Wednesday’s slate featured nine reliever wins, one accompanied by a blown save, seven saves, seven losses, and nine blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 512 saves this season by 165 different pitchers.
As for the vulture options during today’s slate, again, only if you must:
Vulture Save Options for 6.11.2026
- Lucas Erceg (KC): If he’s available in your league, Lange, Lynch IV, and Schreiber have pitched in consecutive contests.
- Jaden Hill (COL): Senzatela and Bernardino have worked in back-to-back games, but Juan Mejia or Seth Halvorsen could also be in play.
Grant Taylor is also an option, but he may not be considered a steam option by many. If he’s available, he’s the preferred streamer.
Vulture Save Stashes for 6.12.2026
- Ryan Rolison (CHC): If Palencia, Webb, Maton, and Thielbar are used again, it will be two straight games for each in Coors.
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The Athletics
Shutting the door on his first career save, Elvis Alvarado fired a clean top of the ninth while recording two strikeouts, preserving a one-run lead against the Brewers. He threw 14 pitches (85.7 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%) facing the top of the lineup.
All Elvis encore jokes in Las Vegas aside, he has been dominant the past two days, retiring six of seven batters faced via strikeout, throwing only 34 pitches with a 20.6 percent swinging strike rate. The most impressive part of these two appearances, his robust 76.5 strike percentage, attacking hitters, and throwing 26 strikes. Before being demoted in April, he posted a 60.4 percent strike rate and issued seven walks (15.9 BB%). In his three since his promotion on June 6, zero walks with nine strikeouts (60 K-BB%) and 57 strikes of 78 pitches (73.1 Strike%). Is this a hot streak or the precipice of a breakout?
- Hogan Harris navigated around two hits with an inning-ending double-play groundout for his tenth hold.
- Scott Barlow stranded a runner in the seventh, giving up a hit and striking out one during his two-thirds of an inning, collecting his second win.
It’s tough going all in on any A’s reliever, as this chart illustrates:
However, if Alvarado remains in attack mode with his velocity and arsenal, he’s the closest option to a closer on the roster, and he has his manager’s attention:
Those seeking upside can take a chance on Elvis, but monitor his command moving forward. He’s capable, but he’s burned fantasy players before, though we can’t help falling in love with his arsenal. I will see myself out.
Updated Hierarchy: *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado | *Justin Sterner
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Committee in Chicago: Preserving his team’s 14th one-run win, Bryan Hudson worked around a one-out walk by Eli White with consecutive pop-outs against Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies for his third save. He threw 16 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. Despite allowing multiple runs in his two previous appearances, Hudson was deployed in a matchups-based approach effectively.
Seranthony Domínguez retired the side against Atlanta’s 5-6-7 batters, featuring only one left-handed hitter, on 14 pitches (64.3 Strike%) with one whiff while recording his second hold. He’s been used in the seventh or eighth inning in his last four outings. He last recorded a save on May 25 and has entered a game during the eighth inning on six occasions, including three times since May 30. He’s a tough hold in shallower formats, unless being in a timeshare makes sense for your roster. Time will tell if this is a result of the competition or a changing of the guard in the late innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Seranthony Domínguez | *Bryan Hudson
*= closer-by-committee
Patience running thin for Palencia? Before covering his outing on Wednesday, the Cubs are amid a rough patch:
As for last night, with the score tied at the bottom of the ninth, Daniel Palencia suffered his first loss. His outing started with a leadoff walk, a leverage no-no, especially in Coors Field. Brett Sullivan produced a single, though Seiya Suzuki took a circuitous route on a potentially catchable fly ball, followed by a walk-off RBI single by Sterlin Thompson past a drawn-in infield. He has allowed a run in two of his last three appearances and has not secured a save since May 14.
His struggles with traffic coincide with his team’s slide in the standings. Since May 8, Palencia owns a 1.715 WHIP, allowing 13 hits with an inflated .393 BABIP and 10 strikeouts versus three walks (16.3 K-BB%) through 9.1 innings. Fantasy players understand the upside he flashed during the WBC, but that iteration of the closer has not resurfaced since his stint on the injured list. Better days lie ahead, but his rest-of-the-season WHIP projections are between 1.21 and 1.28, which begs the question, is this as good as it gets?
Hierarchy Remains: Daniel Palencia | Jacob Webb | Caleb Thielbar
An epic Nationals meltdown: According to this note on X by @ESPNInsights, the Giants are only the second team in the last 20 years to trail by eight or more runs after the seventh inning and win. An ugly finish by the bullpen, blowing an eight-run lead at the bottom of the eighth. It started with Paxton Schultz working a scoreless seventh, navigating around a hit and a walk. However, when he returned for the eighth, he allowed consecutive home runs, back-to-back walks, and an RBI double, prompting his removal. Orlando Ribalta replaced him, letting both inherited runners score on a groundout and a wild pitch, while retiring all three batters, one via strikeout. He warrants attention for more high-leverage work moving forward.
Gus Varland took over at the bottom of the ninth with a four-run lead, giving up doubles by his first two batters faced and walking Rafael Devers, forcing him from the game. He was charged with three earned runs without recording an out. Mitchell Parker inherited two runners, allowed a single by Jung Hoo Lee, followed by a walk-off grand slam by Bryce Eldridge, resulting in his third loss and fifth blown save. All told, the Nationals relievers allowed eight hits, 10 earned runs, a walk, and three home runs across two-plus innings, since no outs were recorded in the ninth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Clayton Beeter | *Orlando Ribalta | *Brad Lord
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday’s slate.
American League
Kansas City Royals – Tasked with the top of the tenth, Alex Lange struggled with his command, resulting in his third loss. He induced a leadoff flyout by Evan Carter but allowed a go-ahead RBI double by Elias Díaz, then walked Nicky Lopez, and an infield single by Jake Burger loaded the bases. After striking out Corey Seager, Lange walked in a second run while facing Josh Jung before an inning-ending lineout by Brandon Nimmo. He threw 32 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
This snapped his nine-game scoreless streak.
- John Schreiber tossed a clean top of the ninth, striking out one.
- Daniel Lynch IV suffered his second blown save, letting one of three inherited runners score on a sacrifice fly and issuing a walk during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Lucas Erceg had another rough outing, giving up two walks and an earned run while striking out one, but was credited with his second hold.
- Matt Strahm was tagged with his second blown save, allowing two hits, including a game-tying solo home run by Jake Burger.
Updated Hierarchy: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | Lucas Erceg
Minnesota Twins – Presented a three-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Yoendrys Gómez held on for his fifth save. However, his outing began with Weneel Pérez’s leadoff single, followed by a flyout, then a walk, and a two-out RBI single by Dillon Dingler, before a game-ending strikeout of Riley Greene. Gómez threw 27 pitches (15 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs while giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk with one strikeout. This snapped his six-game scoreless streak, but his five saves lead the team.
- Anthony Banda logged 1.2 scoreless frames, walking and striking out one while stranding two runners in the seventh for his ninth hold.
- Travis Adams was credited with his first hold, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out three across 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Andrew Morris gave up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out three during the fifth inning.
- Taylor Rogers collected his second win, retiring the side and striking out two during the fourth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Yoendrys Gómez | *Travis Adams | *Anthony Banda
*= closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays – Following a dominant outing by Drew Rasmussen, the B-side of the Rays’ bullpen struggled. Cole Sulser only recorded one out at the top of the eighth, allowing a solo home run (Chad Durbin), two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
- Steven Matz replaced him, giving up two hits, including a three-run home run by Cedanne Rafaela, putting two earned runs on his ledger during one-third of the inning.
- Casey Legumina retired his only batter for his third hold.
Garrett Cleavinger closed out the win, serving up another solo shot by Durbin and issuing a walk while striking out one for his second save. He threw 23 pitches (14 strikes – 60.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs during his first save since May 12.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Texas Rangers – Reserved for the bottom of the tenth, Jacob Latz protected the two-run lead while navigating around traffic for a scoreless outing and his tenth save. He allowed a leadoff single by Jac Caglianone and walked Nick Loftin before recording a strikeout against Isaac Collins, then induced a game-ending double-play groundout by Tyler Tolbert. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. He has converted his last five save chances and been scoreless in four.
- Jakob Junis earned his first win, tossing two clean frames and striking out three.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Cole Winn
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Sealing a five-run lead, Yennier Cano stranded a runner in the eighth and retired all four batters, two via strikeout. He threw 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%) while facing Seattle’s 4-5-6-7 batters.
- Boston Red Sox: Another rough outing for Justin Slaten. He gave up three hits, including a two-run home run by Cedric Mullins in two-thirds of the eighth. He has allowed multiple runs in his last two appearances and in three of his last five, resulting in ten earned runs across 4.1 innings. Woof.
- Houston Astros: Pressed into action with the score tied at the bottom of the tenth, Bryan Abreu allowed a bunt single when he did not field it, then served up a walk-off RBI single by José Siri, resulting in his third loss. Josh Hader retired the side in the ninth, throwing 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has turned in four scoreless appearances since his activation, striking out seven while issuing one walk.
- Los Angeles Angels: Working a scoreless top of the tenth, Ryan Zeferjahn recorded two strikeouts, intentionally walked Joey Loperfido, and induced an inning-ending groundout, then collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
National League
Cincinnati Reds – Finishing this road trip with a 1-5 record despite leading each game illustrates the bullpen’s struggles. Chase Petty took over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth and retired his first two batters, then served up a walk-off home run by Fernando Tatis Jr., handing him his first loss.
- Tony Santillan let his only inherited runner score, giving up a game-tying RBI-single by Samad Taylor, during two-thirds of the eighth. He was charged with his fourth blown save while appearing for the third time in four days, and snapped his modest three-game scoreless streak.
- Caleb Ferguson gets credit for his first hold but gave up doubles by Jackson Merrill and Gavin Sheets, while recording one out in the eighth, with two earned runs on his ledger.
- Zach Maxwell notched his first hold, yielding a hit and striking out one at the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tony Santillan | *Zach Maxwell | *Tejay Antone
*= closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies – Benefiting from his team’s walk-off rally, Antonio Senzatela collected his sixth win and was tagged with his third blown save. He took over with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, giving up Ian Happ’s leadoff home run, a single, a double-play grounder, and an inning-ending strikeout of Michael Conforto. He threw 14 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He has allowed at least a run in two of his last three, and in three of his previous five games.
- Jeff Criswell worked a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- Juan Mejia fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
- Brennan Bernardino tossed a scoreless sixth despite issuing a walk.
Hierarchy Remains: *Antonio Senzatela | *Seth Halvorsen | *Jaden Hill
*= closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies – A rare occurrence in June, Jhoan Duran was used for a third straight game and rebounded for a scoreless bottom of the ninth, closing out his 17th save. He allowed George Springer’s leadoff single, induced a double-play groundout against Vlad Guerrero Jr., gave up a single by Ernie Clement, and produced a game-ending strikeout via ABS challenge. Duran threw 10 pitches, all strikes, without a whiff. He has been scoreless in nine of his last 10 games, during which he’s converted nine of ten saves while posting a 0.889 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus zero walks (35.3 K-BB%) through nine innings.
- José Alvarado notched his eighth hold, yielding a hit and striking out two in the eighth.
- Brad Keller stranded one of two inherited runners, retiring both batters at the bottom of the seventh for his 13th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | Orion Kerkering
Pittsburgh Pirates – Surviving a two-run home run by Shohei Ohtani, Gregory Soto retired the next two batters, securing his ninth save, closing out an eventual one-run margin. He finished with two hits and two earned runs while throwing eight pitches, all strikes, without a whiff. He has allowed multiple runs in his last two appearances and owns a 0.921 WHIP with 34 strikeouts versus 12 walks (19 K-BB%) over 29.1 innings.
- Evan Sisk was awarded his first win after stranding a runner and retiring his only batter via strikeout in the eighth.
- Carmen Mlodzinski logged 3.2 innings, allowing three hits, including Ryan Ward’s grand slam, and three walks while striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Gregory Soto | Mason Montgomery | Carmen Mlodzinski
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Summoned at the bottom of the seventh, Alex Vesia let his inherited runner score on an error by Max Muncy, then retired Ryan O’Hearn via groundout, notching his ninth hold. Kyle Hurt took over with a two-run lead in the eighth, but gave up three hits, including a go-ahead three-run home run by Tyler Callihan, four earned runs, and two walks, resulting in his first loss and a first blown save during one-third of the eighth.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Called on at the bottom of the seventh, Chad Patrick suffered his third loss and his first blown save, allowing three hits, including two home runs, placing three earned runs on his ledger, prompting his removal without recording an out. Aaron Ashby took over, working a scoreless seventh while giving up a hit and walking one. Trevor Megill worked around Shea Langeliers’ leadoff double by retiring the next three batters, two on strikeouts.
- San Diego Padres: After working a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing a hit and a walk, Wandy Peralta collected his first win on a walk-off home run at the bottom of the frame. He threw 14 pitches (57.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
- San Francisco Giants: Despite allowing two hits, including a solo home run by Curtis Mead, Reiver Sanmartin collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth. Sanmartin logged two innings and recorded two strikeouts, throwing 31 pitches (19 strikes – 61.3 Strike%) with two whiffs.
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Statistical Credits: