Saturday’s slate only provided six saves, and four relievers recorded wins. An extra-inning game between the Rays and the Dodgers culminated yesterday’s action, with Tampa Bay emerging with the one-run win in ten innings. Casey Kelly (CIN) made his first major league appearance since 2018, tossing three clean innings for his first career save. Even though the team activated Camilo Doval, Ryan Walker closed out his team’s win in Seattle and will be the closer moving forward.
Our condensed game recaps cover the high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Pierce Johnson (ATL) cashed receipts for our save vultures. He nailed down his second save on an efficient four-pitch outing while retiring the side against the Nationals.
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL) fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout for his sixth save. He’s retired the side in two straight contests and converted all five save chances since August 10 with the Orioles.
- Casey Kelly (CIN) recorded his first career save, finishing an eight-run win over the Pirates with three clean innings while striking out two. This marked his first MLB outing since 2018.
- Tayler Scott (HOU) inherited a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the sixth and suffered his third blown save, allowing Jackson Holliday’s three-RBI double.
- Joe Kelly (LAD) suffered his first loss. He gave up a go-ahead José Caballero two-run home run in the top of the tenth against the Rays.
- Jhoan Durán (MIN) made his first appearance since August 18 while closing out a combined shutout in a non-save capacity. He allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts on 16 pitches (50 Strike%) while generating five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%).
- Ryan Walker (SFG) nailed down his third save. He allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth, preserving a win in Seattle. He’s been scoreless in nine of ten games in August, with 23 strikeouts against two walks over 11.2 innings.
- Garrett Cleavinger (TBR) faced the top of the Dodgers’ lineup with a two-run lead in the bottom of the tenth and held on for his fourth save, allowing an unearned run on a sacrifice fly. Manuel Rodríguez collected his third win. He tossed a scoreless ninth, issuing a walk and striking out two while keeping the game tied.
- Chad Green (TOR) took over with a two-run lead after a failed no-hit attempt and closed out his 14th save while retiring all three batters. He’s been scoreless in his last four appearances and has recorded one win and seven saves through 11 games in August with eight strikeouts against two walks across 10.1 innings.
Vulture Save Options for Sunday. August 25
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Domínguez has pitched in two straight, three of the last four, and four of the previous six. He deserves a day off.
- Camilo Doval (SFG): Walker has appeared on back-to-back days and thrown 39 pitches.
- Génesis Cabrera (TOR): Green has logged outings in consecutive games.
- Daniel Hudson (LAD): Kopech and Phillips worked the previous two days.
Vulture Save Stashes for Monday, August 26
- Chris Martin (BOS): His team will complete a suspended game and play a full one. In a sweep, he could nab an ancillary save.
- Scott Barlow (CLE): A second doubleheader features the Guardians and the Royals. A sweep for Cleveland could feature Barlow unless Clase wants the ball in both contests.
- John Schreiber (KCR): If Erceg appears in Game 1, it could be Schreiber in Game 2.
Three Takeaways
- Dodgers ninth remains fluid: Although Michael Kopech recorded a game-finished and two saves in his previous three appearances, he worked in the top of the eighth on Saturday night against the bottom of the Rays’ lineup. Evan Phillips was lined up for the top of the batting order but took over with a one-run lead against the 3-4-5 hitters instead, allowing a game-tying home run. It’s frustrating from a fantasy standpoint, but Kopech and Phillips will share save opportunities based on lineup lanes with its divisional lead at three games entering game play on Sunday.
- Rays continue their fluidity: Securing his fourth save of the season, Garrett Cleavinger was the team’s preferred option against the top three hitters in the Dodgers lineup, including Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Manuel Rodríguez pitched a scoreless ninth and has taken over the top spot in the team’s hierarchy based on recent usage patterns, though the committee designation remains firmly affixed. Both relievers have pitched on consecutive days, which should translate into Edwin Uceta in the highest–leveraged moment in today’s contest.
- Williams unavailable on Saturday: With a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Milwaukee had Trevor Megill and Bryse Wilson warming up in Oakland. If there were a save chance, it would have been Megill, not Devin Williams. The last time we saw Williams, he struggled with his command during a 31-pitch appearance on Wednesday and threw 48 pitches on back-to-back days. This may have been workload management for the closer, but fantasy managers must monitor his availability and usage patterns over the last five weeks of the season.
Full Game Recaps from Saturday, August 25
Atlanta Braves – Providing his teammates with much-needed rest, Pierce Johnson secured his second save with a clean ninth, finishing a two-run win over the Nationals. He threw four pitches, all strikes.
- Grant Holmes notched his first hold, navigating around two hits during a scoreless eighth.
- Dylan Lee retired the side for his fifth hold in the seventh.
- Aaron Bummer collected his fifth win. He stranded a runner while retiring his only batter (Joey Gallo) via strikeout in the top of the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | Pierce Johnson
Baltimore Orioles – Capping a comeback rally, Seranthony Domínguez shut the door on his sixth save with a clean ninth, preserving a one-run win over Houston. He threw eight pitches (75 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (25 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout. He’s posted consecutive clean appearances and converted all five save chances since August 10.
- Yennier Cano did the heavy lifting, recording his 30th hold. He retired four of five batters while facing the top of the Astros lineup in the eighth, recording three strikeouts.
- Keegan Akin collected his third win. He allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless combined inning, ahead of his team’s three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Seranthony Domínguez | Yennier Cano | Cionel Pérez
Los Angeles Dodgers – Summoned in the top of the tenth, Joe Kelly suffered his first loss. He allowed José Caballero’s go-ahead two-run home run.
- Evan Phillips was tagged with his third blown save. He gave up a game-tying Junior Caminero solo home run in the top of the ninth, then retired the next three batters via strikeout.
- Michael Kopech was credited with his sixth hold. However, his 15-game scoreless streak was snapped after he loaded the bases on two hits and a walk before inducing a sacrifice fly-double play. He escaped with only one earned run allowed.
- Blake Treinen notched his tenth hold, giving up a hit and a walk during a scoreless seventh.
- Ryan Brasier retired the side on six pitches in a clean sixth, securing his fifth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Michael Kopech | *Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson
*= closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – Though reports suggested an off-day for Ryan Walker after logging two innings on Friday, he secured his third save, preserving a one-run win in Seattle. He allowed a two-out single and recorded two strikeouts while throwing 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s been scoreless in nine of ten games in August, with 23 strikeouts against two walks over 11.2 innings.
- Camilo Doval made his return, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings. He gave up a walk and recorded two strikeouts on 19 pitches (9 strikes – 47.4 Strike%) with two whiffs.
- Jordan Hicks was credited with his second hold, allowing a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out one.
- Spencer Bivens collected his third win. He worked three scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Ryan Walker | Tyler Rogers | Camilo Doval
Tampa Bay Rays – Entering with a two-run lead and matched up against the top of the Dodgers’ lineup, Garrett Cleavinger secured his fourth save. He allowed the “place” runner to score on a Mookie Betts sacrifice fly but preserved a one-run win in the bottom of the tenth.
- Manuel Rodríguez collected his third win. He worked a scoreless ninth, issuing a walk and striking out two on 20 pitches (55 Strike%) with three whiffs (15 SwStr%).
- Joel Kuhnel allowed Miguel Rojas’ solo home run during his two innings of relief.
Updated Hierarchy: *Manuel Rodríguez | *Edwin Uceta | *Garrett Cleavinger
*= closer-by-committee
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: