Monday’s 10-game slate resulted in four reliever wins and five saves. Colorado remained hot, snapping Cleveland’s win streak, with Jalen Beeks holding on for his fifth save. This hierarchy remains fluid in our designation, but Tyler Kinley had pitched in three of the previous four days. Lucas Sims secured his first save of the season, filling in for Alexis Díaz with a clean ninth against St. Louis sparking a high-five among vulture save chasers.
In case you missed it, an updated list of tiered rankings for closers was posted yesterday.
Our condensed and full game recaps cover all of Monday’s high-leverage events of interest, plus vulture save options for today and tomorrow.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | MIN): Working around soft contact, Jhoan Durán recorded his seventh hold despite letting both inherited runners score and an unearned run on his ledger. He scattered two hits along with a hit batter.
(RP | SEA): Finishing a one-run over the Astros, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out two for his 11th save.
(RP | TOR): Logging two scoreless frames, Nate Pearson recorded his first hold, giving up a hit and striking out two.
National League
(RP | CHC): Entering with a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth, Mark Leiter Jr. allowed four hits and four earned runs during two-thirds of an inning, resulting in his second loss and first blown save.
Hierarchy remains (mostly linear): Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Tyson Miller
(RP | CIN): Filling affably for a resting Alexis Díaz, Lucas Sims shut the door on his first save this season, retiring the side and striking out two against the Cardinals.
(RP | COL): Closing out his fifth save, Jalen Beeks allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out two during a two-run win over the Guardians. He’s given up a run in four straight outings.
(RP | MIL): Turning in another strong outing, Bryan Hudson tossed two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out three. He collected his third win following a five-run rally in the bottom of the eighth. He threw 32 pitches (23 strikes – 71.9 Strike%) and induced three whiffs. He owns a modest seven-game scoreless streak with 15 strikeouts against two walks over 11 innings. He’s also given up one earned run through his last 17 appearances since April 9, recording three wins and six holds across 25 innings.
Hierarchy remains (preferred save share with match-up based set-up): Trevor Megill | Elvis Peguero | Bryan Hudson
(RP | SDP): Robert Suarez preserved a one-run win over the Marlins by locking down his 16th save with a clean top of the ninth while striking out one.
(RP | SFG): Earning his first major league win, Randy Rodríguez fired two clean frames and recorded one strikeout against the Phillies.
(RP | WSH): During a non-save appearance, Kyle Finnegan finished a four-run win in Atlanta, giving up two hits and striking out three in a scoreless bottom of the ninth.
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, May 28
- Griffin Jax (MIN): Durán has appeared three times over the last four days, placing Jax on the radar for the vulture save chance.
- Jeremiah Estrada (SDP): Suarez notched the save yesterday and has logged consecutive outings, leaving Estrada in line for the save chance today.
- Ryne Stanek (SEA): He received Monday off and could be the option for the vulture save today, with Muñoz having pitched the two previous days.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets will play a doubleheader today; if desperate for a vulture save or doubling down with one of the relievers above, Blake Treinen or Adam Ottavino could be in play.
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, May 29
- Hunter Harvey (WSH): Based on usage patterns, he will be off today, but if Finnegan pitches this evening, he should get Wednesday off, putting Harvey in line for the save chance.
American League – Full Recaps
Minnesota Twins – Taking over with two runners on and two outs in the top of the ninth, leading by four, Jhoan Durán preserved the win with his seventh save. However, his outing began with a hit-by-pitch followed by an infield single, scoring a run. Although he induced a groundout to third, Willi Castro made a throwing error, scoring two of three runners, before a game-ending infield groundout by Bobby Witt Jr. It was all soft contact. Still, Durán allowed two hits and an unearned run over one-third of the ninth. Cole Sands gave up three hits and three earned runs during his two-thirds of the ninth. Griffin Jax tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains (mostly linear): Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Caleb Thielbar
Seattle Mariners – Nailing down his 11th save, Andrés Muñoz retired the side in the top of the ninth, recording two strikeouts. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in nine of 10 appearances in May while converting six saves with 16 strikeouts versus one walk over 11.1 innings. Gabe Speier secured his sixth hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one. Trent Thornton worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy remains (mostly linear): Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Gabe Speier
Toronto Blue Jays – In a non-save outing against the White Sox, Génesis Cabrera tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, navigating around a hit and a walk. Zach Pop secured his third hold, stranding an inherited runner despite giving up a single during two-thirds scoreless. Erik Swanson allowed a home run (Gavin Sheets) and a single while only recording one out in the eighth. He was credited with his fifth hold. This snapped his modest five-game scoreless streak, and he’s now given up three home runs through 11 outings in May. Nate Pearson notched his first hold, logging two scoreless frames, yielding a hit, and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains (mostly linear): Jordan Romano | Yimi García (HLR) | Erik Swanson
National League – Full Recaps
Cincinnati Reds – Locking down his first save this season, Lucas Sims fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). This marks his first save since August 26, 2023, and he’s only allowed one earned run through 10 outings in May with nine strikeouts against one walk over eight innings. Sam Moll notched his second hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth. Fernando Cruz faced five batters and recorded five strikeouts for his 10th hold. He threw 23 pitches (17 strikes – 73.9 Strike%) and generated nine whiffs (39.1 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains (mostly linear): Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims| Fernando Cruz
Colorado Rockies – Despite allowing a run for a fourth straight appearance, Jalen Beeks held on for his fifth save, closing out a two-run win over Cleveland. He allowed a one-out double by Tyler Freeman and an RBI single by Andrés Giménez before striking out José Ramírez and inducing a game-ending pop-out by Josh Naylor. Beeks threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s converted five of seven save opportunities this month. Victor Vodnik turned in 1.1 scoreless innings, scattering two hits. Josh Rogers recorded his first win as the “bulk follower,” logging five innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains (match-up-based): *Tyler Kinley | *Jalen Beeks | Justin Lawrence
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Save number 16 for Robert Suarez. He retired the side in the top of the ninth, recording one strikeout. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He’s converted all 16 save chances this season and has been scoreless in 10 of 11 appearances in May, with 13 strikeouts against one walk over 12 innings. Yuki Matsui secured his sixth hold, allowing a hit and striking out two during a scoreless eighth. Adrian Morejon collected his first win, tossing two scoreless frames, issuing a walk, and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains (mostly linear): Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Yuki Matsui
San Francisco Giants – Wrapping up a four-run win over the Phillies, Camilo Doval tossed a scoreless ninth, allowing a one-out double by Brandon Marsh before retiring the next two batters. He threw 19 pitches (9 strikes – 47.4 Strike%) without a whiff. This represents his second straight non-save outing. He’s logged 12 appearances in May, converting four of five save chances with 15 strikeouts against nine walks. Ryan Walker worked a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk. Erik Miller notched his ninth hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless seventh. Randy Rodríguez earned his first major league win, retiring all six batters faced and striking out one, throwing 16 pitches (13 strikes – 81.3 Strike%) with two whiffs. He’s recorded five straight scoreless outings.
Hierarchy remains (mostly linear): Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
Washington Nationals – Working into, then out of trouble, Kyle Finnegan closed out a four-run win in Atlanta with a scoreless bottom of the ninth. After a lead-off single by Sean Murphy, Finnegan recorded two strikeouts, gave up a single by Orland Arcia, and then produced a game-ending strikeout of Jarred Kelenic. He threw 15 pitches (13 strikes – 86.7 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (40 SwStr%). Hunter Harvey retired the side in the eighth and recorded one strikeout. Derek Law gave up a hit, an earned run, and two walks over two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains (mostly linear): Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Fernando Cruz. He faced five Cardinals and recorded five strikeouts, video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
In case you missed it, yesterday, an updated list of tiered rankings for closers was posted. Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
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