Wednesday provided five reliever wins and nine saves across a full 15-game slate. It featured another sullied save for Héctor Neris in Tampa Bay and a white-knuckle ride with Trevor Megill closing out a win over the Blue Jays.
Today will mark the return of Edwin Díaz with the Mets, and his manager said he will be the closer, resetting the team’s hierarchy:
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Adam Ottavino
Andrés Muñoz received an injection for pain on Tuesday, and his availability will be determined daily, but he’s trending in a positive direction. Still, fantasy managers should not cut Ryne Stanek until adjusted usage patterns clarify roles in this leverage ladder.
Our condensed and full game recaps cover Wednesday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Nailing down his 16th save, Craig Kimbrel fired a clean top of the ninth, recording one strikeout while preserving a two-run win over Atlanta.
(RP | BOS): Although he allowed an earned run, Kenley Jansen recorded his tenth save, finishing a two-run win over the Phillies. He allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one.
(RP | CHW): Steven Wilson suffered his third loss when he first appeared off the injured list. During his one-third of the tenth inning, he issued an intentional walk (Dominic Canzone) and allowed a walk-off RBI single by Mitch Haniger.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
(RP | MIN): With no outs and the lead cut to three in the top of the eighth, the Twins summoned Jhoan Durán. Although he issued a walk to his first batter faced, he bore down, inducing a double play and an inning-ending pop-out for his fourth hold.
(RP | OAK): Entering a tied game in the bottom of the ninth, Mason Miller recorded an out then allowed a walk-off home run by Jackson Merrill, resulting in his first loss.
(RP | SEA): Following a clean top of the tenth, Trent Thornton collected his third win in the bottom of the inning courtesy of a walk-off RBI single by Mitch Haniger.
(RP | TBR): Entering in the seventh with a runner on, Garrett Cleavinger gave up a walk and a go-ahead three-run home run by Cody Bellinger, resulting in his first loss and first blown save.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Garrett Cleavinger
(RP | TEX): Aided by a play at the plate, Kirby Yates held on for his ninth save. He allowed a lead-off single, issued a two-out walk, and after a Jason Heyward scored a run, the second runner was thrown out at home, closing out a one-run win.
(RP | TOR): Taking over in the sixth, Zach Pop suffered his first loss and first blown save, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk over two-thirds innings.
Hierarchy remains: Yimi García | Chad Green | Nate Pearson
National League
(RP | ATL): With the game tied in the bottom of the eighth, Joe Jiménez suffered his second loss. He allowed three hits, including a go-ahead two-run home run by Colton Cowser, and recorded two strikeouts against the Orioles.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | Pierce Johnson
(RP | CHC): Taking over in Tampa Bay with a two-run lead, Héctor Neris held on for his tenth save. He allowed a solo home run among his two hits and issued a walk before finishing a one-run victory. It seems like it’s never easy during his high-leverage events.
(RP | CIN): Securing his 14th save, Alexis Díaz fired a clean top of the ninth, preserving a two-run win over Cleveland.
(RP | MIL): With two runners on and no outs, Trevor Megill took over in the ninth. He did let both inherited runners score, but turned in a scoreless outing. He allowed an RBI-single and a walk while striking out one for his 11th save.
(RP | PHI): Taking over in the bottom of the fifth with the score tied, José Ruiz gave up three hits and two earned runs while striking out one, resulting in his first loss.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer
(RP | SDP): After tossing a scoreless top of the ninth and keeping the game tied, Robert Suarez collected his fourth win courtesy of a Jackson Merrill walk-off home run in the bottom of the inning. This marked three straight outings by the Padres’ closer.
(RP | SFG): In a much-needed clean appearance, Camilo Doval secured his 12th save while striking out one closing out a two-run win over Houston.
(RP | STL): Working around a lead-off single by Oneil Cruz, Ryan Helsley recorded his MLB-leading 22nd save with a scoreless ninth, striking out one.
(RP | WSH): Handed a three-run lead, Kyle Finnegan recorded his 19th save despite giving up a solo home run (Riley Greene), closing out a two-run win in Detroit and striking out one.
Vulture Save Options for Thursday, June 13
- JoJo Romero (STL): Helsley has appeared in two straight and Romero’s experience in the ninth inning last year should provide him the vulture save chance today.
- Hayden Wesneski (CHC): This will be a roll of the dice, but for the risk averse, he could receive the save chance with Neris working the last two contests.
- Derek Law (WSH): He’s been sneaky good recently combined with Finnegan and Harvey throwing in the previous two games.
Vulture Save Options for Friday, June 14
- Yennier Cano (BAL): If Kimbrel pitches today, it will be consecutive outings and three of the last four, placing Cano atop the hierarchy for Friday’s save.
- Joel Payamps (MIL): He’s bubbled back into the second spot in Milwaukee’s hierarchy and if Megill pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances.
American League – Full Recaps
Baltimore Orioles – Capping a two-run rally in the bottom of the eighth, Craig Kimbrel shut the door on his 16th save, retiring the side and striking out one against Atlanta. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) versus the 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He’s allowed one unearned run over his last 12 appearances with 13 strikeouts against one walk while converting all eight save chances. Keegan Akin suffered his second blown save, allowing Matt Olson a game-tying two-run home run. He also collected his second win courtesy of his team’s two-run rally at the frame’s bottom. Dillon Tate tossed two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Cionel Pérez
Boston Red Sox – Making his first appearance not on a Sunday since May 21, Kenley Jansen held on for his tenth save. He allowed a lead-off double by Bryce Harper, balked him to third, and a sacrifice fly, cutting the lead to two. Jansen recovered with a strikeout, a walk, and a game-ending flyout by David Dahl. His final line was a hit against, one earned run, and a walk while striking out one. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. This snapped a four-game scoreless streak for the veteran closer. Justin Slaten secured his fifth hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless eighth. Brennan Bernandino navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless seventh. Zack Kelly was credited with his third hold, allowing an earned run on a walk and striking out two. Cam Booser collected his first win, firing a clean fifth and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Justin Slaten | Greg Weissert
Minnesota Twins – Wrapping up a lopsided win, Jay Jackson allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out three in the top of the ninth against the Rockies. Jhoan Durán was forced into action in the eighth, taking over with two runners on and no outs. Despite issuing a walk to his first batter faced, he induced a double play, scoring an inherited runner and an inning-ending pop-out by Charlie Blackmon for his fourth hold. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. This marked his first hold since May 10. Caleb Thielbar created the mess, giving up a hit, three runs (one earned), and two walks without recording an out in the eighth. Steven Okert allowed three hits and two earned runs in the seventh. Jorge Alcala gave up a hit and an earned run in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Caleb Thielbar
Oakland A’s – For a second time this month, Mason Miller allowed a home run. This one by Jackson Merrill resulted in Miller’s first loss. He retired Ha-Seong Kim on a groundout, then served up the walk-off home run. He’s allowed at least a run in three of his last five appearances, with four strikeouts against two walks and a 1.17 WHIP through six innings. Lucas Erceg returned from the injured list and was tagged with his third blown save. In the eighth, he gave up a walk and a two-run home run by Donovan Solano. T.J. McFarland secured his eighth hold, tossing a clean seventh and striking out one. Dany Jiménez fired 1.1 clean frames and recorded three strikeouts for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Austin Adams
Seattle Mariners – After tossing a clean top of the tenth, Trent Thornton collected his third win courtesy of a Mitch Haniger walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the inning. Thornton threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). Tayler Saucedo retried Danny Mendick in the ninth, stranding a runner. Mike Baumann suffered his third blown save, giving up a game-tying pinch-hit home run by Luis Robert Jr. during his two-thirds of the ninth. Austin Voth fired a clean eighth, striking out the side for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Tayler Saucedo
Texas Rangers – In a chaotic finish, Kirby Yates held on for his ninth save in a one-run win over the Dodgers. He allowed a lead-off single by Will Smith, recorded two outs, then walked Andy Pages ahead of a double by Jason Heyward. Smith scored, but Pages was thrown out at home, which was confirmed by the review after a collision at home plate. Yates threw 23 pitches (17 strikes – 73.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff during his first save since May 28. David Robertson notched his 13th hold, striking out the side in the eighth versus the top of the lineup. José Leclerc logged two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two for his second hold. Jacob Latz earned his second win, tossing two scoreless frames and giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
National League – Full Recaps
Chicago Cubs – Another white-knuckle ride with Héctor Neris in the ninth ended with him recording his tenth save. However, with one out, he allowed a solo home run (José Caballero), a single by Ben Rortvedt, and a walk before retiring Yandy Díaz and Brandon Lowe. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. It’s a fine line, and fantasy managers must account for the risk Neris presents to a team’s ratios. Drew Smyly notched his first hold, tossing two clean frames and striking out three. Tyson Miller collected his first win, retiring all four batters, two via strikeout. He also stranded two runners in the fifth for Javier Assad.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Hayden Wesneski
Cincinnati Reds – Locking down his 14th save, Alexis Díaz retired the side against Cleveland’s 1-2-3 hitters, including a game-ending pop-out by José Ramírez. Díaz threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s converted his last seven save opportunities since May 21 with 10 strikeouts versus five walks and a 1.03 WHIP over 8.2 innings. Sam Moll secured his fifth hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one. Lucas Sims recorded his tenth hold, issuing a walk and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims| Fernando Cruz
Milwaukee Brewers – Forced into action in the top of the ninth, Trevor Megill took over with two runners on and no outs. He let both inherited runners score while giving up a hit and a walk but held on for his 11th save, preserving a one-run win over Toronto. His outing began with a wild pitch, moving runners to second and third and allowing an RBI single by Bo Bichette. After walking Danny Jansen, Megill struck out George Springer and gave up a sacrifice fly by Alejandro Kirk, followed by a game-ending lineout by Vlad Guerrero Jr. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%), getting one whiff in his outing. He’s converted three straight save chances and been scoreless through five games this month. Hoby Milner allowed three hits and three earned runs while striking out two during a combined inning of relief. Bryan Hudson fired a clean seventh, striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Bryan Hudson
San Diego Padres – Appearing for a third straight game, Robert Suarez worked around a one-out single by Miguel Andujar for a scoreless ninth and recorded one strikeout. He collected his fourth win courtesy of a walk-off home run by Jackson Merrill in the bottom of the inning. Suarez threw 19 pitches (10 strikes – 52.6 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s registered two straight wins and owns a modest six-game scoreless streak. Jeremiah Estrada allowed an earned run on an RBI double by Zack Gelof and walked one while striking out two in the eighth. Yuki Matsui tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one. Stephen Kolek retired all three batters in the sixth, two via strikeout while stranding three runners. Wandy Peralta suffered his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score. He gave up three hits, an earned run, and a walk without recording an out in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Yuki Matsui
San Francisco Giants – Recording his 12th save and first clean outing since May 19, Camilo Doval retired the side while striking out one, preserving a two-run win over the Astros. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%) versus the 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven games with a 1.64 WHIP through 6.2 innings. Tyler Rogers secured his 12th hold, tossing a scoreless eighth. He gave up a hit and struck out one while facing the top of the lineup. Ryan Walker notched his 13th hold during a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
St. Louis Cardinals – Bouncing back with a scoreless ninth, Ryan Helsley navigated around a lead-off single by Oneil Cruz for his MLB-leading 22nd save, preserving a two-run win over the Pirates. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%) while recording a strikeout in his outing. He’s been scoreless in four of his five appearances this month, with eight strikeouts versus two walks over five innings. Andrew Kittredge gave up a solo home run by Henry Davis and struck out two in the eighth for his 18th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | JoJo Romero | Andrew Kittredge
Washington Nationals – Remaining the only reliever with every one of his team’s saves, Kyle Finnegan recorded his 19th despite giving up a solo home run by Riley Greene, finishing a two-run win in Detroit. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout in his outing. He’s converted all four save chances in June, but both earned runs against have been solo home runs through six appearances. Hunter Harvey appeared in the eighth after throwing 32 pitches yesterday, retiring all three batters faced and striking out one for his MLB-leading 20th hold. Dylan Floro gave up three hits and two earned runs without recording an out in the eighth. Robert Garcia allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out two in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Merch Store
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Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Dedniel Núñez of the Mets, with video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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