Caleb Kilian: Everything you need to know

Kilian struck out one over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Dodgers. Kilian was left a bit of a mess from Sam Hentges in the eighth inning, but he got Andy Pages to line out to end the threat. Kilian then retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up the second save of his career. He's regressed a bit after a dominant April, allowing three runs (two earned) with a 3:5 K:BB across 5.1 innings in May. Kilian is at a 1.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB with two saves and two holds over 19.1 innings this season. He's the current favorite for saves in the Giants' bullpen, though he may end up sharing the closing duties once Erik Miller (back) returns. That said, Kilian's ratios, aside from a high walk rate, are enticing enough to be of value to fantasy managers chasing saves.

Kilian picked up a save against the Padres on Monday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two batters over one inning. With regular closer Ryan Walker having blown two straight save chances, manager Tony Vitello opted to turn to Kilian to protect a two-run, ninth-inning lead. Kilian gave up a long homer to Ramon Laureano to open the frame but was then able to set down Fernando Tatis, Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado in order. Walker didn't end up pitching in the contest, but he spent some time warming up during the seventh inning, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, so he was likely available to pitch. It's not clear if the Giants are turning away from Walker as their closer just yet, though that wouldn't be surprising given his struggles so far (he's blown three of six save chances and has a 4.61 ERA through 14 appearances). Should Walker in fact be moved out of the closer role, Kilian and Keaton Winn could be the top options to step into his place, especially with Erik Miller (back) landing on the injured list Monday.

Kilian (1-1) took the loss in Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning defeat to the Rays, allowing one unearned run on two hits and an intentional walk across one relief inning. Kilian entered in the ninth inning, during which he surrendered a single. He returned for the 10th and intentionally walked the first batter he faced before giving up an RBI single to end the game. He threw 12 of his 15 pitches for strikes while suffering his first loss of the season. Across 14 relief outings in 2026, the right-hander owns a 0.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB across 15 innings.