Saturday’s 17-game slate featured six games decided by five runs or more. Still, relievers recorded six wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save (Graham Ashcraft), and five saves versus six losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB | BF |
| Robert Suarez | 30 | 17 | 64.7 | 23.5 | 2:0 | 4 |
| Emmanuel Clase | 24 | 12 | 66.7 | 0 | 0:0 | 3 |
| Edwin Díaz | 22 | 14 | 71.4 | 42.9 | 1:0 | 4 |
| Aroldis Chapman | 18 | 17 | 52.9 | 5.9 | 1:1 | 4 |
| David Bednar | 16 | 13 | 76.9 | 30.8 | 2:0 | 3 |
| Tyler Phillips | 1 | 45 | 68.9 | 4.4 | 4:0 | 15 |
Varied usage patterns make for a light forecast for the save streamers:
Vulture Save Option for July 27
- Cade Smith (CLE): Clase and Gaddis worked in both games of yesterday’s doubleheader.
*Emilio Pagán and David Bednar have pitched in three consecutive games this season. If they are rested today:
- Cincinnati: Scott Barlow
- Pittsburgh: Isaac Mattson
Vulture Save Stash for July 28
- Michael Kelly (ATH): If Miller pitches today, it’s back-to-back games and three in the last four.
Trade Deadline Links
News, Notes, and Observations
Baltimore Orioles – Needing to clear one more hurdle on his rehab, Keegan Akin could be activated as soon as Monday:
On Saturday, he retired both batters faced, one via strikeout on ten pitches (60% strike rate).
Detroit Tigers – Signed free agent Luke Jackson after he was designated for assignment by Texas. His role in the hierarchy will be determined, so there will be no changes to the current hierarchy.
Hierarchy Remains: Will Vest | Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
Los Angeles Dodgers – While this leverage ladder remains fluid, last year’s postseason star, Blake Treinen, could be back today, but not available until Monday, per Bill Plunkett:
The team will also be transitioning Bobby Miller into a relief role at Triple-A:
Lastly, but not least, Bill Shaikin made his case for the team to reacquire Kenley Jansen in this Los Angeles Times post.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Saturday.
Leverage Ledger
Atlanta Braves – Called upon during a tied game at the bottom of the tenth, Enyel De Los Santos intentionally walked Corey Seager, then allowed Marcus Semien’s walk-off RBI single, resulting in his third loss.
Raisel Iglesias could not preserve a one-run lead, giving up a one-out walk to Josh Jung, who was replaced by pinch-runner Sam Haggerty, who stole second base and scored on Jonah Heim’s game-tying RBI double. His illustrator:
And results with the double happening against his change-up:
After posting a 15-game scoreless streak, Iglesias has allowed at least a run in two of his last three appearances.
- Pierce Johnson fired a clean top of the eighth, recording two strikeouts.
- Dylan Lee worked a clean seventh and recorded one strikeout.
- Dane Dunning fired two clean frames, striking out four.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Dylan Lee | Pierce Johnson
Boston Red Sox – Securing his 18th save, Aroldis Chapman navigated around Esteury Ruiz’s two-out walk with a game-ending strikeout of Mookie Betts, preserving the two-run lead. He threw 17 pitches (52.9% strike rate) and induced one whiff.
It’s his first save in the second half, and he has been scoreless in six of seven appearances in July, posting a 0.685 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus one walk (37 K-BB%) through 7.1 innings.
- Garrett Whitlock fired a clean top of the eighth and recorded two strikeouts for his 13th hold, extending his scoreless streak to eight games.
- Justin Wilson allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless seventh, notching his 14th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Jordan Hicks
Cincinnati Reds – For a second straight appearance, Emilio Pagán finished a win over the Rays in a non-save capacity. He took over with a four-run lead against the 7-8-9 lineup pocket, retiring the side on three lineouts, throwing 11 pitches (72.7% strike rate) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he has a 1.053 WHIP with five strikeouts against two walks through 5.2 innings.
- Tony Santillan notched his 21st hold, yielding a hit and striking out three in a scoreless top of the eighth.
- Graham Ashcraft gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk, resulting in his third blown save. However, he collected his sixth win courtesy of a two-run rally at the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Cleveland Guardians – (Game 1) – Taking over with a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Emmanuel Clase walked lead-off hitter John Rave, a leverage no-no, but redeemed himself by picking off the “place” runner at second base. However, after issuing another walk to the ninth-place hitter, Luke Maile, Clase served up a walk-off, three-run home run by Jonathan India, resulting in his third loss and a fifth blown save. He only threw six of 15 pitches for strikes (40% strike rate) while getting one whiff.
This outing snapped his seven-game scoreless streak.
- Hunter Gaddis retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the ninth.
- Cade Smith stranded a runner at the bottom of the seventh and retired all four batters faced, one via strikeout.
(Game 2) – Bouncing back quickly, Emmanuel Clase preserved a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth in the nightcap for his 24th save, retiring the side on 12 pitches (66.7% strike rate).
- Hunter Gaddis also appeared in both games of the doubleheader, recording his 20th hold with a scoreless eighth despite giving up a hit.
- Nic Enright logged two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts, securing his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
Kansas City Royals – (Game 1) – Despite giving up two hits, including Kyle Manzardo’s go-ahead RBI single at the top of the tenth, Steven Cruz collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off home run at the bottom of the inning. He finished with two hits, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one.
- Carlos Estévez navigated around a hit and a walk, recording two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the ninth. He threw 20 pitches (70% strike rate) and induced two whiffs.
- Lucas Erceg stranded a runner at the top of the seventh and retired all four batters, one via strikeout, keeping the game tied.
- John Schreiber allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh, resulting in his second blown save.
- Angel Zerpa worked two-thirds scoreless in the sixth, giving up a hit and striking out one for his ninth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | John Schreiber
Miami Marlins – In old-school fashion, Tyler Phillips earned his first career save while logging four innings against Milwaukee. He allowed three hits, including Andrew Vaughn’s solo home run, and recorded four strikeouts, throwing 45 pitches (68.9% strike rate) with two whiffs. This represents his longest relief outing this season and snapped his six-game scoreless streak.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ronny Henriquez | *Anthony Bender | *Calvin Faucher
*= highest-leverage reliever in a closer-by-committee
New York Mets – With a hat tip to his defense, Edwin Díaz notched his 22nd save, working around Jung Hoo Lee’s one-out double with a strikeout and a game-ending lineout snagged by Pete Alonso, preserving a one-run win over the Giants. He threw 14 pitches (71.4% strike rate) and generated six whiffs (42.9 SwStr%) with only one strikeout.
Since June 6, he has recorded 16 scoreless appearances, two wins, and converted nine of ten save chances with 0.675 WHIP and 23 strikeouts against three walks (32.9 K-BB%) through 16.1 innings.
- Ryne Stanek retired the side and secured his eighth hold in the eighth inning.
- Reed Garrett fired a clean seventh, striking out two for his 19th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Ryne Stanek | Gregory Soto
Pittsburgh Pirates – Completing a combined shutout and securing his 16th save, David Bednar retired Arizona’s 4-5-6 lineup pocket in order. He threw 13 pitches (76.9% strike rate) and generated four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%).
He extended his scoreless streak to 13 games, during which he has a win and converted all six save chances with a 0.846 WHIP and 17 strikeouts against four walks (26.5 K-BB%). This marked his 100th career save, all with the Pirates, for now.
- Dennis Santana worked a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one for his 12th hold.
- Caleb Ferguson fired a clean seventh, striking out one, notching his tenth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Dennis Santana | Caleb Ferguson
San Diego Padres – Locking down his MLB-leading 30th save, Robert Suarez hit a batter and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless bottom of the ninth against the Cardinals’ 3-4-5-6 hitters. He threw 17 pitches (64.7% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%).
He has converted a save in each of his last six appearances while being scoreless with seven strikeouts (35 K-BB%).
- Jason Adam issued a walk but was scoreless at the bottom of the eighth, securing his 25th hold.
- Jeremiah Estrada stranded a runner at the bottom of the sixth and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit while striking out two. He was awarded his fourth win as a result.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Texas Rangers – Tasked with the top of the ninth during a tied game, Shawn Armstrong allowed Michael Harris II’s lead-off triple, resulting in an earned run. After his teammates re-tied the contest, he tossed a scoreless top of the tenth and collected his fourth win at the bottom of the inning.
Jon Gray suffered his first blown save, allowing a game-tying solo home run by Harris II while logging three innings and recording three strikeouts. He threw 29 pitches (75.9% strike rate) and induced two whiffs. Through two relief appearances, he has posted a 0.40 WHIP with three strikeouts across five innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Garcia | Shawn Armstrong | Jon Gray
The Athletics – Finishing a four-run win in Houston, Mason Miller retired the side and recorded a strikeout on 19 pitches (68.4% strike rate) with four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
After this outing, he owns an 11-game scoreless streak, during which he has converted all six save opportunities while posting a 0.561 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against four walks across 10.2 innings.
- Sean Newcomb notched his third hold, tossing two scoreless frames, walking one, and striking out four.
- Justin Sterner worked 1.2 innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one. He was awarded his third win as a result.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Michael Kelly | Sean Newcomb
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Entering a scoreless tie at the top of the seventh, Jordan Leasure allowed three hits, including two home runs, and three earned runs, resulting in his sixth loss.
- Detroit Tigers: Summoned against the top of Toronto’s lineup, Will Vest allowed a pinch-hit lead-off single by Joey Loperfido, followed by George Springer’s single, and a wild pitch put them both into scoring position. After inducing a groundout against Vlad Guerrero Jr., Vest gave up Bo Bichette’s two-RBI single, before retiring the next two batters, resulting in his second loss.
- Houston Astros: In an eventual loss, Bryan Abreu retired the side at the top of the eighth on seven pitches (71.4% strike rate) with one whiff (14.3 SwStr%).
- San Francisco Giants: During a one-run loss, Randy Rodríguez tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, giving up a two-out infield single by Francisco Lindor while striking out three on 14 pitches (71.4% strike rate) with three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%).
- St. Louis Cardinals: Summoned with two on and two outs trailing by two, John King retired his only batter at the top of the ninth. Andre Granillo allowed two hits and an earned run, but was ejected after hitting Manny Machado with a pitch. Riley O’Brien retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the eighth.
- Tampa Bay Rays: With the game tied, Bryan Baker took over at the bottom of the seventh, but issued two walks and recorded a strikeout before being removed. Garrett Cleavinger entered with two runners on and two outs, issuing Matt McClain a walk to load the bases, then gave up Elly De La Cruz’s go-ahead two-RBI bloop single, putting two earned runs on Baker’s ledger and his fourth loss.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Taking over at the bottom of the seventh, Braydon Fisher retired the side against Detroit’s 6-7-8 hitters and collected his fourth win when his teammates scored two runs at the top of the eighth.
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