Friday’s 14-game slate featured three wins by relievers, with one accompanied by a blown save, eight saves, and three losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options across today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 4.25.2026
- Jack Perkins (ATH): He’s well-rested and could record a multi-inning win or save, while fantasy players hope he starts making one-inning save appearances, remain patient.
- Louis Varland (TOR): He’s not assured of save chances, but should be the primary beneficiary of Hoffman’s move into lower-leverage work.
- Rico Garcia (BAL): If Helsley’s not activated off the bereavement list, Garcia’s in play.
- Jordan Hicks (CHW): His inning of entry has been tough to predict, but with Domínguez unavailable today after appearing in back-to-back games, Hicks may be in line for the save opportunity. If not, Grant Taylor makes for a worthy speculative play. Trust your instincts.
- Ben Brown (CHC): Two days removed from a 37-pitch 2.1-inning outing, he could be in line for the save in today’s tilt against the Dodgers.
- Kyle Hurt (LAD): If the team monitors workloads, it used its leverage triumvirate in yesterday’s loss, and Scott has pitched in consecutive games, plus in three of the last four. Otherwise, Vesia and Treinen could pitch in back-to-back games, but going off the radar on this one.
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Can a fantasy manager trust a Rockies reliever? It’s been a long time since we benefited from an outlier season in 2022, when Daniel Bard recorded 34 saves with a 0.994 WHIP. However, with Victor Vodnik toting a WHIP over two, could another option be emerging?
Called upon with two runners on and one out at the bottom of the eighth, Antonio Senzatela stranded both, benefiting from an inning-ending lineout by Mark Vientos. Returning for the ninth, he retired the side and recorded a strikeout, finishing his second save with 1.2 scoreless frames on an efficient 10 pitches (70 Strike%) with three whiffs.
His breakout as a reliever continues. He has a 0.679 WHIP with 17 strikeouts versus four walks (20.6 K-BB%) through 17.2 innings. Part of the results lies in throwing fewer four-seam fastballs while ramping up his cutter use:
As one anticipates, a velocity increase has also benefited Senzatela:
His role may not change, but he’s a useful stream option for those seeking ancillary saves and ratio protection. Here are his splits-by-pitch this season:
Strange days indeed, and could we suggest fewer sinkers and more curves? Thanks in advance. Jaden Hill gets credit for his fifth hold despite allowing four hits and two earned runs while recording one out in the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Victor Vodnik | *Antonio Senzatela | Jimmy Herget
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Baker’s taken over: Forced into action with two runners in scoring position and no outs at the top of the ninth, Bryan Baker stranded both while retiring the Twins’ 9-1-2 hitters in order, one via strikeout, nailing down his fifth save. He threw 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
He’s made 10 appearances this season, posting a 1.072 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against three walks (18.4 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings. He’s also posted six games finished while converting five of seven save chances. He may not be the closer by name, but he’s been used like one.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Griffin Jax | Ian Seymour
Traffic equals nail-biters in leverage: Closing out a two-run lead while navigating around two hits at the bottom of the ninth, Cade Smith recorded his sixth save with a scoreless ninth in Toronto. He put himself into harm’s way, giving up consecutive singles, but induced a double play groundout by Eloy Jiménez, followed by a game-ending popout by Davis Schneider. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). It’s not been the start fantasy managers hoped for as Smith has a 1.462 WHIP with 15 strikeouts versus four walks (19.3 K-BB%) through his first 13 innings. He has only recorded three clean appearances of his first 13 appearances, and his .378 BABIP has been the culprit. His four-seam fastball has a .435 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and a 1.006 on-base plus slugging percentage against. It’s been covered in the past, but needs improvement for better results. Also from this contest: Erik Sabrowski notched his MLB-leading 10th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth. Hunter Gaddis fired a clean seventh, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Panic at Chavez Ravine? Culminating a less-than-stellar night for the bullpen, Tanner Scott took over a tied game at the top of the ninth. His outing began with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s lead-off single, followed by a go-ahead Dansby Swanson two-run home run. Scott retired the next two hitters, then departed after throwing 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%), resulting in his first loss. Edgardo Henriquez retired Alex Bregman, ending the ninth. Blake Treinen suffered his second blown save, giving up three hits, including Bregman’s solo home run, and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth. Alex Vesia let his only inherited runner score while allowing two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh. Combined, the relievers gave up seven hits, five earned runs, and a walk. The Cubs are on a heater, and this was an isolated contest. Scott will be fine. The highlighted fastball was probably intended to be further outside or more elevated; it caught too much of the strike zone during his back-to-back appearances, and third in four days:
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Alex Vesia | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday’s slate.
American League
Chicago White Sox
Sealing a one-run lead and his sixth save, Seranthony Domínguez worked around a one-out double by Luis García Jr. with a groundout and a game-ending strikeout of James Wood. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts.
He’s been scoreless in his last four and notched a save in three consecutive appearances.
- Jordan Leasure suffered his third blown save, giving up a game-tying solo home run by Brady House, but collected his second win courtesy of his team’s rally at the bottom of the eighth.
- Sean Newcomb stranded a runner and recorded a strikeout against his only batter in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Jordan Hick | Jordan Leasure
Detroit Tigers
Entering at the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead against the Reds’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, Kenley Jansen recorded two quick outs, then allowed a flare single into right-center field by Spencer Steer, followed by Nathaniel Lowe’s walk-off, two-run home run, resulting in his first loss and a second blown save. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He could not sneak this sinker past Lowe:
Across nine outings, he owns a 1.364 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus three walks (18.8 K-BB%).
- Drew Anderson notched his second hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth.
- Brant Hurter let his only inherited runner score, and an unearned run on a hit, and struck out one during one-third of the seventh.
- Will Vest suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh.
- Kyle Finnegan logged 1.2 innings, yielding two hits and an earned run with four strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
Kansas City Royals
Finishing off a three-run lead, Lucas Erceg allowed a two-out walk against Mike Trout, but induced a game-ending Jo Adell groundout, recording his sixth save. He threw 18 pitches (10 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%) while striking out two. His season has not been linear, as evidenced by his 1.646 WHIP, seven strikeouts versus eight walks (-2.3 K-BB%), and 10.1 innings.
- Matt Strahm secured his seventh hold, working a clean eighth.
- Daniel Lynch IV stranded the bases loaded with an inning-ending strikeout of Yoán Moncada for his third hold.
- Nick Mears was credited with his third hold despite issuing two walks, letting two of three inherited runners score during one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm | Nick Mears
Seattle Mariners
Shutting the door on his fourth save, Andrés Muñoz gave up a two-out single and recorded two strikeouts during a scoreless bottom of the ninth, preserving a one-run lead in St. Louis. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
Through 11 games, spanning 10 innings, he owns a 1.50 WHIP with 17 strikeouts against five walks (26.1 K-BB%).
- Eduard Bazardo stranded two runners and retired both batters in the eighth for his third hold.
- Gabe Speier was credited with his fourth hold, giving up two hits and striking out one in one-third of the eighth.
- Matt Brash fired a clean seventh, securing his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: In a lopsided win, Andrew Kittredge made his season debut, retiring the side against Boston’s 9-1-2 lineup pocket on 16 pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
- Houston Astros: Facing the Yankees’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket with his team trailing by eight runs, Bryan Abreu retired the side and recorded a strikeout on 14 pitches (6 strikes – 42.9 Strike%) without a whiff in an “effectively wild” appearance.
- Los Angeles Angels: Appearing in an eventual loss, Drew Pomeranz gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one at the bottom of the eighth against the Royals. Ryan Zeferjahn fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
- The Athletics: Wrapping up a seven-run lead in Texas, Luis Medina fired a clean bottom of the ninth on 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) with one whiff. Justin Sterner stranded two runners while retiring both batters in the eighth. Hogan Harris stranded two runners in the seventh and gave up two hits while striking out two during his two-thirds combined innings.
National League
Atlanta Braves
Working into and out of trouble, Robert Suarez held on for his third save, finishing a two-run lead at the top of the ninth. His outing began with a lead-off walk to Trea Turner, usually a leverage no-no, followed by a strikeout and a pop-out versus Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. However, with two outs, Adolis García singled, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch before a game-ending groundout by Brandon Marsh. Suarez threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Through 11.2 innings, he’s posted a 0.943 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus two walks (22.2 K-BB%).
- Joel Payamps allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth for his second hold.
- Aaron Bummer gave up a hit in a scoreless seventh, securing his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee
Chicago Cubs
With the leverage ladder thinned, Corbin Martin answered the call, securing his first save of the season and third of his career, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the ninth versus the Dodgers’ 5-6-7 hitters. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and racked up five whiffs (35.7 SwStr%) in his fourth outing.
- Ryan Rolison collected his first win, logging three scoreless frames and scattering two hits while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ben Brown | *Corbin Martin | *Hoby Milner
*= closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds
After working around a walk during a scoreless top of the ninth, Graham Ashcraft collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. The Reds are now 11-0 in games decided by two runs or less.
- Tony Santillan was charged with his first blown save, giving up three hits, including two home runs, and three earned runs at the top of the eighth.
- Brock Burke retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the seventh.
- Pierce Johnson tossed a clean sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Quick Hits
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Completing a combined shutout, Isaac Mattson issued a walk and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the ninth in Milwaukee. Mason Montgomery fired a clean eighth, striking out one on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Washington Nationals: A tough MLB debut for Riley Cornelio. He was tagged with his first loss and a blown save, allowing two hits, three runs (two earned), and four walks while striking out one across two innings.
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