Sunday’s slate featured seven wins by relievers, though two were accompanied by a blown save, seven saves, and four losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.20.2026
- Enyel De Los Santos (HOU): King worked two innings and threw 40 pitches on Sunday.
- Matt Brash (SEA): Muñoz has appeared in both games this weekend.
- Tanner Scott (LAD): Díaz did not record an out in yesterday’s appearance.
- Hoby Milner (CHC): Thielbar has pitched in consecutive contests, and Brown threw 38 pitches on Saturday, leaving the southpaw against the Phillies left-handed heavy top of the lineup.
- Ryne Stanek (STL): Possibly back in the saddle for one game since O’Brien has pitched in back-to-back days.
- Jimmy Herget (COL): If going against the stream, the “Widget” may get the save chance since Vodnik has pitched in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Stashes for 4.21.2026
- Robert Suarez (ATL): If Iglesias pitches on Monday, it will be consecutive contests.
- A.J. Blubaugh (HOU): If De Los Santos works on Monday, it’s back-to-back games, and King will be unavailable after throwing 40 pitches on Sunday.
- Anthony Bender (MIA): If Fairbanks pitches on Monday, it’s two straight games and three of the previous four.
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Making his first appearance since April 10, Edwin Díaz did not fare well. He was greeted by Willi Castro’s lead-off single, who then stole second base, Kyle Karros walked, and Brenton Doyle reached on a bunt, loading the bases, followed by Eduard Julien’s two-RBI single, prompting his removal. Kyle Hurt let one of two inherited runners score, retiring three batters, one via strikeout. As for Díaz, he finished with three hits, three earned runs, and a walk without recording an out. In his last two outings, he’s faced 12 batters, allowed seven hits, six earned runs, and two walks (one intentional) while retiring three batters. A stint on the disabled list may be in the offing. Though Dave Roberts suggests the closer tells him he wants to pitch more, in any situation, according to this post on MLB.com by Owen Perkins:
First, his game chart from Statcast:
And, his velocity chart, illustrating the precipitous drop below 93 miles per hour:
Something has to give for Díaz. Whether it’s a short stint on the injured list for rehab of his knee while working on his mechanics, or working more often in lower-leveraged situations if necessary. Through six appearances, he’s posted a 2.33 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against five walks (13.6 K-BB%). His BABIP has reached .500, and traffic-infested outings have affected his performance, along with reduced velocity.
This puts pressure on his fantasy managers, who may benefit from reserving him for the upcoming scoring period. It also means Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia will be popular stream options for those seeking saves. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia
Three Takeaways
Rust in a losing streak: It’s tough being a closer amid a team’s 11-game losing streak, and things get worse when his performance extends it. Devin Williams took over a 1-0 game at the bottom of the ninth at Wrigley Field. He suffered his first blown save, giving up Ian Happ’s lead-off single and Michael Conforto’s one-out, RBI double while recording all three outs via strikeout. He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Here are his results from this appearance:
Conforto ambushed a poorly placed first-pitch four-seam fastball. Williams has also incurred bad BABIP luck, which rose to .563 after this outing, versus his career .274 entering this contest. Focus on his 25.8 K-BB percentage through his first 6.1 innings, and know better days lie ahead. At the bottom of the tenth, Craig Kimbrel suffered his first loss, throwing a wild pitch putting the “ghost runner” on third, recording a strikeout, followed by a walk-off sacrifice fly.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Walking the leverage tightrope: If effectively wild were a closer, Seranthony Domínguez may be the poster boy. He navigated around a one-out walk and a hit batter with two outs by inducing a game-ending flyout, preserving a three-run margin for his fourth save. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). His illustrator:
After this appearance, he owns a 1.75 WHIP with 10 strikeouts versus eight walks (4.9 K-BB%) across eight innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Jordan Leasure | Jordan Hicks
Fear the Reaper: Another day, another dominant outing by Mason Miller. He moved to within one inning of tying the franchise record scoreless streak while nailing down his eighth save, protecting a one-run lead against the Angels. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%) while striking out two, without his best stuff working on consecutive days.
