Sunday’s slate featured eight reliever wins, six saves, eight losses, and seven blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 493 saves this season by 160 different pitchers.
As for the vulture options during today’s slate, I do not feel great about any of them:
Vulture Save Options for 6.8.2026
- Jeff Hoffman (TOR): Varland and Rogers have appeared in back-to-back games.
- Dylan Smith (SF): Winn, Miller, and Kilian have pitched in consecutive contests. This could change if the team calls up reinforcements from Triple-A.
- Tejay Antone (CIN): Santillan and Moll have been used in two straight games.
Vulture Save Stashes for 6.9.2026
- Camilo Doval (NYY): If Bednar and Cruz are used tonight, it will be back-to-back games.
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Seattle Mariners
Handed a one-run lead in Detroit, Andrés Muñoz suffered his fourth loss and a fifth blown save in a walk-off. His outing began with a popout, followed by consecutive walks, and a groundout putting runners at second and third with two outs. However, Kevin McGonigle laced a two-RBI single to right field, scoring both runners. Muñoz threw 19 pitches (8 strikes – 42.1 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and two walks across two-thirds of the ninth. He’s allowed at least a run in three of his last four appearances and could be at a tipping point for future save chances in the near term.
- Eduard Bazardo notched his 12th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Gabe Speier stranded a runner, retiring all three batters in the seventh, striking out one for his seventh hold.
- Cooper Criswell gave up three hits and two earned runs without recording an out in the seventh.
- Jose A. Ferrer issued two walks and stranded a runner during one-third of the sixth for his eighth hold.
It’s been a rough patch for Muñoz, and he has five blown saves across his first 25 appearances compared to seven in 2025 through 64 games. Although discussed previously in our posts, his four-seam fastball remains an obstacle, illustrated in yesterday’s walk-off loss:
When delving into his splits by pitch, the struggles with the four-seam and sinker are highlighted versus last season:
There has also been an increase his hard hit percentage while producing fewer groundballs when viewing his batted ball data trends this season:
This puts Muñoz on the hot seat, and if he’s removed from the closer role, a matchups-based approach could ensue, making Matt Brash an intriguing stash play. However, he will not be capable of many back-to-back outings. Postgame comments by Dan Wilson did not indicate any changes in bullpen roles, but this must be monitored closely moving forward. Hope lies in Muñoz’s 2.50 SIERA, whereas his 4.48 xERA hints that this may be as good as it gets.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Jose A. Ferrer
Three Takeaways
A walk-off benefits Will: After working a scoreless top of the ninth while giving up a hit and striking out one, Will Vest collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. He has been scoreless in three of his last four, recording a win and a save while posting a 1.285 WHIP with six strikeouts against one walk (26.3 K-BB%) over his last 4.2 innings.
It’s been a nice rebound for him, but his window may be closing this weekend:
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Vest | *Kyle Finnegan | Drew Anderson
*= closer-by-committee
Lucas or Lange? Forced into action with a two-run lead and one out at the bottom of the ninth, Lucas Erceg worked into, and then out of, trouble while holding on for his 12th save. He entered with a runner on second and no outs. After retiring Luke Keachall on a lineout to center, Victor Caratini singled, scoring the inherited runner, and Tristan Gray singled to the opposite field before Erceg induced a game-ending flyout. He finished with two hits while throwing 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last two appearances, snapping a streak of three consecutive blown saves across his previous three games. Beck Way created the chaos, allowing three hits, including Josh Bell’s three-run home run, and a walk during his one-third of the ninth.
Those seeking defined roles will not like Matt Quattraro’s responses on MLB.com:
Recent usage patterns have favored Lange, but this week may be telling on how the team prefers handling save situations:
Updated Hierarchy: *Alex Lange | *Lucas Erceg | *Daniel Lynch IV
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta called on Didier? In an intriguing move, Didier Fuentes was called on at the top of the ninth with a one-run lead against Pittsburgh. He allowed Brandon Lowe’s leadoff double, recorded a strikeout, followed by a single by Jake Mangum, putting runners at the corners. With one out, Fuentes bore down, inducing a popout by Jared Triolo and a game-ending strikeout of Endy Rodríguez for his first career save. He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. And this factoid is dubious considering the other reliever named was the focal point of our lead-in:
Tyler Kinley worked around a walk for a scoreless eighth, securing his ninth hold. Reynaldo López collected his third win, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two across 1.1 scoreless frames.
After the game, this note was shared by Mark Bowman:
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
American League
New York Yankees – Closing out a five-run lead, David Bednar retired the side and recorded a strikeout against Boston’s 4-5-6 hitters, throwing 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last five appearances, recording a 0.80 WHIP with five strikeouts versus two whiffs across five innings.
- Tim Hill collected his third win, working a clean eighth ahead of his team’s five-run outburst at the bottom of the frame.
- Brent Headrick stranded a runner and allowed a hit during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Fernando Cruz recorded an out in the sixth, stranding a runner, and recorded an out in the seventh, giving up a hit before being removed.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Camilo Doval
Toronto Blue Jays – King Louis Varland notched his 11th save, stranding a runner in the eighth and working 1.1 scoreless frames despite giving up a hit while recording two strikeouts. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last 18 appearances, posting a 0.871 WHIP with 24 strikeouts against five walks (24.1 K-BB%) while recording a win, nine saves, and a hold in them.
- Tyler Rogers worked 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one for his 14th hold.
- Connor Seabold allowed a hit and a walk during one-third of the seventh, but was credited with his first hold.
- Adam Macko collected his second win, tossing a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: An impressive outing by Tyron Guerrero. He retired both batters, one via strikeout, during two-thirds of the seventh in the Bronx. Justin Slaten struggled in the eighth, allowing three hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out two across two-thirds of the inning, getting tagged with his third loss.
- Chicago White Sox: Things went awry at the bottom of the fifth and continued in the sixth. Tyler Davis was tagged with his third loss and first blown save, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk with one strikeout during his combined inning. Bryan Hudson gave up two hits, two earned runs, and two walks during his two-thirds of an inning.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Taking over at the bottom of the sixth, Garrett Cleavinger suffered his second loss and a second blown save, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two. A leadoff walk, a triple, and a sacrifice fly turned the contest.
National League
Chicago Cubs – Tasked with the top of the tenth, Trent Thornton let the “courtesy runner” score on a leadoff RBI single by Matt Chapman and issued a walk, resulting in his second loss on the unearned run.
Daniel Palencia fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) with three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). He remains stuck at three saves, last recording one on May 14, eight appearances ago.
- Jacob Webb retired both batters, one via strikeout, at the top of the eighth.
- Javier Assad logged 6.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out six after taking over for an injured Jameson Taillon.
Hierarchy Remains: Daniel Palencia | Jacob Webb | Caleb Thielbar
Cincinnati Reds – Pressed into duty with three runners on and no outs at the bottom of the eighth, Tony Santillan let an inherited runner score in a fielder’s choice error, then retired the next three batters on forceouts at home before inducing an inning-ending flyout by Lars Nootbar.
- Sam Moll did not record an out in the eighth, giving up two hits, two unearned runs, and a walk, resulting in his fifth loss.
- Brock Burke worked a scoreless seventh while issuing a walk.
- Chris Paddack was tagged with a blown save, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and striking out two across two innings.
- Caleb Ferguson tossed a scoreless fourth, walking and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tony Santillan | *Brock Burke | *Tejay Antone
*= closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Handed a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Anthony Bender filled in capably, navigating around Jonathan Aranda’s leadoff single with a groundout, a flyout, and a game-ending strikeout of Cedric Mullins for his second save. He threw 24 pitches (70.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (8.3 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last three outings.
- Michael Petersen retired the side and recorded two strikeouts for his eighth hold during the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Anthony Bender
San Francisco Giants – With a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Dylan Smith took over against the Cubs and recorded his first career save. He recorded a strikeout against Michael Conforto, then retired Michael Busch and Alex Bregman on infield popouts. Smith threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff in this outing.
- Keaton Winn collected his second win, working around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Through 28 games, he’s posted a 0.90 WHIP with 25 strikeouts against nine walks (14.2 K-BB%) across 30 innings.
- Erik Miller navigated around a hit and a walk with a strikeout during a scoreless eighth.
- Caleb Kilian tossed a clean seventh, striking out one. JT Brubaker gave up a hit during a scoreless sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Keaton Winn | Erik Miller | Caleb Kilian
St. Louis Cardinals – Finishing off a sweep of the Reds, Riley O’Brien worked around a one-out double by Tyler Stephenson by retiring the next two batters, notching his 17th save. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). It’s been a tumultuous stretch for the closer; he’s converted nine of 11 save chances, while suffering two losses since May 2, with a 1.571 WHIP and 14 strikeouts versus six walks (12.3 K-BB%) across 14 innings.
- Ryne Stanek collected his second win, stranding a runner and retiring both batters, one via strikeout, in the eighth.
- JoJo Romero gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of an inning.
- George Soriano suffered his second blown save, allowing three hits, including a game-tying solo home run by Matt McLain, and struck out one during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: An ugly outing by Jaden Hill resulted in his second loss and a second blown save. He gave up four hits, five earned runs, and two walks while retiring one batter at the top of the sixth against Milwaukee.
- New York Mets: As the “bulk follower,” Sean Manaea collected his first win, logging four innings, giving up four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out three.
- Philadelphia Phillies: After Tim Mayza let both inherited runners score at the top of the fifth, José Alvarado worked a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out two. As a result, he was awarded his third win, even though the Phillies took the lead at the bottom of the fifth.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Entering at the bottom of the seventh, Evan Sisk suffered his third blown save, letting all three inherited runners score on a double by Michael A. Harris II. Sisk finished with a hit and a strikeout over his 1.2 scoreless innings.
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Statistical Credits: