Wednesday’s 17-game slate yielded four relievers wins and 10 saves. James “The General” McArthur recorded saves in each game of his team’s sweep of a split-game doubleheader against St. Louis. He’s the sixth Royals reliever to accomplish the feat and the first since Greg Holland did it two times in 2013. In the other doubleheader, Michael Kopech fired an “immaculate” inning while locking down his ninth save in Game 1, and Jhoan Durán recorded his 14th save during a one-run win in Game 2.
Two struggling closers, Clay Holmes and Paul Sewald, secured saves on this slate with clean appearances. Although the Phillies share saves in their “floating closer” concept, the scales have tipped recently, which will be a topic in today’s takeaways.
Three Takeaways
- Hoffman’s on a heater: Since June 30, Jeff Hoffman has recorded four of his team’s five saves, including a clean outing last night against the Dodgers. This recent surge in the category ties him with teammate José Alvarado for the team lead since June. Since April 10, Hoffman’s made 34 appearances, spanning 33 innings, and only allowed three earned runs while recording 41 strikeouts versus five walks (28.3 K-BB percentage). He also leads all qualified National League relievers in ERA (1.17) and converted his last seven save opportunities.
- Sewald rebounds: Avoiding a rage drop is tough when a closer struggles. After Paul Sewald suffered his third straight blown save, Torey Lovullo immediately reinforced Sewald’s role with the team, which resulted in a save on Wednesday night against Atlanta. It’s a fine line closers walk during high-leverage events, and in two of his blown saves, he retired the first two batters (July 2 vs. the Dodgers and July 8 against Atlanta). He may not reach past performance levels, but his role remains stable.
- Joyce gaining trust: In this column by Jeff Fletcher for The Orange County Register, manager Ron Washington acknowledged Ben Joyce could be used in save situations if Carlos Estévez is unavailable and Luis García has been used. It’s not a ringing endorsement, but it signals that the rookie will be on the radar for save chances in the second half. Estévez and García are free agents at the end of the season, which may result in their being moved before the trade deadline. Part of Joyce’s growing leverage presence comes from more efficient outings this season. He’s reduced his pitches per plate appearance from 4.15 last year to 3.87 in 2024 by adding a “splinker” into his arsenal. There will be some bumps in the road, but he’s produced a 0.73 WHIP during his nine-game scoreless streak, which spans 12.1 innings.
Next, our condensed game recaps cover Wednesday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Chicago White Sox – (Game 1) Variety is the spice of life, and it may be key to Michael Kopech‘s continued success. He locked down his ninth save with an immaculate ninth inning in Game 1, striking out the side against the Twins’ 6-7-8 batters. He threw nine pitches, all strikes, and generated four whiffs (44.4 SwStr%). He’s recorded consecutive clean appearances and only thrown 11 four-seam fastballs of his 19 pitches (57.9%) in these contests.
- John Brebbia worked around a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth, securing his 13th hold.
- Jordan Leasure notched his ninth hold but allowed Trevor Larnach’s solo home run in the seventh.
- Justin Anderson retired the side in the sixth, striking out one for his third hold.
- (Game 2) Michael Soroka suffered his tenth loss, allowing two hits, including Ryan Jeffers’ go-ahead RBI single in the top of the seventh. Soroka finished with two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two on his ledger.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Tanner Banks
Detroit Tigers – Summoned with an inherited runner on third and one out ahead by one, Jason Foley induced a fielder’s choice groundout, retiring the inherited runner. He then issued Brayan Rocchio an intentional walk, uncorked a wild pitch, put runners on second and third, and recorded a game-ending groundout for his 15th save.
- Alex Faedo was credited with his seventh hold, allowing an earned run and two walks over a combined inning of relief. He scored a runner with a wild pitch in the ninth.
- Tyler Holton secured his sixth hold, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals – During a split-doubleheader, James McArthur recorded the save in each game, his 16th and 17th of the season. He threw a combined 34 pitches (24 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (14.7 SwStr%). He gave up three hits and an earned run while striking out two across his two appearances on Wednesday. He’s been scoreless in nine of his last ten outings and converted all five save chances.
Game 1
- Sam Long notched his second hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Will Smith retired the side in the seventh, securing his sixth hold.
Game 2
- Kris Bubic recorded his first hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one.
- John Schreiber worked a clean seventh and struck out two for his 19th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Sam Long
Los Angeles Angels – After warming for a save opportunity, Carlos Estévez retired the side in the ninth, finishing a five-run win over Texas when his teammates tacked on two runs in the bottom of the eighth. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and did not induce a whiff. This marked his first outing in July, and he has a 12-game scoreless streak with 11 strikeouts versus one walk while converting all nine save chances.
- José Marte stranded three runners in the seventh and tossed 1.1 clean frames while striking out one for his first hold.
- Hunter Strickland was credited with his sixth hold, giving up a hit, a walk, and a hit batter during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Hans Crouse stranded the bases loaded in the fifth and logged 1.2 scoreless innings en route to his first major league win. He issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Ben Joyce
Minnesota Twins – Preserving a one-run win and a split in Game 2, Jhoan Durán fired a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out two against the White Sox, securing his 14th save. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (30 SwStr%). His scoreless streak reached seven games after this outing, during which he recorded two wins, three saves, and seven strikeouts against two walks across 6.2 innings.
- Griffin Jax worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one for his 14th hold.
- Jorge Alcala retired the side and struck out one in the seventh, securing his tenth hold.
- Steven Okert was awarded his third win, tossing a clean sixth inning.
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Jorge Alcala
New York Yankees – Recording his 20th save, first since June 9, Clay Holmes retired all four batters and stranded two in the eighth. He preserved a one-run win while striking out two. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He had allowed at least a run in five of his previous seven appearances, so fantasy managers hope he’s turning a corner.
- Tommy Kahnle was credited with his fourth hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Luke Weaver tossed 1.2 scoreless, issuing two walks and striking out one.
- Tim Hill collected his third win, stranding three runners in the fifth and working a scoreless combined innings. He gave up two hits and recorded two strikeouts.
Updated Hierarchy: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Tommy Kahnle
Oakland A’s – Securing his first save since June 21, Mason Miller tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth for his 15th save, finishing a three-run win. He allowed a two-out single but recorded a game-ending strikeout, his second of the outing. He threw 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in seven of his last eight but only has two saves.
- Lucas Erceg logged 1.1 scoreless innings but let one of two inherited runners score in the seventh during his 11th hold. He gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- T.J. McFarland was credited with his 11th hold, allowing two hits and an earned run during his two-thirds of the seventh.
- Austin Adams stranded a runner and retired his only batter via strikeout for his 17th hold in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Scott Alexander
Seattle Mariners—Shutting the door on his 15th save and preserving a combined shutout, Andrés Muñoz stranded two runners in the eighth and navigated around two walks in the ninth while striking out two. He threw 28 pitches (15 strikes—53.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (14.3 SwStr%) during his 1.1 scoreless frames. This marked his sixth save, requiring at least four outs.
- Ryne Stanek allowed a hit and a walk during his two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his 14th hold.
- Austin Voth notched his ninth hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Gregory Santos
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Being a goldfish (short memory) and benefiting from a nice play by Geraldo Perdomo, Paul Sewald snapped his blown save streak with a clean ninth while recording his 12th save. He capped a two-run rally in the bottom of the eighth, throwing eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) without a whiff. He breathed a sigh of relief after the last out, just like his fantasy managers.
- Ryan Thompson suffered his fifth blown save, giving up Marcell Ozuna’s game-tying two-run home run, and collected his fifth win courtesy of his team’s rally in the bottom of the eighth.
- Justin Martinez worked a scoreless seventh, allowing a hit and striking out two.
- Kevin Ginkel fired a clean sixth, striking out the side. He’s been scoreless in 17 of his last 18 with 20 strikeouts against two walks.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson
Colorado Rockies – Hanging on for his ninth save, Jalen Beeks allowed Tyler Stephenson’s lead-off home run, consecutive singles, an RBI single by Santiago Espinal, and a sacrifice fly before recording a game-ending groundout by Elly De La Cruz. Beeks finished with three hits and two earned runs on 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs. This snapped his three-game scoreless streak.
- Victor Vodnik recorded his sixth hold while giving up a solo home run by Jonathan India and striking out two in the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: Jalen Beeks | Victor Vodnik | Tyler Kinley
New York Mets – With the bullpen running on fumes, José Buttó stepped up and recorded his first career save, finishing a four-run win over the Nationals. He took over in the eighth with a runner on second, two outs with a three-run lead, and retired Lane Thomas via strikeout. Buttó returned for the ninth and retired the side with another strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and induced a whiff during his 1.1 clean innings. He’s an intriguing SPARP option moving forward for those playing in head-to-head leagues. He’s recorded two wins and a save through three appearances as a reliever.
- Danny Young notched his second hold, recording two outs and giving up a double in the top of the eighth.
- Jake Diekman stranded a runner and struck out both batters in the seventh for his eighth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Dedniel Núñez | Phil Maton
Philadelphia Phillies – Protecting a one-run lead, Jeff Hoffman retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the top of the ninth, facing the Dodgers 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). He’s recorded four saves in four scoreless appearances since June 30.
- José Alvarado gave up a one-out double by Andy Pages and Miguel Rojas’ RBI single, who was thrown out at second base. This marked Alvarado’s sixth hold, but he’s allowed a run in consecutive outings and three of his last five.
- Matt Strahm secured his eighth hold, retiring both batters, one via strikeout, while stranding two runners in the seventh.
- Orion Kerkering was credited with his seventh hold despite giving up two hits and striking out one in one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer
Vulture Save Options for Thursday, July 11
- None
Vulture Save Options for Friday, July 12
- Gregory Santos (SEA): If Muñoz and Stanek pitch on Thursday, it will be consecutive outings.
- Luis García (LAA): If Estévez works today, it will be back-to-back appearances.
- Shelby Miller (DET): If Foley works again on Thursday, it will be two straight games, giving him Friday off.
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