He’s registered multiple strikeouts in 10 of 11 appearances this season, resulting in 27 strikeouts against two walks (65.8 K-BB%) through 11.1 innings. Miller has been a force of nature this season.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday’s slate.
American League
Houston Astros
With a thin leverage ladder, Bryan King worked two innings. He turned in a scoreless top of the ninth, but was saddled with his first loss, allowing a batter to reach on an error, hit a batter, and a bases-clearing double by Masyn Winn. He finished with two hits, three runs (one earned), and one strikeout on 40 pitches (27 strikes – 67.5 Strike%) with two whiffs.
- Enyel De Los Santos tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one, extending his scoreless streak to five games, during which he’s converted two saves.
- Kai-Wei Teng logged two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out three.
King should get at least two days off, providing De Los Santos with the inside edge for a save chance early this week.
Hierarchy Remains: *Enyel De Los Santos | *Bryan King | Bryan Abreu
*= closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins
Having its three most trusted relievers unavailable proved costly. After stranding a runner at the top of the ninth, Garrett Acton returned for the tenth, allowing a walk, a hit, and three unearned runs, while striking out two, resulting in his first loss.
- Andrew Morris suffered his first blown save, giving up three hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out two across his 1.1 innings.
- Taylor Rogers notched his third hold, stranding two runners and retiring both batters in the seventh.
Cole Sands, Justin Topa, and Kody Funderburk had all pitched the two previous games of this series:
Hierarchy Remains: *Cole Sands | *Justin Topa | *Kody Funderburk
*= closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners
Locking down his third save, Andrés Muñoz fired a scoreless top of the ninth, striking out three, and inducing an inning-ending groundout. One batter reached on a wild pitch during his strikeout. Muñoz threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%).
After a meltdown on Wednesday, he has retired four of his last five batters via strikeout. Through nine appearances, spanning eight innings, he’s posted a 1.625 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against five walks (23.7 K-BB%).
- Gabe Speier recorded his third hold, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Entering at the bottom of the sixth, Tyler Wells tossed two clean frames, striking out five of six batters on 23 pitches (18 strikes – 78.3 Strike%) with eight whiffs (34.8 SwStr%).
- Cleveland Guardians: Wrapping up a four-run lead against the Orioles, Shawn Armstrong tossed a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout. Erik Sabrowski secured his American League-leading ninth hold with a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out three. Peyton Pallette logged two scoreless frames while striking out two for his first hold. Matt Festa was awarded his first win, stranding one of two runners, inducing a fielder’s choice grounder, and an inning-ending flyout at the top of the fifth.
- Detroit Tigers: In order of appearance, Kyle Finnegan allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh. Will Vest issued a walk during a scoreless eighth.
- Texas Rangers: Getting in work during an eventual loss, Jakob Junis issued two walks in a scoreless bottom of the eighth. He threw 21 pitches (9 strikes – 42.9 Strike%) and only induced one whiff. He has recorded a 0.871 WHIP through 10.1 innings with six strikeouts versus four walks (4.9 SwStr%).
National League
Atlanta Braves
Returning to action after being unavailable on Saturday, Raisel Iglesias navigated around a lead-off double and a one-out walk, with a strikeout, followed by a game-ending lineout snagged by Ronald Acuña Jr., preserving a two-run lead and securing his fifth save. He threw 21 pitches (61.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (19 SwStr%).
After this outing, Iglesias owns a 0.692 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against one walk (32.3 K-BB%) through eight games and 8.2 innings.
- Robert Suarez fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his fourth hold.
- Dylan Lee issued a walk during a scoreless seventh, notching his fourth hold.
