Wednesday’s slate featured five reliever wins, eight saves, four losses, and one blown save. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 427 saves this season by 143 different pitchers.
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.28.2026
- Kyle Finnegan (DET): With Jansen’s groin injury and Anderson pitching three innings, it should be Finnegan in line for the save, but Hinch will play the matchups game during the late innings.
- Bryan King (HOU): De Los Santos worked 1.2 innings for the save yesterday, and Hader will be back this weekend, but it’s likely King today, though the team has played matchups in recent contests.
Vulture Save Stash for 5.29.2026
- Toronto Blue Jays: Whoever does not pitch between Varland, Rogers, and Hoffman, since they were used in Thursday’s game.
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Another day, and another unsettled bullpen could be the recurring theme for 2026. One day after the Cardinals and Pat Murphy took exception to an inning-ending strikeout celebration by Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill took over with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth on Wednesday. He shut the door on his sixth save, his first since May 15, working around Masyn Winn’s one-out single and a stolen base with a flyout, followed by a game-ending strikeout. He threw 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%), extending his scoreless streak to four.
Since his last blown save on April 14, Megill has recorded three saves and six holds with a 0.71 WHIP, an 18:2 K:BB (30.8 K-BB%), and a 16.3 swinging strike percentage. This coincides with a slight uptick in his velocities in recent outings:
According to Pat Murphy, the formerly deposed closer will continue getting save chances, but nothing is assured with roles from this game recap by JR Radcliffe of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
- Aaron Ashby collected his ninth win, tossing two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two. He’s only on pace for 27 wins now, slacker.
- Shane Drohan also worked two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one.
It sounds like save situations are tilting back toward Megill, though Uribe will be used for them when needed.
Updated Hierarchy: *Trevor Megill | *Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
*= closer-by-committee
Our takeaways highlight three matchup-based approaches from Wednesday’s slate.
Three Takeaways
Lineup lanes in Toronto: Playing match-ups during a one-run contest, Tyler Rogers secured his second save, retiring the side against the bottom third of the Marlins’ lineup. He threw seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). Louis Varland notched his fourth hold despite working around two hits while facing the 3-4-5-6 hitters. He allowed consecutive singles by Otto Lopez and Kyle Stowers, induced a groundout by Jakob Marsee, then ended the inning on a strikeout with a caught stealing at second base. Jeff Hoffman stranded a runner at the top of the sixth and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding two hits and striking out two, earning his third win. Now, fantasy players must discern whether this was an outlier or a change in leverage-usage patterns. Varland has not recorded a save since May 22. In the games since then, Hoffman and Rogers have also recorded one. Stay tuned, but when looking at Win Probability Added in this timeframe, Varland leads the way, signaling he’s the highest-leveraged reliever, not a traditional “closer.”
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Almost a combined no-hitter for the Dodgers: Preserving a three-run lead against Colorado’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket, Kyle Hurt recorded his first career save, retiring the side and striking out one. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). Dave Roberts does not care about fantasy players, only about accruing wins, especially with Shohei Ohtani on the mound after not allowing a hit. As a result, he played the lineup lanes game against the Rockies. Tanner Scott notched his fifth hold, allowing a two-out single by Tyler Freeman, losing the combined no-hit bid, and striking out two while facing the 9-1-2-3 hitters, though Colorado countered with two right-handed pinch hitters. This extends his scoreless streak to 11 games, during which he’s posted a 0.53 WHIP with 18 strikeouts against two walks (40 K-BB%) through 11.1 innings. Will Klein tossed a clean seventh for his sixth hold. Usage patterns like this frustrate fantasy managers in 10 or 12-team leagues, but it’s beyond our control.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Will Klein
De Los Santos to the rescue: In an effort to optimize matchups, Bryan King took over at the bottom of the eighth, lined up against three left-handed hitters. He allowed a solo home run by Joc Pederson, walked pinch-hitter Sam Haggarty, and recorded a strikeout against Brandon Nimmo, then was removed in favor of Enyel De Los Santos. He stranded the inherited runner, retiring Josh Jung on a popout, then Jake Burger on an inning-ending strikeout. De Los Santos returned for the ninth and retired the side with two more strikeouts sandwiched around a groundout for his fourth save, and his first since April 22. He threw 23 pitches (16 strikes – 69.6 Strike%) and produced six whiffs (26.1 SwStr%). King gets credit for his fifth hold. This may be a moot point soon, though the team will not overwork its closer:
Josh Hader pitched on Wednesday during a Triple-A game, giving up three hits, including a home run, and two unearned runs while facing seven hitters:
He may be reserving his velocity for a potential return on Sunday, but he averaged 95.5 miles per hour with his sinker last season. Through eight innings across two levels of the minors, he owns a 0.75 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against one walk (31.3 K-BB%), while allowing two home runs.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Bryan King | *Enyel De Los Santos | Bryan Abreu
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Cleveland Guardians
Taking over with a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, Cade Smith allowed consecutive singles by Curtis Mead and CJ Abrams, followed by a sacrifice fly, putting an earned run on his ledger for the first time since May 8. However, Smith bore down, retiring the next two batters via strikeout, closing out his MLB-leading 19th save. He threw 23 pitches (14 strikes – 60.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s converted his last 16 save chances, posting a 0.962 WHIP with 28 strikeouts against two walks (38.8 K-BB%) across 17.2 innings.
- Tim Herrin notched his sixth hold, retiring the side and striking out two during the top of the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Tim Herrin
Detroit Tigers
Forced into action with a runner on and two outs, Brenan Hanifee issued a walk before inducing a game-ending groundout to first base, sealing a combined shutout. Kenley Jansen had trouble with his landing on the mound and left after calling out the training staff following a four-pitch walk to Mike Trout.
- Kyle Finnegan tossed a clean eighth on 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
- Drew Anderson collected his second win, taking over at the top of the fifth and logging three clean frames while striking out three. He threw 35 pitches (26 strikes – 74.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs. He’s been scoreless over his last four appearances, posting a 0.585 WHIP with 15 strikeouts versus four walks (22.9 K-BB%) across 13.2 innings.
If Jansen required an injured-list stint, A.J. Hinch may bring back his matchup-based approach, making it tough to name one reliever for fantasy players to pivot toward.
Projected Hierarchy: *Kyle Finnegan | *Will Vest | *Drew Anderson
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Wrapping up a nine-run victory, Anthony Nunez tossed a clean top of the ninth, retiring the Rays’ top of the lineup on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with one whiff. Andrew Kittredge let one of four inherited runners score, taking over for an injured Yennier Cano, with a walk charged to Cano, then retired the next three batters via strikeout.
- Minnesota Twins: Multiple rough outing alerts do not bode well for any bullpen. Eric Orze let both inherited runners score at the bottom of the fifth and over 1.2 innings, allowed five hits and three earned runs while striking out one. Travis Adams took over during the seventh, giving up four hits, including two home runs, five earned runs, and two walks while recording two strikeouts.
- New York Yankees: Closing out a combined shutout in Kansas City, Camilo Doval retired the side on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with one whiff. Fernando Cruz stranded a runner in the seventh and logged 1.1 clean frames.
- Texas Rangers: After Chris Martin navigated around two hits for a scoreless seventh, Tyler Alexander suffered his first loss, giving up a solo home run by Yordan Alvarez, issuing a walk, and letting an unearned run score on a sacrifice bunt on his throwing error. He was removed after one-third of the eighth. Gavin Collyer replaced him, stranding a runner and working 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out two.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
A crafty veteran closer carved up the Giants’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, retiring them in order and recording a strikeout for his 14th save. Alliteration aside, Paul Sewald threw 12 strikes (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) in this outing.
He has converted 14 of 15 save opportunities this season, posting a 0.75 WHIP with 24 strikeouts against six walks (24.7 K-BB%) through 21.1 innings.
- Kevin Ginkel had an adventurous eighth. Willy Adames was awarded a double on a popup that was dropped, and Luis Arraez singled, with the runner thrown out at home, followed by Arraez being picked off at second. Ginkel secured his fourth hold despite allowing two hits.
- Brandyn Garcia stranded a runner and struck out pinch-hitter Harrison Bader for his fourth hold.
- Ryan Thompson recorded two outs and issued a walk, prompting his removal and earning him credit for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Taylor Clarke
Miami Marlins
In an eventual one-run defeat, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s been scoreless over his last three outings.
- John King tossed a clean seventh and recorded a strikeout.
- Andrew Nardi suffered his third loss, allowing Kazuma Okamoto’s go-ahead solo home run during the sixth. Nardi tossed 1.1 innings and recorded two strikeouts.
- Michael Petersen gave up a hit, an earned run, and two walks (one intentional) during two-thirds of the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Anthony Bender
New York Mets
Walking the line and creating a pressure-packed top of the ninth, Devin Williams issued Eugenio Suárez and Nathaniel Lowe, recorded a strikeout of Spencer Steer, then walked P.J. Higgins to load the bases. Although fantasy managers do not appreciate the white-knuckle ride, Williams bore down, striking out Dane Myers and Blake Dunn, securing his eighth save in a no-contact appearance. He threw a season-high 34 pitches (21 strikes – 61.8 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (20.6 SwStr%), walking and striking out three.
Now the fantasy community hopes he gets over the recent bout of nibbling and attacks hitters. It’s a mindset issue, not stuff.
- Luke Weaver logged 1.1 scoreless frames, stranding a runner in the seventh and giving up a hit with one strikeout for his seventh hold.
- Brooks Raley worked 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one, notching his ninth hold.
- Tobias Myers gave up two hits and an earned run during two-thirds innings, getting credit for his third hold.
- Jonah Tong collected his first win, working as the “bulk reliever,” tossing 3.2 innings, allowing three hits and four walks while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Philadelphia Phillies
Closing out a combined shutout, José Alvarado filled in capably, allowing a one-out single by Xander Bogaerts with a strikeout and a game-ending popout, securing his first save this season. He threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%) while striking out two.
- Jonathan Bowlan notched his first hold, retiring the side in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | Orion Kerkering
Washington Nationals
Operating in a bullpen without defined roles creates chaos, and Richard Lovelady entered at the bottom of the fifth with a runner on and two outs, despite recording a save in two of his previous four outings. He allowed three consecutive singles, including a two-RBI one by Angel Martínez, scoring an inherited runner and putting an earned run on his ledger, finishing with three hits and a walk over one-third of the inning.
- Orlando Ribalta allowed a hit during a scoreless sixth.
- Clayton Beeter worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless seventh.
- Gus Varland retired the side in the eighth inning of the eventual one-run loss.
Tread lightly when mining saves from this leverage ladder, even with the team’s recent surge in the standings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Richard Lovelady | *Gus Varland | *Clayton Beeter
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Entering at the bottom of the sixth, Jacob Webb retired the side while striking out the side against Pittsburgh’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket, then collected his first win following his team’s six-run outburst at the top of the seventh. Phil Maton gave up a hit and a walk, striking out one during a scoreless seventh.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Continuing the team’s right-handed setup reliever issues, Yohan Ramírez suffered his second loss, giving up three hits, including Ian Happ’s go-ahead three-run home run, and hitting a batter while recording one out at the top of the seventh. Justin Lawrence let his only inherited runner score, giving up two hits, two runs (one earned), and two walks with three strikeouts across his 1.2 innings. Dennis Santana logged 1.1 scoreless innings, issuing two walks (one intentional) and striking out one.
- San Francisco Giants: Keeping his team within one run during an eventual defeat, Caleb Kilian fired two clean frames and recorded a strikeout on 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%). Matt Gage let one of two inherited runners score, mishandled an infield grounder, followed by a go-ahead sacrifice fly, and a strikeout during two-thirds of the seventh.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Called on with runners on the corners and no outs at the bottom of the eighth, JoJo Romero recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, then struck out Andrew Vaughn. However, with two outs, Christian Yelich delivered a game-tying RBI single, followed by an error by Masyn Winn, scoring the go-ahead run in unearned fashion. Romero was charged with his second blown save, giving up a hit and striking out one, letting both inherited runners score
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