Friday night’s slate featured José Alvarado suffering his first blown save and a meltdown in New York by Reed Garrett, fueling another late-inning comeback win for the Giants. For the good news, Jason Foley recorded a one-out save in Toronto, prompting an adjustment of his team’s bullpen hierarchy. Josh Hader turned in a third consecutive clean appearance and sixth straight scoreless, nailing down his seventh save. These high-leverage events, the remaining ones of interest are covered in our condensed and full game recaps.

Closer CliffsNotes

American League

(RP | BAL): Preserving a two-run win over the White Sox, Craig Kimbrel retired the side in the bottom of the ninth while securing his 11th save. 

(RP | CWS): Taking over a tied game in the top of the eighth, John Brebbia allowed a double, and a one-out walk, resulting in two earned runs and his third loss. 

Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure

(RP | DET): In the bottom of the ninth, summoned with two runners on and two outs, Jason Foley retired his only batter on a game-ending groundout, collecting his 11th save. 

(RP | HOU): Closing out a three-run win in Oakland, Josh Hader turned in a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two for his seventh save.

(RP | MIN): Preserving a one-run win over Texas, Jhoan Durán navigated around a two-out walk and a stolen base with a game-ending groundout for his fifth save.

*He was featured in Friday’s Five, along with an analysis of Edwin Díaz, when Evan Phillips will return, plus intriguing relievers for Detroit and the Cubs.

National League

(RP | COL): Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Tyler Kinley collected his third win after retiring the side in the top of the 11th, recording two strikeouts against the Phillies.

(RP | LAD): Entering in the bottom of the fifth, Yohan Ramírez let his only inherited runner score, and three earned runs on his own ledger, allowing a walk and two hit-batters without recording an out en route to his second loss. 

Hierarchy remains: *Daniel Hudson | *Blake Treinen | Alex Vesia

*= closer-by-committee

(RP | MIL): Operating as the “bulk follower,” Bryse Wilson collected his third win, giving up six hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out seven.

Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Elvis Peguero | Bryan Hudson

(RP | NYM): Suffering a loss in a second straight appearance, Reed Garrett allowed four hits, including a go-ahead grand slam, five earned runs, and a walk in the top of the eighth. 

(RP | PHI): Suffering his first blown save, José Alvarado allowed Jacob Stallings’s game-tying, two-out solo home run in the bottom of the ninth. He finished with two hits against, an earned run, and two strikeouts in his outing.

(RP | SFG): Working into, then out of trouble, Camilo Doval recorded his ninth save despite allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk (intentional) while striking out one during a one-run win over the Mets.

Vulture Save Options, Saturday, May 25

• Matt Strahm (PHI): Alvarado and Hoffman have appeared in two straight games and in three of the last four. Based on usage patterns, Strahm could either get a vulture win or the save, making him the preferred reliever in today’s contest.
• Jacob Webb (BAL): Kimbrel and his leverage triumvirate (Cano and Coulombe) pitched on consecutive days, which will keep them out of today’s game.
• Tyler Rogers (STL): There’s a slight chance the Giants will use Doval again today, but he’s worked three of the previous four days and four of the last six. This bullpen has had a heavy workload since its arrival in Pittsburgh this week.

Vulture Save Options, Sunday, May 26

• Griffin Jax (MIN): He should receive Saturday off. If Durán records the save today, it will mark consecutive appearances and three of the last four.

Full Recaps – American League

Baltimore Orioles – Save number 11 for Craig Kimbrel, preserving a two-run win against the White Sox. He retired the 8-9-1 lineup pocket in order on six pitches (83.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%). He owns a modest six-game scoreless streak with six strikeouts against zero walks and 5.2 clean innings. Danny Coulombe notched his tenth hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless eighth. Yennier Cano gave up a game-tying solo home run by Andrew Vaughn and recorded two strikeouts. He was tagged with his third blown save and collected his third win courtesy of a two-run rally in the top of the eighth.

Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe

Detroit Tigers – Recording a fantasy favorite one-out save, Jason Foley took over with a four-run lead and two runners on in the bottom of the ninth in Toronto. He induced an inning-ending ground out by Danny Jansen, quelling the threat and securing his 11th save on three pitches. Andrew Chafin created the opportunity, giving up four hits and two earned runs while striking out two over two-thirds of the ninth. Will Vest stranded a runner in the eighth, allowing a hit and striking one. Beau Brieske logged 2.2 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out two.

Updated Hierarchy: Jason Foley | Andrew Chafin | Will Vest

Houston Astros – Locking down his seventh save, Josh Hader turned in a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two on 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and generating five whiffs (50 SwStr%). This extended his modest six-game scoreless streak, during which he’s recorded two wins and four saves while posting 13 strikeouts against two walks over 8.1 innings. Ryan Pressly recorded his seventh hold, retiring the side in the eighth. Bryan Abreu gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out two in the seventh.

Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu

Minnesota Twins – Handed a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, Jhoan Durán recorded his fifth save, working around a two-out walk with a game-ending ground out by Marcus Semien. Durán threw 15 pitches (7 strikes – 46.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff with one strikeout in his outing. He snapped a three-game streak of allowing at least a run and has converted his last two save chances. Griffin Jax turned in a clean top of the eighth for his eighth hold. Caleb Thielbar retired the side in the seventh, securing his fifth hold. Steven Okert notched his third hold with a clean sixth.

Hierarchy remains: *Jhoan Durán (HLR/PSS) | *Griffin Jax | Caleb Thielbar

*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary. 

Full Recaps – National League

Colorado Rockies – Not only did Tyler Kinley retire the side in the top of the 11th while recording two strikeouts, but he also collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) without a whiff facing the Phillies’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, though Johan Rojas replaced Bryce Harper. Nick Mears logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two. Matt Carasiti tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out one.

Hierarchy remains: Jalen Beeks | Justin Lawrence | Tyler Kinley

New York Mets – Securing his first hold since September 1, 2022, Edwin Díaz allowed a one-out single by Patrick Bailey and recorded two strikeouts for a scoreless seventh. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). Reed Garrett suffered his second loss, allowing four hits, including a go-ahead grand slam by Bailey, five earned runs, and one walk in the eighth. Jorge López served up a solo home run (Mike Yastrzemski) among his two hits in the top of the ninth.

Hierarchy remains: *Adam Ottavino | *Reed Garrett | Edwin Díaz

*= closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – Entering a tied contest in the bottom of the 11th, Gregory Soto suffered his second loss, allowing an unearned run on two walks and a walk-off RBI single by Ezequiel Tovar in Colorado. José Ruiz tossed a scoreless tenth, issuing a walk and striking out one. José Alvarado was tagged with his first blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run by Jeremy Stallings with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. He finished with two hits allowed, an earned run, two strikeouts on 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%), and inducing three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Jeff Hoffman secured his seventh hold, retiring the side in the eighth. Orion Kerkering logged 1.2 scoreless innings, stranding two runners and giving up a hit.

Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering

*= closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants – Closing out another late-inning comeback, Camilo Doval hung on for his ninth save, preserving a one-run win. However, he allowed a lead-off double, a one-out RBI single by Francisco Lindor, recorded a fielder’s choice ground out, and issued an intentional walk (Brandon Nimmo), loading the bases with one out. Doval bore down, striking out J.D. Martinez and getting a game-ending ground out by Mark Vientos. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (18.2 SwStr%) while appearing for the fourth time over the last six days. Ryan Walker nailed down his eighth hold, retiring the side in the eighth and striking out one. Nick Avila collected his first win, logging two innings, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out four. 

Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker

Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day is this “splinker” by Jhoan Durán – video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.

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