Closer Monkey’s Leverage Ledger | 6.3.2026

Tuesday’s slate featured six reliever wins, nine saves, five losses, and one blown save. Here are the saves in condensed form: 

There have been 460 saves this season by 150 different pitchers. 

As for the vulture options during today’s slate: 

Vulture Save Options for 6.3.2026

  • Daniel Lynch IV (KC): Erceg needs a day, or a week off. Lynch has seen some regression in recent results, but should be in play for a save chance if the opportunity presents itself in Cincinnati. 
  • Will Vest (DET): He may need one more day of rest, but he recorded the last save for the Tigers on Monday. 
  • Ryne Stanek (STL): O’Brien threw 32 pitches during his loss last night, and Soriano has appeared in back-to-back games. 
  • Minnesota: Gómez has worked in consecutive contests, so it may depend on lineup lanes in the late innings. Coin flip between Cody Lawyerson and Taylor Rogers. Good luck. 

Vulture Save Stashes for 6.4.2026

  • Jacob Webb (CHC): If Palencia actually gets a save opportunity today, it will be back-to-back appearances. 
  • Bryan King (HOU): If Hader pitches today, he will not work back-to-back contests often. 
  • Anthony Nunez (BAL): If Garcia and Kittredge are used today, it will be consecutive contests for both. 
  • Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT): If Soto works in today’s game, it will be two straight. 
  • Philadelphia: If Duran pitches today, whoever does not pitch between Keller, Kerkering, and Alvarado will be in play for Thursday. 

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.

Percolating Hot Seats

Kansas City Royals – Tasked with a tied game at the bottom of the tenth, John Schreiber suffered his third loss, recording a strikeout, followed by a walk-off RBI-single by Blake Dunn.

Lucas Erceg opened the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead and gave up Will Benson’s leadoff home run, along with a walk, while striking out two, resulting in his MLB-leading sixth blown save. He has not converted his last three save chances, and only one of his last five since May 15. Beginning with his illustrator: 

Followed by his results in this outing: 

It was not a terrible pitch by any means, but he’s going through some tough times during high-leverage situations. 

  • Matt Strahm allowed a solo home run by Spencer Steer while collecting his ninth hold during the bottom of the eighth. 

Even if the team has not acknowledged a change in leverage roles, something has to give until Carlos Estévez can return, but he’s only in the beginning phases of his throwing protocols. 

Projected Hierarchy: *Daniel Lynch IV | *Lucas Erceg | *Matt Strahm

*= closer-by-committee

Before running to the waiver wire, Daniel Lynch IV had a strong start to the season, but has regressed slightly when comparing his first two months: 

He should be in the mix for save chances, but this is not a deep or talented bullpen, which is why Erceg continues getting chances despite recent struggles. From the game recap by Jaylon Thompson of The Kansas City Star: 

If Matt Quattraro makes an announcement about role changes, it will be shared. 

St. Louis Cardinals – Taking over a tied contest at the top of the ninth, Riley O’Brien suffered his third loss, giving up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two. He has allowed at least a run in four consecutive appearances, multiple runs in two. He threw 32 pitches (19 strikes – 59.4 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (9.4 SwStr%). His illustrator: 

And, his results: 

There has been migration to the mean in May, which continued in this outing: 

His sinker has been the root of the problem, and all three hits last night were against the pitch: 

  • George Soriano fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
  • Gordon Graceffo let one of two inherited runners score, retiring two batters, one via strikeout, in the seventh.
  • JoJo Romero gave up a hit and an earned run while striking out one across two-thirds of an inning.

For now, though, O’Brien will be on the “hot seat” in the fantasy community, even if his manager is not there yet: 

Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano

For those in stash mode, Soriano is the preferred target if roster space allows. 

Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday’s slate. 

American League

Baltimore Orioles – Sealing a two-run lead with a clean bottom of the ninth in Boston, Rico Garcia nailed down his fourth save. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. It’s his first save since May 10, and he’s been scoreless in 15 of 16 appearances since April 26, recording a 0.768 WHIP with 17 strikeouts versus five walks (23.1 K-BB%) through 14.1 innings.

  • Andrew Kittredge notched his second hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.

Updated Hierarchy: Rico Garcia | Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano

Detroit TigersTaking the baton from Jack Flaherty and finishing a combined shutout, Enmanuel De Jesus fired four clean frames while striking out four, closing out his first career save. He threw 35 pitches (27 strikes – 77.1 Strike%) and generated eight whiffs (22.9 SwStr%). This extends his scoreless streak to a modest three games, spanning 6.2 innings.

Hierarchy Remains: *Will Vest | *Kyle Finnegan | *Drew Anderson

*= closer-by-committee

Minnesota TwinsAlthough his usage patterns have not been typical of a closer, Yoendrys Gómez continues getting pivotal outs for the Twins. He stranded his only inherited runner with an inning-ending strikeout at the top of the eighth, then retired the side in the ninth, locking down his fourth save. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. He’s been scoreless in his last four contests, and this marked his first save since May 26. If one needs a third reliever, there are worse options than him right now. 

  • Anthony Banda gave up a hit and a walk while striking out three across a scoreless combined inning.
  • Andrew Morris let one of two inherited runners score, giving up a hit, hitting a batter, and striking out two during two-thirds of the seventh.

Hierarchy Remains: *Yoendrys Gómez | *Andrew Morris | *Anthony Banda

Texas Rangers – Extending his team’s win streak to five, Jakob Junis capped his team’s rally with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, allowing a hit and striking out one for his fourth save. He last earned a save on April 12, but was called upon with Jacob Latz unavailable. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).

  • Cal Quantrill was awarded his third win, retiring his only batter and stranding a runner in the eighth.
  • Jalen Beeks logged 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two.

Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Chris Martin

The Athletics – Another installment of the amorphous A’s featured Hogan Harris taking over with a one-run lead and two runners on at the bottom of the ninth. He coaxed a game-ending flyout by Ian Happ, securing his fifth save and his first since May 20, needing only two pitches, both strikes. This extended his scoreless streak to six games, but he owns a 6:5 K:BB across his last five innings.

  • Scott Barlow opened the ninth, issuing Nico Hoerner a walk, followed by Pete Crow-Armstrong’s single, then rebounded by striking out Alex Bregman and retiring Seiya Suzuki before being removed. Barlow was credited with his ninth hold.
  • Justin Sterner retired the side in the eighth, notching his tenth hold.

Hierarchy Remains: *Hogan Harris | *Mark Leiter Jr. | *Scott Barlow

*= closer-by-committee

Quick Hits

  • Cleveland Guardians: Forced into action at the bottom of the fifth, Colin Holderman collected his fourth win, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless appearance. Tim Herrin worked a clean sixth, striking out one for his eighth hold. Hunter Gaddis allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh, securing his eighth hold.
  • New York Yankees: Was it coincidental that Camilo Doval struggled in an eventual loss on the same day the team announced Carlos Lagrange would start getting ready for the majors as a reliever? Doval allowed four hits and three earned runs while striking out two at the top of the eighth. Those in dynasty formats should have him stashed for potential leverage appearances by the All-Star break. 
  • Tampa Bay Rays: Used in a lopsided shutout loss, Bryan Baker retired the side at the top of the eighth on 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) without a whiff, facing the Tigers’ 8-9-1 batters. He’s been scoreless over his last seven outings, converting all five save opportunities. 

National League

Atlanta Braves – Despite allowing Ernie Clement’s leadoff single and Kazuma Okamoto’s one-out hit, Raisel Iglesias closed out his 11th save by inducing consecutive pop-outs, preserving a one-run win over the Blue Jays. He threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced one whiff in this outing. He’s converted 29 consecutive save chances since July 28, 2025.

  • Robert Suarez stranded a runner in the seventh and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out two for his ninth hold.

Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee

Cincinnati RedsAfter stranding the “courtesy runner” at the top of the tenth, allowing a walk and striking out one, Brock Burke garnered his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 19 pitches (10 strikes – 52.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%).

  • Zach Maxwell kept his team within one run, working a scoreless top of the ninth, walking and striking out one.
  • Sam Moll worked a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk and striking out two.
  • Tejay Antone tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a walk and striking out two.

Hierarchy Remains: *Tony Santillan | *Brock Burke | *Sam Moll

*= closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – Sealing a one-run lead in Arizona, Tanner Scott navigated around Ildemao Vargas’ one-out single by retiring Geraldo Perdomo on a bunt attempt and inducing a game-ending groundout against Pavin Smith, securing his sixth save. He threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff while recording a strikeout. Since April 27, he has been scoreless in 13 of 14 appearances, posting a 0.628 WHIP with 20 strikeouts against two walks (34 K-BB%), a 1-1 record, and converting five of six save chances.

  • Will Klein let one of two inherited runners score in the seventh and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out one for his seventh hold.
  • Kyle Hurt had a rough outing, allowing a hit, three earned runs, and three walks while striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh.
  • Edgardo Henriquez gave up a hit during a scoreless sixth for his fourth hold.
  • Blake Treinen stranded a runner and issued a walk during one-third of the fifth, but was awarded his second win.

Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Will Klein

Milwaukee Brewers – While warming up for a potential save chance, Trevor Megill still pitched the ninth, but in a non-save capacity, sealing a five-run lead against the Giants. He retired the side and recorded a strikeout on 10 pitches, all strikes, producing three whiffs. He remains unscored upon over his last seven appearances, posting a 0.286 WHIP with nine strikeouts and no walks (39.1 K-BB%) across seven innings.

  • Abner Uribe let his only inherited runner score, giving up three hits and an earned run on his ledger during the top of the eighth, resulting in his seventh hold.
  • Aaron Ashby was credited with his second hold, giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out one across his 1.1-inning outing.

Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby

Philadelphia Phillies – Shutting the door on his 13th save, Jhoan Duran fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out the side. He dispensed of the Padres’ 5-6-7 hitters on 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last five outings, securing a save in each. On the season, he’s converted all of his save opportunities, posting a 0.911 WHIP with 29 strikeouts versus five walks (33.8 K-BB%) through 18.2 innings.

  • Brad Keller worked around two hits for a scoreless eighth, notching his ninth hold.
  • Orion Kerkering allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh, securing his fifth hold.
  • José Alvarado retired the side in the sixth and collected his second win as a result. 

Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | Orion Kerkering

Pittsburgh Pirates – Following an RBI single by Yordan Alvarez and with two runners on, Gregory Soto took over in a save situation. He recorded strikeouts against Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes on seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (42.9 SwStr%), preserving the four-run win in Houston for his eighth save. He has been scoreless in his last six appearances, posting a win and converting four saves with a 0.33 WHIP while registering eight strikeouts versus two walks (28.6 K-BB%).

  • Dennis Santana allowed three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the ninth, creating the save chance.
  • Wilber Dotel notched his second hold, logging three scoreless frames, issuing two walks and striking out three.

Hierarchy Remains: Gregory Soto | Mason Montgomery | Carmen Mlodzinski

Quick Hits

  • Chicago Cubs: Keeping his team within striking distance, Daniel Palencia fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout against the A’s 5-6-7 hitters. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). Hoby Milner logged 1.2 scoreless frames, striking out one. 
  • Miami Marlins: As the first reliever in, John King collected his second win, retiring all five batters across the third and fourth innings.
  • New York Mets: Deployed as the “bulk follower,” Jonah Tong suffered his first loss, giving up five hits, five runs (four earned), and two walks while striking out four across 3.1 innings in Seattle. 
  • Washington Nationals: Working as the “bulk follower,” Miles Mikolas suffered his fifth loss, giving up six hits, three home runs, six earned runs, and two walks while striking out four. 

Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well. 

Statistical Credits:

Fangraphs.com

Baseball-Reference.com

BaseballSavant.com

BrooksBaseball.net