- Tyler Kinley collected his third win, walking and striking out one in a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Chicago Cubs
Working in back-to-back games for the second time this season, Caleb Thielbar collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He took over at the top of the tenth and recorded two quick outs, allowed Marcus Semien’s single, but induced an inning-ending strikeout, stranding the “ghost runner.” He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
- Corbin Martin tossed a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Riley Martin gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Caleb Thielbar | *Ben Brown | Hoby Milner
*= closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds
Handed a three-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Graham Ashcraft recorded his first save as a professional at any level, issuing a walk and striking out one while stranding the “ghost runner.” He threw 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Emilio Pagán was tagged with his second blown save, but collected his second win after his team’s rally at the top of the tenth. He could not preserve a one-run lead, allowing James Outman’s lead-off double and Austin Martin’s game-tying, one-out double in the ninth, throwing 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) without a whiff. His illustrator:
And, his results:
His velocity did not suffer after his hamstring injury, but his command was a bit off, leaving too many pitches in the heart of the strike zone. Through 11 games, he owns a 1.236 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against six walks (8.3 K-BB%) across 11.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Colorado Rockies
Although he warmed up for a save chance, it may have been a fortunate circumstance. Victor Vodnik took over with a five-run lead, but his outing began with Shohei Ohtani’s ground-rule double, a strikeout, a wild pitch, an RBI single by Will Smith, followed by another single, and a walk. He bore down, inducing a fielder’s choice groundout, scoring a second run, and a game-ending lineout. In all, he allowed three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in a non-save outing, throwing 34 pitches (16 strikes – 47.1 Strike%) with two whiffs (5.9 SwStr%). A look at the Vodnik experience:
- Jimmy Herget navigated around two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth for his third hold.
- Antonio Senzatela collected his first win, giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out two across two innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Victor Vodnik | Jimmy Herget | Brennan Bernardino
Miami Marlins
Shutting the door on his third save, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, sealing a two-run lead against the Brewers. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff. It’s his first save since March 28. Although his ERA is inflated, he’s posted a 1.143 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against one walk (30 K-BB%) across seven innings.
- Calvin Faucher stranded two runners and retired his only batter in the eighth for his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Anthony Bender | Calvin Faucher
St. Louis Cardinals
Summoned with two runners on and two outs at the bottom of the tenth, Gordon Graceffo allowed an RBI single by Jose Altuve before inducing a game-ending groundout by Christian Walker for his first save of the season, second of his career.
- Justin Bruihl gets credit for his fourth hold, allowing a hit and an earned run during two-thirds of the tenth.
Riley O’Brien let both inherited runners score at the bottom of the eighth on Isaac Paredes’ single, then ended the inning, picking off the pinch runner at first. He collected his third win, while getting tagged with his first blown save, working a scoreless ninth, striking out two. O’Brien threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
He’s recorded a 0.406 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and no walks (34.1 K-BB%) through his first 12 games, spanning 12.1 innings.
- JoJo Romero allowed two hits, three earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth, credited with his sixth hold.
- Ryne Stanek retired the side in the seventh for his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | Ryne Stanek
Quick Hits
- Philadelphia Phillies: Back from Triple-A, Seth Johnson fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout against Atlanta’s 2-3-4 lineup pocket. Orion Kerkering allowed a walk during a scoreless eighth.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Making his MLB debut, Wilber Dotel allowed a solo home run (Junior Caminero) and recorded a strikeout, finishing a win in a non-save outing. Isaac Mattson notched his fifth hold, retiring the side and striking out one against the Rays’ 8-9-1 lineup pocket.
- San Francisco Giants: Appearing during a loss, Keaton Winn retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the seventh. JT Brubaker worked a clean eighth.
- Washington Nationals: Taking over a tied game at the top of the fifth, Andrew Alvarez completed the combined shutout, scattering three hits and striking out five over 4.1 innings. He was awarded his first win of the season while throwing 62 pitches (44 strikes – 71 Strike%) with six whiffs (9.7 SwStr%). His reward was a demotion back to Triple-A.
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