Thursday’s nine-game slate featured five wins by relievers, four saves, and seven losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.24.2026
- Luke Weaver (NYM): Williams has allowed at least a run in four consecutive appearances.
- Ben Brown (CHC): If he’s available, he should take over as the preferred save option with Thielbar likely headed to the injured list.
For those interested in our premium option (ad-free content), please use this LINK; it is $30 and covers the season. Premium will operate via Substack for 2026. Please include your preferred email address, and we will manually add you to our ad-free list. You can also Venmo the $30 to @gjewett9.
Putting an end to a strange night at Citi Field, Devin Williams started his entry for the ninth inning, but his teammate, Huascar Brazobán, had to face one more batter after crossing the baseline, delaying the show. He retired Austin Martin on a groundout, but allowed all three inherited runners to score in the eighth on Ryan Jeffers’ grand slam. This outcome prevented him from being part of the equation for the win, according to the home scorer:
With one out, Williams took over, striking out Luke Keaschall, then allowed consecutive singles and an RBI double by Byron Buxton, followed by a game-ending strikeout of Trevor Larnach. Enacting the “brief and ineffective rule,” the “Airbender” was awarded his first win, not a save. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%). It’s better than facing five hitters without recording an out, but three hits in an outing are less than ideal. First, his illustrator:
And, his results:
Honestly, these were not terrible pitches, but Williams’ BABIP of .619 cannot last throughout the season. He’s lost some vertical movement with his change-up:
Which may or may not be mechanical. Through his first nine appearances, he owns a 10.29 ERA with a 3.46 SIERA and 4.88 xERA. His 17.1 K-BB percentage is not terrible, and with improved results on his change-up, better days lie ahead. However, how long can fantasy managers wait? Here are his splits-by-pitch by half-season last year:
And his splits by month and half-season in 2025:
He started slowly last year as well, but a clean outing or two would be welcomed by the fantasy community. Stashing Luke Weaver in case makes sense, but this is now at DEFCON 4, while the runway gets shorter.
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Three Takeaways
Tanner takes the wheel: Locking down his first save, Tanner Scott retired the side on 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%) while facing the Giants’ 8-9-1 hitters, including a right-handed pinch hitter (Jerar Encarnacion).
This outing extended his scoreless streak to eight games, and he’s posted a 0.562 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus one walk (21.6 K-BB%) over 10.2 innings. Alex Vesia warmed up during the eighth but was not needed. Dave Roberts may make Scott earn the primary save share, but he’s being paid like a closer; why not use him as such?
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Alex Vesia | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee
Mount Vodnik’s meltdown: Pressed into action with two runners on and two outs at the top of the eighth, Victor Vodnik struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. However, things went awry in the ninth. It started with a lead-off walk, a leverage no-no, followed by three consecutive singles, and culminated in Gavin Sheets’ grand slam. After striking out Freddy Fermin, the Rockies’ closer was removed, but the damage had been done in the game and his fantasy managers’ ratios. He allowed four hits, five earned runs, and a walk while striking out two during his two-thirds combined innings, resulting in his second loss and second blown save. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) without a whiff. His illustrator:
And, his results:
That’s way too much center-cut contact for any reliever in Coors Field. After this game, his WHIP sits at 2.156 through 10.2 innings; less than optimal. Brennan Bernardino recorded the last two outs. Juan Mejia (1) and Seth Halvorsen (1) each recorded a hold. Change may not be imminent, and trusting any Rockies reliever carries inherent risk, but this will be monitored closely going forward.
Hierarchy Remains: Victor Vodnik | Jimmy Herget | Brennan Bernardino
Sewald’s kryptonite: Appearing in back-to-back games, Paul Sewald took over a tied game at the top of the ninth, issuing a lead-off walk, a leverage mortal sin, recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, allowed another walk, then served up Andrew Benintendi’s go-ahead three-run home run, resulting in his third loss. He threw 19 pitches (9 strikes – 47.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff during his two-thirds of the inning. However, he cannot live here with his four-seam during a 2-2 count:
The good news is that he owns a 0.90 WHIP through 10 innings, but of his six hits, three have been home runs (16.7 HR/FB%). Juan Morillo worked 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two. Kevin Ginkel logged 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out two. This represents a good time for those looking to stash A.J. Puk; he could return by late May. Until then, Sewald has rope, but Morillo could work his way into more save opportunities if home runs remain an issue for his team’s closer.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Jonathan Loáisiga
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Thursday’s nine-game slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
Handed a three-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Seranthony Domínguez shut the door on his fifth save, retiring the side and striking out two against Arizona’s 5-6-7 lineup pocket. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
He has made 10 appearances this season, posting a 1.556 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against eight walks (9.1 K-BB%).
- Grant Taylor collected his first win, scattering two hits and striking out three across 1.2 scoreless frames, throwing 26 pitches (19 strikes – 73.1 Strike%) with five whiffs (19.2 SwStr%). It would be nice if there were a defined role for Taylor.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Jordan Leasure | Jordan Hicks
Detroit Tigers
Called upon at the top of the ninth with one out, the score tied, and two runners on, Brant Hurter induced an inning-ending double play groundout against David Hamilton, then collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Burch Smith logged 1.1 innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one. Tyler Holton gave up two hits and a walk during a scoreless seventh, but let his only inherited runner score.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
New York Yankees
Preserving a two-run lead and finishing a sweep in Boston, David Bednar nailed down his seventh save. He retired the side against the 2-3-4 lineup pocket on 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) with one whiff.
He’s been scoreless in his last four appearances and has posted a 1.593 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against five walks (16.3 K-BB%) across 10.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Danny Coulombe was charged with his first loss while getting credit for his second hold, allowing three hits and three earned runs with two strikeouts over two-thirds of the seventh. Greg Weissert replaced him, allowing all three inherited runners to score, yielding two hits and a walk while striking out one, resulting in his second blown save.
- Minnesota Twins: While logging 2.2 innings against the Mets, Andrew Morris suffered his first loss, giving up two hits and two earned runs while striking out four.
- Texas Rangers: Making his MLB debut, Payton Gray retired the side and recorded a game-ending strikeout, closing out a five-run lead against the Pirates’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket. Jakob Junis tossed a clean eighth, facing the 3-4-5 hitters, throwing nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in 10 of 11 outings this season, but last recorded a save on April 12.
National League
Chicago Cubs
Out of necessity, Javier Assad took over at the top of the tenth and stranded the “courtesy runner” with the help of his infield defense. He retired the side against the Phillies’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket on seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Riley Martin worked a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one, entering after an injury.
- Caleb Thielbar suffered his first blown save, allowing a pinch-hit solo home run by Adolis García, and then left the game with a reported hamstring injury.
- Jacob Webb was tagged with his second blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the eighth.
- Hoby Milner gets credit for his second hold despite issuing two walks and an eventual earned run on his ledger during his two-thirds of the eighth.
It’s anticipated that Thielbar will be placed on the injured list, which means Ben Brown should take over as the preferred save share. Phil Maton is scheduled for a rehab outing at Triple-A today as well:
Assad can fill Brown’s vacated multi-inning role until help arrives.
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Caleb Thielbar | Ben Brown | Hoby Milner
If Thielbar’s placed on the injured reserve:
Projected Hierarchy: Ben Brown | Hoby Milner | Javier Assad
Milwaukee Brewers
Tasked with a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Abner Uribe recorded a strikeout against Matt Vierling, then served up a walk-off home run by Spencer Torkelson, resulting in his first loss.
A 3-1 count is not ideal, but sometimes you tip your cap to the hitter. This snapped his modest three-game scoreless streak. Through 11 appearances, he’s posted a 1.286 WHIP with 10 strikeotus versus three walks (18 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings.
- Ángel Zerpa suffered his third blown save, giving up Jahmai Jones’ game-tying solo home run, and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth.
- Trevor Megill fired a clean seventh, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Abner Uribe | Ángel Zerpa | Trevor Megill
Philadelphia Phillies
Summoned at the bottom of the tenth of a tied game, Tanner Banks intentionally walked Seiya Suzuki, allowed a single by Carson Kelly to load the bases, struck out Michael Busch, then gave up Dansby Swanson’s walk-off RBI single, resulting in his second loss.
- José Alvarado tossed a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- Brad Keller served up Suzuki’s go-ahead home run in the eighth, ending his three-game scoreless streak.
- Orion Kerkering worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Brad Keller | *José Alvarado | *Orion Kerering
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres
Capping a wild rally at Coors, Mason Miller allowed Troy Johnston’s one-out single, then induced a game-ending double play groundout, securing his MLB-leading ninth save and extending his scoreless streak to a franchise record tying 33.2 innings. He threw seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) without a whiff.
His WHIP rose to 0.407 after this outing, and he has recorded 27 strikeouts versus two walks (61 K-BB%) across 12.1 innings.
- Ron Marinaccio was awarded his first win, logging two innings while giving up four hits and an earned run.
- Adrian Morejon gave up a solo home run by Mickey Moniak and recorded a strikeout in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Wrapping up his team’s five-run win over the Nationals, Carlos Carrasco tossed a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded one strikeout. Dylan Lee fired a clean eighth, striking out two on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
- San Francisco Giants: In an eventual loss, Blade Tidwell tossed two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two.
- Washington Nationals: Entering at the top of the seventh, Cionel Pérez suffered his third loss, allowing a hit, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one during his one-third of an inning. Gus Varland replaced him, putting gas on the first, letting all three inherited runners score while giving up three hits and an earned run with a strikeout in his two-thirds of the frame.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: