Closer Monkey’s Leverage Ledger | 6.24.2026

Tuesday’s slate featured four reliever wins (one accompanied by a blown save), six saves, and seven losses, with six blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:

There have been 601 saves this season by 174 different pitchers. 

Here are the vulture options: 

Vulture Save Options for 6.24.2026

  • Chad Patrick (MIL): Megill, Uribe, and Ashby have all worked in back-to-back games. If Patrick logs multiple innings and not the ninth, Joel Kuhnel could be in play. 
  • Jason Adam (SD): Miller has pitched in consecutive contests, logging three innings, and appeared in three of the previous four games. Morejon has also been used in two straight games. 

Doubleheader Options

  • Chicago Cubs: Preferred option: Jacob Webb; Wild Card: Ryan Rolison
  • New York Mets: Preferred option: Luke Weaver; Wild Card: A.J. Minter

Vulture Save Stashes for 6.25.2026

  • Gabe Speier (SEA): If Muñoz, Bazardo, and Ferrer are used today, it’s back-to-back games for all three. 
  • Ryan Walker (SF): If Kilian is used today, it’s consecutive appearances. 
  • Camilo Doval (NYY): If Bednar has to pitch today, it’s two straight, and he recorded four outs on Tuesday. 
  • Bryan Abreu (HOU): If he’s active on Thursday and Hader pitches today, he will be in line for the save opportunity. 
  • Arizona Diamondbacks: If they use Sewald today, it should be Ginkel. However, if both pitch, then possibly Ryan Thompson or Juan Morillo, but it’s tough to predict. 

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New York Yankees

Forced into an extended outing, David Bednar stranded a runner at the bottom of the eighth and retired all four batters, securing his 15th save while preserving a one-run lead in Detroit. He threw 17 pitches (82.4 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.7 SwStr%), recording his third save requiring at least four outs this season. 

This also extended his scoreless streak to 10 games, during which he owns a 0.636 WHIP with 13 strikeouts versus three walks (25 K-BB%) through 11 innings. 

  • Brent Headrick notched his eighth hold, giving up two hits and striking out one across 1.2 scoreless frames. 
  • Fernando Cruz stranded a runner, walking and striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth for his 12th hold. 

It may not be imminent, but help for Bednar could be on the way soon. He cannot be overused. As the Pirates learned, too many multiple-inning outings affect him physically. Carlos Lagrange recorded his first one-inning relief appearance on Sunday at Triple-A, issuing a walk and recording two strikeouts on 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) with three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). 

He needs more seasoning as a reliever, but could be ready by the All-Star break, infusing much-needed velocity and talent into this leverage ladder. 

Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Camilo Doval

Three Takeaways

Did the Angels provide a sneak preview? Sealing a four-run lead, Sam Bachman fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on eight pitches (75 Strike%) with one whiff facing the Orioles’ 2-3-4 pocket. Ryan Zeferjahn worked a clean eighth, striking out the side against the 8-9-1 hitters. Chase Silseth let one of two inherited runners score, giving up an RBI single by Leody Taveras and recording a strikeout during two-thirds of the seventh. Saves are few and far between for this team, but fantasy players should note the sequence during this four-run win. Until this happens in an actual save situation:

Hierarchy Remains: *Sam Bachman | *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Chase Silseth

*= closer-by-committee

Sewald struggles in St. Louis: With a runner on first and two outs at the bottom of the ninth, ahead by one, Brandyn Garcia was summoned to face JJ Wetherholt and recorded his first major league save on a game-ending strikeout. He only needed four pitches (75 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This extended his modest scoreless streak to five games.

Paul Sewald struggled during a non-save outing, taking over with a four-run lead in the ninth. His outing began with a Lars Nootbar double, a strikeout, a single by José Fermin, an RBI double by Alec Burleson, and a sacrifice fly. However, when Jimmy Crooks singled in the third run, Sewald was removed after throwing 23 pitches, giving up four hits and three earned runs across two-thirds of the inning. First, his illustrator:

And, his results:

He’s been scoreless in 18 of 25 appearances this year, but has allowed multiple runs four times. Here are his updated splits this season:

Kevin Ginkel collected his third win, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one.

Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Juan Morillo

Fairbanks holds on during his non-save outing: Things went sideways for Pete Fairbanks during a non-save appearance. He took over at the top of the ninth with a four-run lead and retired the first two batters, then served up a solo home run by Joc Pederson, hit Wyatt Langford with a pitch, and allowed an RBI triple by Brandon Nimmo before recording a game-ending fly out against Josh Jung. Fairbanks finished with two hits, two earned runs, and a strikeout on 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). His illustrator:

And, his results:

The good news is that he has a win, converted all five save chances, and has 11 strikeouts against four walks (18 K-BB%) across 8.2 innings in June. However, he’s allowed at least a run in three of nine games and multiple runs in two.

His updated splits:

Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Anthony Bender

Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday. 

American League

Chicago White Sox – Securing his second save, Sean Newcomb stranded a runner at the top of the seventh and logged 2.2 scoreless frames, issuing a walk and striking out two. He threw 45 pitches (55.6 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (6.7 SwStr%). It’s his first save since May 14, and he’s recorded back-to-back scoreless outings, spanning 5.2 innings, with one baserunner allowed while racking up six strikeouts (27.8 K-BB%).

Updated Hierarchy: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Seranthony Domínguez 

*= closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Despite letting the “courtesy runner” score at the bottom of the 11th, Logan VanWey collected his first career win, working two innings, allowing an RBI single by Kazuma Okamoto and an unearned run across the 10th and 11th innings.

Josh Hader fired a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout, throwing 16 pitches (56.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). He’s allowed one earned run over his first nine innings, converting all five save chances while posting a 0.33 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against one walk (43.3 K-BB%).

  • Nate Pearson allowed a hit, two unearned runs, and a walk while striking out two in the eighth.
  • Enyel De Los Santos suffered his second blown save, allowing three hits, including a two-run home run by Daulton Varsho, during his 1.1 innings.

Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan King | Bryan Abreu

Seattle Mariners – Shutting the door on his 14th save, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side against the Pirates’ 9-1-2 pocket. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (37.5 SwStr%). 

He has been scoreless in five of his last six outings, converting all five save opportunities while posting a 1.40 WHIP with nine strikeouts against four walks (22.7 K-BB%) through five innings.

  • Eduard Bazardo notched his 16th hold, working around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
  • Jose A. Ferrer secured his ninth hold, retiring the side at the bottom of the seventh.

Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier

Quick Hits

  • Minnesota Twins: As the “bulk follower,” Austin Voth incurred his first loss, allowing 11 hits, six runs (five earned), and a walk while striking out two across four innings. Travis Adams tossed two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out four. Taylor Rogers gave up five hits, five earned runs, and two walks at the top of the ninth. 
  • Toronto Blue Jays: Tasked with both extra-innings, Braydon Fisher was tagged with his third loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on a go-ahead three-run home run by Joey Loperfido at the top of the 11th. Tyler Rogers suffered his third blown save, giving up three hits and two runs (one earned) at the top of the ninth. After loading the bases on consecutive singles, a catcher’s interference scored a run, followed by a sacrifice fly by Cam Smith. Jeff Hoffman stranded two runners, issuing a walk and striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth. 

National League

Atlanta Braves – After tossing a scoreless bottom of the ninth, Raisel Iglesias returned for the tenth inning. However, he suffered his second loss, giving up Manny Machado’s walk-off RBI single. He finished with two hits and an unearned run while striking out one on 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) with three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). Though this was an unearned run, he has allowed at least a run in three of his last four appearances.

  • Dylan Lee logged 1.1 clean frames and stranded a runner at the bottom of the seventh.
  • Carlos Carrasco was tagged with his second blown save, giving up a game-tying solo home run by Fernando Tatis Jr. during the bottom of the seventh.

Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee

Milwaukee Brewers – Locking down his tenth save, Trevor Megill retired the side against the Reds’ 8-9-1 hitters on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s been scoreless over his last six outings, posting a 0.50 WHIP with nine strikeouts against one walk (38.1 K-BB%) across six innings while recording a win, two saves, and a hold.

  • Abner Uribe gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless eighth for his tenth hold.
  • Aaron Ashby worked a clean seventh, striking out two for his fourth hold.

Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby

San Diego PadresNot only did Mason Miller appear on consecutive days, but he also worked two clean frames while recording three strikeouts, including the top of the tenth against Atlanta. He collected his second win on a walk-off at the bottom of the frame. Miller threw 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2 Strike%) and only induced one whiff. This was his sixth multi-inning appearance of the season and his first requiring two innings. He has allowed an unearned run in his last seven outings, recording a 0.48 WHIP with 16 strikeouts versus two walks (48.3 K-BB%0 over 8.1 innings.

  • Adrian Morejon tossed a clean eighth, striking out one.
  • David Morgan issued a walk during a scoreless seventh. 

Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon

San Francisco Giants – Preserving a two-run lead, Caleb Kilian navigated around Tyler Soderstrom’s one-out single and a two-out walk to Lawrence Butler with a game-ending strikeout of Henry Bolte for his fifth save. He threw 18 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). It’s his first save since June fourth and extends his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he’s posted a 1.08 WHIP with 12 strikeouts against four walks (23.5 K-BB%) through 8.1 innings.

Hierarchy Remains: Caleb Kilian | Ryan Walker | Sam Hentges

Washington Nationals – Presented a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, Brad Lord retired the first two batters, then gave up a single by Trea Turner, followed by a game-tying two-run home run by Brad Marsh, resulting in his first blown save. But this was only the beginning. He allowed three more hits, four more earned runs, and a walk while striking out two, getting tagged with his first loss.

  • Paxton Schultz took over, letting his only inherited runner score, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk with one strikeout.
  • Before the meltdowns, Clayton Beeter let all three inherited runners score on a bases-clearing double by J.T. Realmuto and recorded an out in the eighth, suffering his third blown save.
  • Richard Lovelady gave up a hit, three earned runs, a hit batter, and a walk during one-third of the eighth.

Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Gus Varland | *Brad Lord

*= closer-by-committee

Quick Hits

  • Philadelphia Phillies: Putting the bow on a come-from-behind victory, Chase Shugart allowed a solo home run by Luis García Jr. and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the ninth. Orion Kerkering suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits, including a three-run home run by Yorbit Vivas, and a walk while striking out two at the bottom of the eighth. However, he was awarded his fourth win. 
  • St. Louis Cardinals: Suffering his second loss, Matt Svanson took over a tied game at the top of the ninth, allowing three hits, four runs (three earned), and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the inning. Gordon Graceffo replaced him, letting his only inherited runner score while issuing two walks and recording one out. 

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