the eighth by retiring the next three batters, one via strikeout. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Dan Altavilla worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit.
- Kansas City Royals: Lucas Erceg allowed a lead-off single and a two-out walk (Ben Rice), then had the game-deciding run score during a fielder’s choice throwing error at home, resulting in his second loss. He gave up two hits, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Completing a combined shutout, Aaron Ashby scattered three hits, hit a batter, and recorded a strikeout for his first save and the third of his career. He threw 33 pitches (20 strikes – 60.6 Strike%) and produced one whiff. Nick Mears stranded a runner and retired all three batters, one via strikeout at the top of the sixth.
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