Friday’s 14-game slate featured six reliever wins, six saves, and six losses, with four blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 570 saves this season by 170 different pitchers.
Here are the limited vulture options:
Vulture Save Option for 6.20.2026
- Hogan Harris (ATH): Alvarado logged two innings during a win last night and will be unavailable today.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA): If taking the other side on this contest, he was not used during his team’s one-run loss last night.
- 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 6.21.2026
- Robert Suarez (ATL): If Iglesias pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances.
- Lucas Erceg (KC): If Lange is used today, it will be back-to-back outings.
- Jakob Junis (TEX): Latz only threw 11 pitches on Friday, but if he’s used today, it will be two straight appearances.
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Taking over with a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Helsley allowed a one-out solo home run by Mookie Betts, walked Max Muncy, and, after inducing a pop-out against Tommy Edman, walked Ryan Ward, putting two runners on with two outs. Facing Dalton Rushing, Helsley allowed an RBI single, and the game-winning run scored on a throwing error, resulting in his third loss and first blown save. He finished with two hits, three runs (two earned), and two walks while throwing 23 pitches (10 strikes – 43.5 Strike%) with two whiffs (8.7 SwStr%). First, his illustrator:
And, his results from Friday:
Through his two appearances back from the injured list, he’s allowed four hits, three home runs, and five runs (four earned). He may not be on the hot seat yet, but his fantasy managers cannot be encouraged by these outings.
- Yennier Cano secured his sixth hold, stranding a runner and striking out his only batter in the eighth.
- Tyler Wells tossed 1.2 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out three for his ninth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
American League
Detroit Tigers – Sealing a one-run lead, Kenley Jansen fired a clean top of the ninth while recording a strikeout for his eighth save of the season, and the 484th of his career. He threw 10 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff. This marked his first save since May 10, and he’s been scoreless in nine of 10 appearances since returning from the injured list, posting a 0.62 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against five walks (23.5 K-BB%) across 8.2 innings.
- Will Vest notched his seventh hold, issuing a walk during a scoreless eighth.
- Drew Andrerson collected his third win, tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
Kansas City Royals – Forced into action with two runners on and two outs at the top of the ninth, Alex Lange let one inherited runner score on a wild pitch and the second on an RBI single by Blaze Jordan before inducing a game-ending fielder’s choice groundout, resulting in his fifth save. He threw 10 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Matt Strahm created the chaos, allowing two hits and a walk, ending with three earned runs on his ledger.
- Daniel Lynch IV retired the side in the eighth. John Schreiber worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | Lucas Erceg
Los Angeles Angels – Summoned with the bases loaded and one out at the bottom of the tenth, Samy Natera Jr. issued Nick Kurtz a walk-off walk. Kirby Yates absorbed his third loss, hitting a batter and walking one while recording one out before being removed in the tenth inning. He threw 10 pitches (40 Strike%) and induced two whiffs, but he has struggled with his command during his last two appearances.
- Sam Bachman was tagged with his second blown save, allowing two hits, including a game-tying two-run home run by Jonah Heim with two outs at the bottom of the ninth.
- Chase Silseth also served up a two-run homer in the eighth by Max Muncy.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Zeferjahn | Sam Bachman | Chase Silseth
Tampa Bay Rays – Shutting the door on his 19th save, Bryan Baker fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, throwing 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6 Strike%) with two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He has been scoreless over his last 11 appearances, converting all eight save chances while posting a 0.636 WHIP with ten strikeouts versus three walks (17.1 K-BB%) through ten innings.
- Garrett Cleavinger stranded two runners at the top of the eighth, retiring all three batters for his 11th hold.
- Kevin Kelly recorded an out in the seventh, but allowed two baserunners on a hit and an error in the eighth, getting credit for his 15th hold.
- Steven Matz secured his first hold, allowing a hit and striking out one across 1.2 scoreless frames.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Texas Rangers – Closing out a rare high-scoring contest in Arlington, Jacob Latz secured his MLB-leading seventh save, requiring four or more outs. He entered at the top of the eighth, stranding an inherited runner with an inning-ending flyout, and worked around a one-out single with a groundout and a game-ending pop-out for his 13th save of the season. Latz threw an efficient 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Jakob Junis logged 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and an earned run on a solo home run by Gavin Sheets while striking out one for his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Cole Winn
The Athletics – Turning in another Herculean effort, Elvis Alvarado collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the tenth. He allowed one hit across two scoreless frames and recorded two strikeouts, throwing 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) with one whiff. Over his last six games, he’s been scoreless in five while recording a 0.36 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and no walks (46.4 K-BB%) with a win, two saves, and a hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado | Mark Leiter Jr.
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: As the “bulk follower,” Erick Fedde suffered his sixth loss, allowing four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out four. Chris Murphy worked a scoreless bottom of the seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one. Seranthony Domínguez kept his team within one, working around a hit for a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- New York Yankees: Completing a combined shutout, David Bednar fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts on 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with four whiffs. This extends his scoreless streak to nine games, but his last save was on June 13.
- Seattle Mariners: Operating as the “bulk follower” in his team’s revamped piggyback concept, Luis Castillo allowed seven hits and five runs (four earned) while striking out four.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – In a non-save capacity, Paul Sewald closed out a four-run lead at the top of the ninth, walking and striking out one against the Twins’ 9-1-2-3 hitters. He threw 13 pitches (5 strikes – 38.5 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Kevin Ginkel was credited with his sixth hold despite allowing two solo home runs and a walk while striking out one at the top of the eighth.
- Brandyn Garcia notched his sixth hold with a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two.
- Jonathan Loáisiga collected his second win, retiring all four batters and stranding two runners at the top of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Juan Morillo
Atlanta Braves – Hanging on for his 15th save, Raisel Iglesias issued Christian Yelich a one-out walk, followed by Jackson Chourio’s double and Brice Turang’s RBI single, but Chourio was thrown out at home. Iglesias bore down, recording a game-ending strikeout against William Contreras, closing out an eventual one-run margin, throwing 20 pitches (65 Strike%) with two whiffs.
- Robert Suarez stranded a runner at the top of the seventh and navigated around two hits and a walk for 1.1 scoreless innings, notching his 12th hold.
- Dylan Lee allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, securing his 15th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Colorado Rockies – Working around Marcell Ozuna’s leadoff single and a one-out walk with an inning-ending double-play groundout, Antonio Senzatela preserved his team’s one-run lead but was awarded his seventh win rather than a save. He threw 19 pitches (10 strikes – 52.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
- Jaden Hill suffered his third blown save, letting his only inherited runner score at the top of the eighth, and an earned run on his ledger, giving up a go-ahead RBI triple by Nick Gonzales, finishing with two hits during his two-thirds of the eighth. His brief and ineffective outing prevented him from consideration for the win.
Updated Hierarchy: *Antonio Senzatela | *Victor Vodnik | *Juan Mejia
*= closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Finishing off a bullpen game, Pete Fairbanks nailed down his tenth save, retiring the side against the Giants’ 8-9-1 pocket, throwing 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with one whiff. In seven outings in June, he has recorded a win, four saves, and a hold with a 1.345 WHIP across 6.2 innings.
- Calvin Faucher retired both batters at the top of the eighth for his eighth hold.
- Cade Gibson was awarded his first win, firing 1.2 clean frames and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Anthony Bender
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Working a clean top of the ninth and recording two strikeouts with his team down by two runs, Blake Treinen garnered his fourth win courtesy of a walk-off home run at the bottom of the frame. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the eighth, Mason Montgomery suffered his second loss and second blown save, allowing three hits, including a go-ahead two-RBI double by Braxton Fulford, during his two-thirds of an inning. Yohan Ramírez logged 1.1 clean frames across the seventh and eighth innings.
- San Diego Padres: Appearing in a loss, Jason Adam allowed Wyatt Langford’s solo home run at the bottom of the eighth.
- San Francisco Giants: Entering with a one-run lead at the bottom of the seventh, Sam Hentges hit Esteury Ruiz with a pitch, allowed a single by Javier Sanoja, and a game-tying RBI single by Liam Hicks, followed by a go-ahead sacrifice fly by Owen Caissie, resulting in his second loss and first blown save during one-third of the inning. Ryan Walker replaced him, stranding a runner while issuing an intentional walk during two-thirds of the seventh.
Rehab Recon
Cincinnati Reds – Emilio Pagán completed a successful outing against live hitters pregame at Yankees Stadium, covered by Charlie Goldsmith on his Substack:
A timeline for his return was not included, but he should log two to three rehab appearances prior to activation.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Encouraging news again regarding Edwin Díaz:
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
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