Friday’s slate featured five shutouts. There were five wins by relievers, nine saves, and three losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture option during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Option for 5.9.2026
- Erik Sabrowski (CLE): Smith has pitched in three consecutive games.
- Jeff Hoffman (TOR): Varland has worked in three of the previous four.
- Graham Ashcraft (CIN): Santillan struggled in yesterday’s outing, giving Ashcraft a chance at the next save?
- Joel Kuhnel (ATH): Perkins has appeared in two of the last three games, throwing 58 pitches.
- Joel Peguero (SF): Kilian logged 35 pitches in a non-save outing yesterday. Will the flamethrower get a save opportunity today?
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Remember when fantasy managers were frustrated about the Dodgers’ usage patterns after Edwin Díaz was placed on the injured list? There will be games that Dave Roberts’ managing for a win will trigger the fantasy community, but roles are settling in. Slamming the door on his third save, Tanner Scott fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout against Atlanta’s 9-1-2 lineup pocket. He threw 11 pitches (10 strikes – 90.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
He’s been scoreless in 13 of his last 14 appearances, posting a 0.585 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against two walks (20.8 K-BB%) across 13.2 innings since April fourth.
- Brock Stewart notched his first hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Will Klein allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one for his fourth hold in the seventh.
- Kyle Hurt secured his first hold, navigating around two hits and striking out one in a scoreless sixth.
- Alex Vesia collected his first win, stranding two runners and retiring his only batter in the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Blake Treinen
Three Takeaways
Santillan’s struggles continue: Getting in work during an eventual shutout loss, Tony Santillan did not record an out, giving up four hits, two of which were home runs, for four earned runs. First, his illustrator:
And, his results:
He’s allowed five home runs of his 15 hits allowed this season. Four of the home runs have occurred against his four-seam fastball, across 32 batted ball events. That is one every eight put into play while he’s working with reduced velocity this season:
He’s posted a .428 wOBA with his fastball in this year’s limited sample, but it’s tough to ignore the batted ball data. This outing spiked his WHIP to 1.532 and makes him a risky option for those seeking saves in this bullpen.
Updated Hierarchy: *Graham Ashcraft | *Tony Santillan | Pierce Johnson
*= closer-by-committee
Hogan was the hero: Summoned with a runner on and two outs, Hogan Harris walked Leody Taveras, then recorded a game-ending strikeout of Jeremiah Jackson for his second save, preserving a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth. He threw 11 pitches (5 strikes – 45.5 Strike%) without a whiff. Jack Perkins was one strike from a save, but gave up an RBI single by Samuel Basallo, prompting his removal. He allowed a hit, an earned run, and a leadoff walk, always a leverage mortal sin, while striking out two during two-thirds of the ninth. He was credited with his first hold, throwing 25 pitches (52 Strike%) with three whiffs. It’s easy kicking dirt on the reliever, but he’s learning high-leverage on the fly. Avoid the leadoff walk, and he finishes the save chance. As a point of reference, his pitch results from this outing:
Hierarchy Remains: *Jack Perkins | *Hogan Harris | *Joel Kuhnel
*= closer-by-committee
Another Tigers’ collapse: After stranding two runners at the bottom of the eighth, Brant Hurter suffered his first loss when he returned for the ninth. With two outs, he allowed Nick Loftin’s double, followed by Kyle Isbel’s walk-off, RBI single. Hurter finished his 1.2 innings with two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one. Kyle Finnegan was charged with his first blown save, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk without retiring a batter at the bottom of the eighth. Tyler Holton notched his third hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out one. Over the last 14 days, the Tigers have had a bottom-five bullpen in Win Probability Added (-0.70), converting one of four save opportunities.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Kyle Finnegan | Brant Hurter
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday’s slate.
American League
Boston Red Sox
Shutting the door on his eighth save and closing out a combined shutout, Aroldis Chapman retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Rays. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
Chapman extended his scoreless streak to nine games, producing a 0.807 WHIP with 13 strikeouts versus two walks (34.3 K-BB%) across 8.2 innings.
- Garrett Whitlock notched his seventh hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Zack Kelly
Cleveland Guardians
Appearing for a third straight game, Cade Smith allowed consecutive hits leading off the top of the ninth, and traded an earned run for two outs by inducing a double play groundout against Ryan Jeffers, then finished his 11th save with a game-ending strikeout of Josh Bell. Smith threw 15 pitches (13 strikes – 86.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). His illustrator:
Sometimes we should just tip our cap to MLB hitters, evidenced by Smith’s results chart:
He’s worked 18.1 innings this season, posting a 1.255 WHIP with 24 strikeouts versus four walks (26.3 K-BB%).
- Tim Herrin allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth for his first hold.
- Colin Holderman stranded a runner, walking and striking out one during two-thirds combined innings, securing his first hold.
- Matt Festa was credited with his fifth hold despite giving up three hits and two earned runs during two-thirds combined innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski | Colin Holderman
Kansas City Royals
Not only did Lucas Erceg navigate around a hit and a walk for a scoreless top of the ninth, but he also survived an awkward collision with his catcher, Elias Díaz, remaining in the game. With the go-ahead run at third, Erceg induced an inning-ending pop-out by Colt Keith, then collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 14 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He’s only allowed an unearned run during his last eight appearances, racking up three wins and five saves while recording a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts against six walks across eight innings.
- John Schreiber gave up a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Luis Avila allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Lucas Erceg | Matt Strahm | Daniel Lynch IV
Los Angeles Angels
In an eventual shutout loss, José Fermin retired all four batters, two via strikeout. Brent Suter fired a clean sixth, striking out two. Kirby Yates made his season debut, allowing a one-out single and striking out one facing the top of Toronto’s lineup. He threw 24 pitches (15 strikes – 62.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (8.3 SwStr%).
However, reports on his minor league outings were confirmed regarding his four-seam velocity:
- Alek Manoah worked a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Zeferjahn | Sam Bachman | Kirby Yates
Toronto Blue Jays
Preserving a combined shutout and nailing down his fifth save, Louis Varland retired the side against the Angels’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket on 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) without a whiff. Through 19.2 innings, he’s posted a 1.068 WHIP with 29 strikeouts versus seven walks (29 K-BB%) and converted five of six save chances since April 21.
- Jeff Hoffman worked a scoreless eighth, despite allowing Vaughn Grissom’s leadoff double, and recorded a strikeout for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Deployed for the first time in five days, Seranthony Domínguez retired the side and recorded two strikeouts during an eventual loss against the Mariners. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in eight of his last nine outings, posting a 0.692 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus four walks (21.9 K-BB%) over 8.2 innings.
- Seattle Mariners: In order of appearance, Eduard Bazardo gave up a hit during a scoreless bottom of the seventh. Alex Hoppe allowed three hits and two earned runs while striking out one in the eighth. Josh Simpson served up a solo shot by Randal Grichuk and recorded two strikeouts, finishing the eventual four-run margin during the ninth.
National League
Colorado Rockies
Presented a one-run lead at the bottom of the 11th, Juan Mejia allowed Justin Crawford’s leadoff single, then retired the top of the Phillies’ lineup in order while striking out one for his second save. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in five of his last six appearances. However, it feels like when fantasy managers begin to trust him, he implodes. He’s intriguing, but not quite trustworthy.
Victor Vodnik collected his first win, logging two scoreless frames and stranding a “courtesy runner,” issuing a walk (intentional – Brandon Marsh), and striking out two. This marks his second two-inning outing this season. He had allowed at least a run in three of his previous five games, resulting in nine earned runs.
- Jimmy Herget suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, including a game-tying two-run home run by Crawford.
Updated Hierarchy: Victor Vodnik | Juan Mejia | Antonio Senzatela
New York Mets
Capping his team’s two-run rally at the top of the tenth, Tobias Myers locked down his first career save at the bottom of the frame, retiring Arizona’s 9-1-2 lineup pocket in order while striking out two. He threw 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Devin Williams collected his second win, firing a clean ninth and striking out one on eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) with two whiffs.
He extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he’s allowed one hit (0.176 WHIP) and recorded eight strikeouts without a walk (47.1 K-BB%) over his last 5.2 innings.
- Brooks Raley allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Luke Weaver navigated around a hit and two walks while striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Philadelphia Phillies
Entering at the top of the 11th, Brad Keller was tagged with his first loss, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out two. He’s given up a run in three of his last five outings. Orion Kerkering worked a scoreless tenth, yielding a hit and striking out one. José Alvarado fired a clean ninth, striking out two, keeping the game tied.
Jhoan Duran was getting in work at the top of the eighth, and his team was trailing by five. He gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts on 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
San Francisco Giants
Beginning the top of the ninth with a four-run lead, Caleb Kilian struggled with his command, issuing consecutive one-out walks to Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin, then giving up an RBI single by Spencer Horwitz. Kilian bore down, retiring Brandon Lowe on an infield flyout and Ryan O’Hearn on a game-ending groundout, closing out the win. He threw 35 pitches (20 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and only induced one whiff. His illustrator:
And, his results:
- Matt Gage worked a scoreless eighth while walking one.
- Keaton Winn fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his eighth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Caleb Kilian | *Keaton Winn | Joel Peguero
*= closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals
Forced into action at the bottom of the ninth with a runner on, PJ Poulin walked Heriberto Hernández, then induced a game-ending groundout by Leo Jiménez for his first save of the season, second of his career. He threw 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) and produced one whiff.
- Brad Lord logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two for his third hold, but was removed after a batter reached on an error at the bottom of the ninth with his pitch count at 31.
Updated Hierarchy: *Gus Varland | *Richard Lovelady | PJ Poulin
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Pressed into duty with two runners on and one out, Jonathan Loáisiga retired both batters at the top of the tenth. Kevin Ginkel suffered his second loss, allowing three hits, including RBI doubles by Mark Vientos and Carson Benge, resulting in two runs (one earned) during his one-third of an inning.
- Miami Marlins: Another multi-inning outing during a loss for Tyler Phillips. He kept his team within one, working 2.1 scoreless innings while giving up a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. John King allowed a walk and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth. Anthony Bender tossed a scoreless combined inning, striking out one.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Taking the baton from Jacob Misiorowski and finishing a combined shutout against the Yankees, Shane Drohan recorded his first career save. He only gave up one hit while striking out three across three innings, throwing 40 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and generating seven whiffs (17.5 SwStr%).
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Statistical Credits: