Thursday’s eight-game slate featured three reliever wins, four saves, and four losses, with only one blown save. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 563 saves this season by 170 different pitchers.
Here are the limited vulture options:
Vulture Save Option for 6.19.2026
- Jacob Webb (CHC): If he’s available, he recorded the save on Wednesday, and should be in line if there is one in today’s contest.
Vulture Save Stash for 6.20.2026
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS): If Chapman pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances.
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With the score tied at the top of the ninth, Aroldis Chapman allowed an infield single by Ernie Clement, recorded an out on a pop-out bunt attempt, struck out Kazuma Okamoto, then gave up Brandon Valuenzuela’s go-ahead RBI double, resulting in his second loss. He threw 20 pitches (85 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This was Chapman’s first appearance since June 13 and snapped his 16-game scoreless streak. Through 22 appearances, he owns a 0.969 WHIP with 29 strikeouts versus nine walks (23.3 K-BB%) across 21.2 innings.
However, Boston has played 71 games and has only given Chapman 14 save opportunities. As the team fades in the standings, the fan base anticipates trading away veterans to retool the roster. In this column by Chris Cotillo for MassLive, he explains why Chapman’s contract will make him more attractive to contending teams:
He only needs 18 more appearances with slightly more than half of the season remaining for the clause to trigger. If for some reason he does not, it becomes a mutual option, which would open the door for him to be a free agent at the end of 2026.
Although he could also be moved, Garrett Whitlock will be a popular stash candidate, and insurance for those with Chapman on their roster. He has been scoreless in seven of his last eigth outings, recording two wins, three holds, and a blown save while posting a 0.546 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and no walks (35.2 K-BB%) over his last 7.1 innings. He has two team options beyond this season:
- 2027: $8.25 million
- 2028: $10.5 million
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Thursday.
American League
Chicago White Sox – Operating as the “bulk follower,” Sean Burke earned his fourth win, logging 7.1 innings, giving up five hits, one earned run, and a walk while striking out one against the Yankees in the Bronx. He threw 88 pitches (65 strikes – 73.9 Strike%) and generated 18 whiffs (20.5 SwStr%).
- Bryan Hudson was the “opener” and logged 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out two on 27 pitches (16 strikes – 59.3 Strike%) with two whiffs.
Hierarchy Remains: *Seranthony Domínguez | *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Taking over at the bottom of the eighth with two runners on, Cade Smith walked pinch-hitter William Contreras, then recorded an inning-ending strikeout of Christian Yelich. Returning for the ninth, he worked around a two-out walk to Andrew Vaughn with a game-ending flyout, securing his MLB-leading 24th save. He threw 22 pitches (10 strikes – 45.5 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%) across 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out two.
He has recorded three multiple-inning outings through five games this month, and this marked his fourth save that required at least four outs.
- Hunter Gaddis allowed a hit and a walk with two strikeouts during two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his 12th hold.
- Colin Holderman issued a walk and stranded a runner during one-third of the seventh, earning his sixth hold.
- Tim Herrin recorded two outs and issued two walks during his 12th hold in the seventh inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Tim Herrin
New York Yankees – After he stranded an inherited runner at the top of the seventh on a flyout and a strikeout, Fernando Cruz returned for the eighth and allowed a leadoff double by Sam Antonacci before being lifted. Tim Hill replaced him and hit the next two batters before striking out Chase Meidroth, then was removed. With the bases loaded, Camilo Doval served up a go-ahead grand slam by Andrew Benintendi, scoring all three inherited runners. As a result, Cruz was tagged with his second loss and an earned run. Hill got two earned runs on his ledger, and Doval finished his 1.2 innings, yielding two hits and an earned run while striking out one. Again, it’s evident that this bullpen needs an infusion of talent before the playoffs.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Camilo Doval
Seattle Mariners – Battling his command, Andrés Muñoz completed a combined three-hit shutout despite issuing two walks at the top of the ninth, securing his 12th save. He threw 21 pitches (9 strikes – 42.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (9.5 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout.
Through six games in June, he has a loss and converted three of four save opportunities, posting a 1.927 WHIP with six walks against five strikeouts across 4.2 innings. Of his 77 pitches in this sample, only 44 have been strikes (57.1 Strike%) while producing nine whiffs (11.7 SwStr%). For context, his rolling-game chart from Fangraphs:
- Eduard Bazardo notched his 14th hold, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Toronto Blue Jays – Capping his team’s go-ahead rally at the top of the ninth, Mason Fluharty recorded his first save of the season and the second of his career, retiring the side against Boston’s 3-4-5 lineup pocket. He threw five pitches, all strikes, without a whiff. With the bullpen running on fumes, the left-handed reliever stepped up against two left-handed batters in the ninth, preserving the one-run lead.
- Tommy Nance allowed a hit and retired two batters in the eighth, collecting his first win.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: During a shutout loss, Rico Garcia worked a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded a strikeout on 10 pitches (50 Strike%) with one whiff.
- The Athletics: Preserving a combined shutout, Hogan Harris navigated around two hits by recording three strikeouts at the top of the ninth against the Angels. Mason Barnett allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in the eighth.
National League
New York Mets – Hanging on for his 11th save, Devin Williams was forced into an extended outing when a potentially game-ending grounder was thrown wide to first base by Bo Bichette. As of this writing, it’s being scored as a hit, but it may be changed to an error, which would remove an earned run from the outing. It all started with a one-out walk, a fielder’s choice groundout, an infield single, a soft-serve single to center by Justin Crawford, driving in a run, and a game-ending lineout by Kyle Schwarber. It’s ironic that the hardest hit ball resulted in an out:
Williams threw 25 pitches (68 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (20 SwStr%) while allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one.
- Luke Weaver fired a clean eighth, striking out the side against the Phillies’ 3-4-5 batters.
- A.J. Minter retired both batters and stranded a runner in the seventh for his first hold.
- Huascar Brazobán collected his fourth win, working a scoreless combined inning between the sixth and seventh innings, walking and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Quick Hits
- Milwaukee Brewers: Ceding the one-run lead, Joel Kuhnel gave up a game-tying solo home run by Kyle Manzardo, resulting in his first blown save at the top of the sixth. Grant Anderson was tagged with his third loss, allowing two walks, a two-run home run by Travis Bazzana, and striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Entering a tied game at the top of the seventh, José Alvarado suffered his second loss, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
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Statistical Credits: