First, and foremost, Happy Easter to those who celebrate. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. Saturday’s slate resulted in six wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save, and six losses by relievers, with nine saves converted. Here are the saves in condensed form:
Today’s three takeaways include: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and the Yankees. As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.5.2026
- Fernando Cruz (NYY): Bednar threw 33 pitches during a save on Saturday, and Doval struggled during his outing against the Marlins.
- Jonathan Loáisiga (ARI): He’s already recorded a vulture save this week. Both Sewald and Morillo have pitched in back-to-back games.
- Greg Weissert (BOS): Chapman and Slaten have worked in the two previous games against San Diego.
- Connor Phillips (CIN): Another reliever with a save under his belt, plus his team’s bullpen hierarchy has all worked in consecutive contests.
- Jordan Hicks (CHW): Seranthony Domínguez and Grant Taylor have appeared in both games in the Toronto series.
Doubleheader options
- Cleveland: Preferred option: Connor Brogdon; Wild Card: Kolby Allard
- Chicago Cubs: Preferred option: Phil Maton; Wild Card: Ben Brown
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As for baseball, Saturday’s outing felt like walking a tightrope at the bottom of the ninth when Emilio Pagán closed out a combined shutout in Texas. His outing began with a leadoff walk, followed by a double play groundout, another walk, and a single, but he bore down, recording a game-ending strikeout of Evan Carter for his third save. His final line was not pretty, a hit and two walks with a strikeout on 23 pitches (12 strikes – 52.2 Strike%) with three whiffs (13 SwStr%).
While the velocity does not jump off the page, it should be noted he averaged 95.8 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball last season. Here are his velocities by game this season, including yesterday:
He’s never been a command first reliever, but recorded a 65.5 strike percentage last year and a 64.4 percent first-pitch strike rate. In his limited sample this year, he’s posted a 59.2 strike percentage and a 44 percent first-pitch strike rate. Here was his illustrator from Saturday’s save, noting Sam Moll was warming up while Pagán’s pitch count rose:
After five games, spanning 5.1 innings, he has a 1.689 WHIP with six strikeouts against three walks. His 8.44 ERA is accompanied by a 3.95 SIERA and a 6.55 xERA. He has not been giving up contact; rather, he has been getting better contact, fueling his early struggles. Of his 15 batted ball events, three have been barrels (20 percent), and hitters have produced a 53.3 percent hard hit rate. This may be a blip, but his velocity must be monitored. If it does not reach last year’s levels, his 2024 results may be a barometer for his expected outcomes this season. Stay tuned.
- Tony Santillan notched his third hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one.
- Graham Ashcraft also secured his third hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Three Takeaways
Santana collects his second win: Tasked with the top of the ninth during a tied contest, Dennis Santana retired the Orioles’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket in order and recorded one strikeout on 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) with one whiff.
He collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning and has a 0.50 WHIP with four strikeouts through six innings this season. The irony lies in the fact that this was the exact lineup pocket Gregory Soto was reserved for during his save on Friday.
- Isaac Mattson navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Hunter Barco logged 2.1 scoreless innings despite issuing three walks and recording one strikeout.
Fantasy players prefer clarity, but the co-closer concept in this bullpen will continue.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gregory Soto | *Dennis Santana | Justin Lawrence
*= closer-by-committee
Helsley and the ABS challenge: As teams’ learning curves grow during the ABS challenge system, exhausting them in close contests may be a mistake. Case in point, yesterday’s game in Pittsburgh. Gunnar Henderson used the team’s last challenge during an at-bat against Santana, and lost, resulting in no further ones for the Orioles, segue alert. Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Helsley suffered his first loss. His outing began with a groundout, followed by Bryan Reynolds’ double, an intentional walk (Ryan O’Hearn), and ended on a walk-off double by Nick Yorke on a 3-2 pitch. The irony, he could not challenge a potential strike three call on a 2-2 pitch against Yorke, which would have resulted in a strikeout (the red dot below the two yellow ones at the bottom third of the strike zone):
Helsley threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff. After three games, he owns a 2.14 WHIP with four strikeouts against one walk over 2.1 innings. He has not given up a barrel in his eight batted ball events, but his 75 percent hard hit rate should not be ignored.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Helsley | Yennier Cano | Grant Wolfram
Bednar hangs on against Miami: Staked to a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, David Bednar held on for his MLB-leading fourth save. It started with Otto Lopez reaching on an infield single, aided by a bobble on the transfer by Jazz Chisolm Jr., followed by a groundout, a walk, and an RBI single. Bednar bore down, striking out Owen Caissie, gave up a single by Javier Sanoja, and recorded a game-ending strikeout of Griffin Conine. All told, he allowed three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two on 33 pitches (21 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) with five whiffs (15.2 SwStr%). First, his illustrator:
And, his results:
Through two games this month, he’s logged 73 pitches (48 strikes – 65.7 Strike%) with seven whiffs (10 SwStr%) while converting two saves. In 2026, his 84.2 percent contact rate is well above his career 71.3 percentage and he’s inducing fewer whiffs at an eight percent swinging strike rate in his limited sample against a 14.7 percent rate for his career.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Here are the remaining results of interest from Saturday’s slate.
American League
Boston Red Sox
With the score tied at the top of the ninth, Aroldis Chapman allowed a two-out double by Fernando Tatis Jr., followed by Ramón Laureano’s go-ahead RBI single, resulting in his first loss. He gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in this outing, throwing 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) with three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
Making his first appearance without rest, one anticipates reduced velocity. However, it’s been an ongoing theme this year. He owns a 0.75 WHIP with three strikeouts versus one walk across four innings.
- Zack Kelly tossed a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Justin Slaten worked around a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh.
- Danny Coulombe retired both batters, one via strikeout in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Chicago White Sox
Presented a three-run lead, Seranthony Domínguez worked himself into and out of trouble, converting his first save this season with a scoreless ninth. His outing began with a lead-off walk, followed by a fielder’s choice groundout, a single by Jesús Sánchez, a strikeout, and a game-ending groundout. He threw 24 pitches (14 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%), taking over against the 7-8-9 lineup pocket.
Through four games, he owns a 1.80 WHIP with three strikeouts against two walks over 3.1 innings.
- Sean Newcomb stranded a runner and walked one during his one-third of the eighth.
- Jordan Hicks logged 1.1 scoreless frames and issued a walk, getting his first hold.
- Chris Murphy collected his first win despite giving up two hits and an earned run during his combined inning.
- Grant Taylor appeared as the “opener” again, retiring the side and striking out one in the first on nine pitches (55.6 Strike%) with one whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Grant Taylor | Jordan Hicks
Detroit Tigers
Pitching through a progressively intense rainfall, Kenley Jansen issued a four-pitch walk, then rebounded with a strikeout against Nolan Gorman before the umps called for the tarps, and the game was eventually called.
- Tyler Holton worked a scoreless eighth and allowed one hit, securing his first hold.
- Will Vest gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh, notching his second hold.
- Brant Hurter issued a walk during a scoreless sixth and was awarded his first win.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
Kansas City Royals
Recording his first save of the season and marking the seventh MLB save requiring three innings, Eli Morgan secured a split, logging three scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out five. His reward for this outing was an immediate demotion of the extra player for the doubleheader.
- Nick Mears collected his first win, retiring the side in the sixth ahead of his team’s six-run rally at the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm | John Schreiber
Los Angeles Angels
Although the save may be more deserved for Jo Adell robbing a third home run in the ninth inning, Jordan Romano closed out a combined shutout and recorded his third save, retiring the Mariners’ 7-8-9 lineup pocket at the top of the ninth. He threw 15 pitches (53.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff while recording one strikeout, surviving this slider placement against J.P. Crawford:
He owns a 0.43 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus two walks over 4.2 innings.
- Drew Pomeranz stranded a runner while retiring his only batter in the eighth for his third hold.
- Sam Bachman allowed a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth for his second hold.
- Chase Silseth retired all three batters, two via strikeout, and stranded two runners in the seventh, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Drew Pomeranz | Chase Silseth
Quick Hits
- Houston Astros: Completing a combined shutout against the A’s, Steven Okert fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded one strikeout. Kai-Wei Teng logged 2.1 innings, scattering two hits and striking out three.
- Texas Rangers: Hidden in a shutout loss, Jacob Latz fired a clean top of the seventh and recorded two strikeouts while facing the top of the Reds’ lineup. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- The Athletics: The good news is that Luis Medina racked up four strikeouts over his two-inning outing. However, he also allowed two hits, including a solo home run, and two walks, throwing 43 pitches (23 strikes – 53.5 Strike%) with eight whiffs (18.6 SwStr%).
- Toronto Blue Jays: Another rough outing for Brendon Little. He suffered his second loss and a second blown save, giving up three hits, two home runs, and three earned runs while striking out one at the bottom of the sixth.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Being a goldfish, Paul Sewald put last night’s loss behind him and took over once again with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth versus Atlanta. This time, facing the 5-6-7 lineup pocket, he retired the side and recorded two strikeouts, locking down his third save. He threw 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (9.5 SwStr%).
Sewald owns a 0.50 WHIP with seven strikeouts and no walks(50 K-BB%) through his first five games.
- Juan Morillo notched his third hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one versus the 2-3-4 hitters.
- Jonathan Loáisiga tossed a clean seventh, securing his second hold.
- Taylor Clarke retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the sixth for his third hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Jonathan Loáisiga
Milwaukee Brewers
(Game 1) – Trevor Megill notched his second save despite issuing two walks and recorded two strikeouts, including a game-ender facing Vinnie Pasquantino. He threw 22 pitches (12 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
He’s posted a 1.67 WHIP with five strikeouts versus three walks through his first three games.
- Abner Uribe retired all four batters faced, one via strikeout for his second hold, throwing 14 pitches (57.1 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Aaron Ashby allowed four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out three over his 1.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Ángel Zerpa
Philadelphia Phillies
Nailing down his third save and preserving a one-run margin in Colorado, Jhoan Duran retired the side and recorded a strikeout while facing the Rockies’ 4-5-6 hitters. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (25 SwStr%).
He’s posted a 0.83 WHIP with seven strikeouts and no walks (41.2 K-BB%) through five games.
- Brad Keller allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth for his second hold.
- José Alvarado stranded an inherited runner, walking and striking out one during one-third of the seventh, securing his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
San Diego Padres
Capping his team’s rally at the top of the ninth, Mason Miller shut the door on his third save, striking out the side in Boston on 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and producing four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%).
Through 3.1 innings, he’s recorded eight strikeouts against one walk (58.3 K-BB%) while posting a 0.60 WHIP.
- Adrian Morejon allowed two hits and could have escaped with a scoreless outing, but Jake Cronenworth could not complete a double play. Morejon was tagged with his second blown save and collected his first win while striking out two at the bottom of the eighth.
- Jeremiah Estrada retired the side and secured his second hold in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jeremiah Estrada | Adrian Morejon
San Francisco Giants
While their team suffered a shutout loss, Caleb Kilian and Keaton Winn logged appearances. Kilian retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the eighth, throwing 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s retired all 12 batters faced this season and recorded five strikeouts (41.7 K-BB%).
Winn allowed Brett Baty’s leadoff double and a one-out RBI single by Tyrone Taylor, finishing with two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the seventh. He threw 23 pitches (56.6 Strike%) with four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%). Through four outings, he’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus two walks (31.3 K-BB%).
Hierarchy Remains: *Ryan Walker | *Keaton Winn | *Caleb Kilian
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Keeping his team within one run in a loss, Tyler Kinley fired a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded a strikeout in Arizona.
- Colorado Rockies: As the “bulk follower,” Chase Dollander suffered his first loss, giving up four hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out six across 4.1 innings.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: During a blowout win, Tanner Scott gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the seventh against the Nationals, throwing 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Miami Marlins: Suffering his first loss, Michael Petersen issued three walks, resulting in three earned runs on Giancarlo Stanton’s bases-emptying double during the bottom of the eighth.
- New York Mets: Finishing off a combined shutout, Tobias Myers fired two clean frames and recorded one strikeout against the Giants.
- Washington Nationals: In an eventual loss, Cole Henry logged two scoreless frames, allowing a lead-off single by Andy Pages at the top of the ninth, and registered two strikeouts on 23 pitches (16 strikes – 69.6 Strike%) with two whiffs.
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Statistical Credits: