Tuesday’s slate featured ten reliever wins, nine saves, and six losses, plus five blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 369 saves this season, by 130 different pitchers.
As for the vultures recommendations:
Vulture Save Options for 5.20.2026
- Antonio Senzatela (COL): With three days’ rest, he could log a multi-inning save or vulture a win.
- Jason Adam (SD): Miller has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Ian Seymour (TB): Baker and Kelly have pitched in three of the previous four.
- Jose A. Ferrer (SEA): Muñoz has appeared in consecutive contests. Ferrer has as well, but he only faced one batter in last night’s game.
- Joel Peguero (SF): Kilian should be unavailable after 25 pitches, and Miller’s a mess.
Vulture Save Stashes for 5.21.2026
- Colin Holderman (CLE): If Smith and “The Big” Sabrowski pitch today, it will be back-to-back games.
- Tyler Rogers (TOR): If Varland is used today, it will be consecutive contests.
- Atlanta: Depending on how usage patterns occur, Suarez or Kinley could be in line, plus Reynaldo López could log a multi-inning save if needed.
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Nailing down his first save of the season, Grant Taylor fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side against Seattle’s 5-6-7 lineup pocket, on 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%).
He’s been scoreless over his last ten appearances, posting a 1.071 WHIP with 22 strikeouts against four walks (31.6 K-BB%) across 14 innings with a 14.8 percent swinging strike rate. He has tweaked his pitch mix, ditching the cutter while throwing more sliders and curves, along with introducing a sinker:
This may not be the coronation fantasy managers are hoping for, but it provided a glimpse of his upside as a closer. He may remain the “fireman” for this leverage ladder, but as long as he’s in the mix for saves, his fantasy appeal grows appreciably.
- Bryan Hudson collected his second win, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one ahead of his team’s go-ahead rally.
- Tyler Davis logged 1.2 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out four.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Seranthony Domínguez | *Grant Taylor | Bryan Hudson
*= closer-by-committee
Today’s Takeaways
Beginning with a game that was played like it was postseason, despite the fact that we are only in May.
Scott shoved, Klein finished: Anchoring the bullpen’s combined five scoreless innings, Will Klein secured his first save with a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out one against San Diego’s 8-9-1 lineup pocket, throwing 10 pitches (70 Strike%) with two whiffs.
Tanner Scott earned his first win, stranding two runners at the bottom of the seventh and yielding only a walk while striking out two across 1.1 scoreless frames. He faced the 3-4-5-6-7 hitters in his outing, deployed like it was a playoff game, not a tilt in May. He threw 24 pitches (15 strikes – 62.5 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (25 SwStr%).
Since April 4, he has recorded 17 scoreless appearances, during which he has a 1-1 record while converting four saves and four holds with a 0.588 WHIP. He’s also posted 16 strikeouts against three walks (21.7 K-BB%) in these 17 innings with a 17 percent swinging strike rate.
Blake Treinen (0.2 IP, H, BB), Alex Vesia (0.2 IP), and Edgardo Henriquez (1.1 IP, BB, K) were the other relievers involved.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Kyle Hurt
Miller’s first loss since when? Experiencing his first loss as a Padre, Mason Miller was the culprit in a rare mistake this season.
With one out, Max Muncy drew a walk after an ABS challenge, and was replaced by a pinch runner, Alex Call. During an elongated at-bat by Andy Pages, Miller had Call picked off, but threw wide of first base, letting him reach third, followed by Pages producing a go-ahead sacrifice fly. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and only induced one whiff before his removal. Miller remains an elite option at closer. Days like this happen to everyone, just not as often for a player with his talent.
Ron Marinaccio replaced him, recording an inning-ending strikeout against Teoscar Hernández. Before the ninth, Adrian Morejon worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one. Bradgely Rodriguez fired a clean seventh, striking out two. Jeremiah Estrada allowed a game-tying solo home run by Freddie Freeman, resulting in his second blown save during the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Sleepless in Seattle: Coming under fire in recent games for his moves during high-leverage situations, Dan Wilson made another tactical error last night. If Luis Castillo works a scoreless ninth, fantasy players are lauding his decision; however, he did not. Making his first relief appearance as a major leaguer, Castillo turned in two scoreless frames. With a 1-0 lead at the top of the ninth, Wilson opted to let him continue rather than bring in his closer. Andrés Muñoz, like any closer, prefers a clean sheet upon entry rather than a messy one.
At the top of the ninth, Castillo issued Munetaka Murakami a leadoff walk and hit Miguel Vargas with a pitch before retiring Colson Montgomery via strikeout, and was removed after. Muñoz took over with two runners on and one out, but a double steal put runners on second and third. With the infield in, he allowed a game-tying RBI single past Josh Naylor, followed by Andrew Benintendi’s go-ahead RBI single that deflected off Naylor’s glove, then recorded consecutive strikeouts, ending the ninth. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%) during his two-thirds of an inning, getting tagged with his second blown save. Castillo, instead of getting momentum from two scoreless frames, suffered his fifth loss while getting credit for his first hold, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and two walks with four strikeouts across his 2.1 innings. Jose A. Ferrer notched his sixth hold, stranding a runner and striking out his only batter in the sixth. Things could not have gone worse for Wilson, who burned Muñoz, using him for a second straight game, making him unavailable today.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Jose A. Ferrer | Eduard Bazardo
Vitello’s variability results in a walk-off loss: Pushing the wrong button, Tony Vitello called on Matt Gage with two runners on and two outs at the bottom of the ninth in Arizona. Ketel Marte greeted him with his first career walk-off, launching a three-run home run, resulting in Gage’s first blown save. Vitello owned the tough loss in this game recap by Shayna Rubin for The San Francisco Chronicle:
As for Gage, beneath his 1.86 ERA lurks a 5.11 SIERA as a result of his paltry 2.5 K-BB percentage through his first 19.1 innings this season. If he had been used when Miller was, maybe this would have been avoidable. However, turning Marte around when he owns a career .894 OPS against left-handed pitching versus a .781 mark facing right-handed ones did not work out.
Caleb Kilian suffered his second loss while being credited with his third hold. He logged 1.1 innings, stranding the bases loaded in the eighth. However, at the top of the ninth, he allowed a leadoff single, retired the next two batters, but an RBI single by Adrian Del Castillo, followed by Ryan Waldschmidt reaching on catcher’s interference, prompted his removal. Kilian finished with two hits and three runs (two earned) on his ledger. Erik Miller walked the bases loaded and recorded one out in the eighth, getting credit for his fifth hold. He has walked five of the eight batters faced since his activation from the injured list, which may signal he’s not healthy. Keaton Winn worked a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one for his tenth hold.
Patterns have emerged, but if a reliever does not perform up to expectations, there are ripple effects in a bullpen without defined roles. This alone should make fantasy players wary about mining saves in this bullpen. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: *Caleb Kilian | *Erik Miller | Keaton Winn
*= closer-by-committee
Santillan, the savior? Stemming the tide for a beleaguered unit, Tony Santillan answered the bell against the Phillies, retiring the side and recording two strikeouts against the top of the lineup, securing his second save. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last two appearances but had given up at least a run in the five previous. It has not been pretty, but he could stabilize this leverage ladder until Emilio Pagán returns. Sam Moll notched his second hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one. Pierce Johnson worked a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two for his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tony Santillan | *Graham Ashcraft | *Brock Burke
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday’s slate.
American League
Cleveland Guardians
Even though two batters reached with singles at the bottom of the ninth, Cade Smith bore down, striking out his last two batters, securing his AL-leading 15th save. He threw 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%) while recording all three outs via strikeout. He has been scoreless in nine of his last ten appearances, converting all 10 save chances with 19 strikeouts versus one walk (46.2 K-BB%) with a 0.843 WHIP over 10.2 innings.
- Hunter Gaddis stranded two runners despite issuing a walk during two-thirds of the eighth for his fifth hold.
- Tim Herrin hit a batter and allowed a walk while striking out one in the eighth, getting credit for his third hold.
- Erik Sabrowski notched his MLB-leading 17th hold, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless seventh.
- Colin Holderman collected his first win, tossing a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski | Colin Holderman
Houston Astros
Summoned with two outs and a runner on first, Bryan Abreu hit Luke Keaschall with a pitch before inducing a game-ending popout against Byron Buxton, preserving the one-run lead for his third save. He threw nine pitches (55.6 Strike%) and coaxed one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). He remains unscored upon through six outings this month, posting a 1.00 WHIP with five strikeouts versus three whiffs across six innings.
- Bryan King was credited with his fourth hold, allowing two hits and striking out one during a scoreless combined inning.
- Enyel De Los Santos was credited with his second hold, giving up two hits and an earned run over two-thirds of the seventh before being removed.
- Steven Okert secured his fourth hold, striking out the side at the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Bryan Abreu | *Bryan King | Enyel De Los Santos
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees
It was another white-knuckle ride during a save chance for this bullpen, though it was Camilo Doval this time. His outing began with a leadoff walk of Andrés Giménez at the top of the ninth, followed by Ernie Clement’s single putting runners on the corners. After allowing a one-out sacrifice fly by Vlad Guerrero Jr., Doval allowed another single by Daulton Varsho before a game-ending groundout by Kazuma Okamoto. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff while recording his first save of the season.
- Brent Headrick worked 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out two for his sixth hold.
- Jake Bird retired both batters, one via strikeout, for his sixth hold.
- Tim Hill notched his eighth hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless top of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Tampa Bay Rays
Shutting the door on his 13th save, Bryan Baker fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, preserving a three-run lead against the Orioles. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Through 20.1 innings, he has posted a 1.033 WHIP with 24 strikeouts versus eight walks (19.5 K-BB%).
- Casey Legumina allowed a walk and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth for his first hold.
- Ian Seymour logged 1.1 clean frames and struck out one, securing his tenth hold.
- Kevin Kelly collected his first win, giving up a hit during a scoreless sixth, ahead of his team’s go-ahead rally.
Updated Hierarchy: Bryan Baker | Ian Seymour | Kevin Kelly
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Forced into action at the bottom of the eighth, Rico Garcia had allowed two hits all season against his first 68 batters, but allowed consecutive hits, scoring his only inherited runner and putting an earned run on his ledger before recording an inning-ending strikeout. Yennier Cano hit Yandy Díaz with two outs and was removed, though he logged a scoreless combined inning and recorded a strikeout.
- Boston Red Sox: Garrett Whitlock was awarded his third win, firing a clean eighth and striking out one. Justin Slaten notched his fifth hold, striking out two during a clean bottom of the seventh.
- Detroit Tigers: Entering at the top of the sixth, Tyler Holton suffered his third loss, allowing a double and an earned run during the seventh while striking out two. Will Vest returned from the injured list with a clean eighth, striking out one. Burch Smith gave up a hit during a scoreless ninth.
- The Athletics: As the first reliever in, Justin Sterner stranded two runners while retiring his only batter at the bottom of the fourth. He was awarded his second win by the Angels’ official scorer as a result. Jack Perkins logged two scoreless frames while giving up a hit for his second hold, across the fifth and sixth innings.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Keeping his team within striking distance, Louis Varland fired a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded a strikeout while facing the Yankees’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket on six pitches, all strikes, with three whiffs.
National League
Atlanta Braves
Despite warming up for a potential save opportunity, Raisel Iglesias had to settle for extending his scoreless streak to 28.1 innings, dating back to August 30, 2025. He worked around Liam Hicks’ two-out single with a game-ending strikeout of Jakob Marsell, finishing the four-run margin, throwing 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Robert Suarez notched his sixth hold, allowing a walk during a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Dylan Lee collected his second win, scattering two hits and striking out two across 1.1 scoreless frames.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Milwaukee Brewers
Locking down his fifth save, Abner Uribe fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while facing the Cubs’ 7-8-9 batters. He threw 14 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. It’s been a tumultuous month for the closer, resulting in a 1.286 WHIP with six strikeouts versus four walks across seven innings.
- Chad Patrick stranded the bases loaded, retiring his only batter at the bottom of the eighth for his second hold.
- Aaron Ashby allowed four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Trevor Megill tossed a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts, securing his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Abner Uribe | Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby
Pittsburgh Pirates
Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the tenth, Mason Montgomery gave up JJ Wehterholt’s single, followed by a walk-off, three-run home run by Iván Herrera, putting two earned runs on his ledger without recording an out, and his first loss.
Gregory Soto kept the game tied by striking out the side at the bottom of the ninth, throwing 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) with four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%).
- Brandan Bidois allowed Alec Burleson’s solo home run and a walk while striking out one across 1.1 innings.
- Evan Sisk was tagged with his second blown save, giving up two hits, including a game-tying solo home run by Nolan Gorman, and issued two walks during his combined inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Gregory Soto | Dennis Santana | Mason Montgomery
St. Louis Cardinals
Tasked with the top of the tenth, George Soriano retired the side and recorded a strikeout while facing Pittsburgh’s 8-9-1 lineup pocket, then collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
For a third time this month, Riley O’Brien allowed multiple runs, giving up two hits, two earned runs, a hit batter, and a walk, resulting in his fourth blown save during the top of the ninth. He has shown resilience all season, but things are starting to trend toward his second half of last year with fewer strikeouts and whiffs:
- JoJo Romero secured his 14th hold, yielding a hit and striking out two during 1.1 scoreless frames, including stranding a runner during the seventh.
- Ryne Stanek was credited with his ninth hold, allowing a hit and a walk during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Washington Nationals
Called upon at the top of the ninth to protect a three-run lead, Richard Lovelady closed out his third save, retiring the side and recording a strikeout against the Mets’ 8-9-1 lineup pocket. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced three whiffs. This marked his seventh appearance in May, during which he has converted all three save chances with a 1.571 WHIP and eight strikeouts versus five walks across seven innings.
- Brad Lord logged three innings, giving up two hits, including Juan Soto’s solo home run, and struck out three.
During his Triple-A rehab outing, Clayton Beeter fired a clean seventh, striking out one one eight pitches (75 Strike%):
He should be activated this week, perhaps by Thursday.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gus Varland | *Richard Lovelady | PJ Poulin
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Benefiting from his team’s walk-off rally, Jonathan Loáisiga collected his first win after retiring the side at the top of the ninth against the Giants on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) without a whiff. Kevin Ginkel tossed a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out three.
- Chicago Cubs: In an eventual loss, Phil Maton tossed a clean top of the ninth, striking out one. Trent Thornton allowed a walk and a two-run home run by Brice Turang in the eighth. Caleb Thielbar returned from the injured list with a scoreless seventh despite giving up a hit.
- Miami Marlins: With the score tied at the top of the eighth, Calvin Faucher struggled with his command, which resulted in his third loss. He walked the bases loaded and gave up Mauricio Dubón’s go-ahead RBI infield single, followed by Matt Olson’s two-RBI single, prompting his removal.
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Statistical Credits: