Saturday’s slate was reduced by one game when the Bristol Speedway contest was suspended after an extended rain delay; it will resume today at 1 p.m. ET. Relievers recorded six wins and eight saves while suffering four losses in the remaining 14 games. Three leverage relievers notched their first save of the season, two saves required four outs, and one save was secured by retiring two batters. Here are the saves in condensed form:
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for August 3
- Shawn Armstrong (TEX): Garcia, Maton, and Coulombe have all pitched in back-to-back games.
- Riley O’Brien (STL): Romero threw 27 pitches across 1.1 innings last night.
- Victor Vodnik (COL): Halvorsen left his outing on Saturday after throwing five pitches.
Vulture Save Stashes for August 4
- Griffin Jax (TB): If Fairbanks pitches today, it’s consecutive contests.
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS): If Chapman closes today’s game, it’s three straight outings.
- Anthony Bender (MIA): If Faucher gets used today, it will be back-to-back appearances.
- Yariel Rodríguez (TOR): If Hoffman receives the save opportunity today, it will be consecutive games.
Three Takeaways
(1) Finnegan, again? No matter what A.J. Hinch says, usage patterns tell the story during his team’s save situations. On Saturday, Will Vest took over at the bottom of the eighth against the 9-1-2 lineup pocket, allowing Brandon Marsh’s lead-off single, recorded two strikeouts (Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber), then gave up Bryce Harper’s two-run home run, followed by J.T. Realmuto’s single, prompting his removal. Vest has faced the toughest lineup pockets in both outings after the trade deadline, providing mixed results.
Called upon for a four-out save in his first appearance for the Tigers, Kyle Finnegan answered the bell. He stranded a runner at the bottom of the eighth, inducing an inning-ending groundout against Nick Castellanos, then retired the side against the Phillies’ 6-7-8 hitters while striking out one for his 21st save. He threw 18 pitches (61.1% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
His role remains fluid in the ever-evolving Tigers’ bullpen, but he remains in the mix for saves based on this result.
Updated Hierarchy: *Will Vest | *Kyle Finnegan | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee with match-up tendencies
(2) Akin in the ninth: Capping his team’s comeback rally, Keegan Akin worked around two walks and recorded two strikeouts during a scoreless bottom of the ninth, securing his first save this year, the fourth of his career. He faced the Cubs’ 9-1-2-3-4 hitters, throwing 27 pitches (55.6% strike rate) and inducing two whiffs (7.4 SwStr%).
Akin’s been scoreless in two outings back from the injured list, but has allowed two baserunners in each. Yennier Cano retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the eighth for his 15th hold. Grant Wolfram collected his second win, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless seventh. Corbin Martin navigated around two hits and struck out one during a scoreless sixth.
Martin and Akin have one save each since Félix Bautista was placed on the 15-day injured list. However, this has all the makings of a matchup-based approach by interim manager Tony Mansolino, so tread lightly if targeting saves from this leverage ladder.
Updated Hierarchy: *Keegan Akin | *Yennier Cano | *Corbin Martin
*= closer-by-committee
(3) Romero gets the first post-Helsley save: In the first save chance since the trade deadline, JoJo Romero took over at the bottom of the eighth, allowing Jackson Merrill’s lead-off single, then inducing an inning-ending groundout by Xander Bogaerts. Returning for the ninth, he issued Jose Iglesias’ lead-off walk, retired the next hitters on groundouts, and allowed an RBI single by Freddy Fermin, before a long game-ending flyout against Fernando Tatis Jr., recording his first save. He finished with a hit, an earned run, and a walk, throwing 27 pitches (63% strike rate) with four whiffs (14.8 SwStr%).
This snapped his eight-game scoreless streak. Riley O’Brien was warming up in case he was needed with the pitch count rising and the heart of the Padres’ order on deck. Setting up Romero, Kyle Leahy retired all five batters faced and recorded a strikeout for his 13th hold. He faced the Padres’ 8-9-1-2-3 hitters before being removed. If Romero’s unavailable, it appears Leahy will face right-handed hitting pockets while O’Brien faces an opponent’s best left-handed hitter, which may happen as soon as today.
Hierarchy Remains: *JoJo Romero | *Kyle Leahy | *Riley O’Brien
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events from Saturday.
Leverage Ledger
Boston Red Sox – Forced into action with two runners on and one out at the top of the ninth, Aroldis Chapman retired both batters faced, one via strikeout, preserving the four-run lead for his 20th save.
He threw 12 pitches (83.3% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%) while extending his scoreless streak to five, during which he has converted all three save chances.
- Jorge Alcala gave up a hit and a walk during one-third of the ninth.
- Jordan Hicks worked around two hits and a walk while recording two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth.
- Garrett Whitlock allowed two hits but escaped with a scoreless seventh, securing his 15th hold. He has been scoreless over his last 11 games with a 0.485 WHIP and 15 strikeouts through 10.1 innings.
- Steven Matz recorded a scoreless sixth in his team debut, walking and striking out one for his eighth hold.
- Justin Wilson collected his third win, stranding two runners and striking out both batters faced at the top of the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Jordan Hicks
Chicago White Sox – Will Venable’s reliever roulette landed on Jordan Leasure, and he responded with a clean bottom of the ninth, preserving a combined one-hit shutout of the Angels for his third save. He threw nine pitches (44.4% strike rate) without a whiff.
He owns a three-game scoreless streak and has entered games during the fifth, sixth, and ninth innings in them.
- Brandon Eisert logged 1.2 clean frames and recorded a strikeout while securing his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Steven Wilson | *Jordan Leasure
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Handed a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Hunter Gaddis gave up Edouard Julien’s lead-off double, then bore down, striking out the next three batters for his first save. He threw 15 pitches (66.7% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
- Nic Enright collected his second win, retiring both batters via strikeout at the top of the eighth. He has been scoreless in his last five and may be the latest reclamation project for this organization.
- Eric Sabrowski logged 1.2 clean frames and recorded three strikeouts.
- Matt Festa stranded two runners at the top of the fifth during a scoreless combined inning, striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Nic Enright
Miami Marlins – Preserving a combined shutout and recording his 11th save, Calvin Faucher retired the side while striking out one against the Yankees. He threw 12 pitches (50% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
He has converted his last three save opportunities and extended his scoreless streak to five games.
- Tyler Phillips worked a clean top of the eighth, securing his fifth hold.
- Ronny Henriquez fired a clean seventh and recorded a strikeout, facing the Yankees’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket for his 15th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Ronny Henriquez | *Anthony Bender
*= closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – With the score tied at the top of the 11th, Casey Legumina allowed three hits, two runs (one earned), and recorded a strikeout, resulting in his sixth loss. Caleb Ferguson stranded two runners while retiring both batters, one via strikeout in the 11th.
- Matt Brash gave up two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out one in the tenth.
- Andrés Muñoz worked around Wyatt Langford’s two-out double for a scoreless ninth.
- Gabe Speier retired the side in the eighth.
- Eduard Bazardo tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Texas Rangers – Pressed into duty with a runner on and two outs at the bottom of the tenth, Luis Curvelo retired all four batters and recorded a strikeout while earning his first major league win. He threw 17 pitches (64.7% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%).
Robert Garcia suffered his fifth blown save, allowing a home run for a second straight appearance in Seattle, this one a game-tying two-run shot by Randy Arozarena.
Garcia retired the next two batters, but departed with the trainer, finishing with two hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out one in two-thirds of the tenth.
- Cole Winn worked a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one.
- Phil Maton fired a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Danny Coulombe worked around a hit and two walks while striking out two in a scoreless seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: *Robert Garcia | *Phil Maton | Danny Coulombe
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Locking down his 26th save, Jeff Hoffman retired the side and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a two-run lead against the Royals. He threw 18 pitches (77.8% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
He has converted consecutive saves with clean outings.
- Seranthony Domínguez worked 1.1 clean frames for his 15th hold.
- Brendon Little allowed a hit and an earned run during two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his 21st hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Seranthony Domínguez | Louis Varland
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: During a non-save situation, Kevin Ginkel worked around Carlos Cortes’ lead-off single with a flyout and consecutive strikeouts, finishing a five-run win over the A’s. Kendall Graveman retired the side in the eighth. Andrew Saalfrank worked a clean seventh.
- Chicago Cubs: Called upon with one out and two runners on at the top of the eighth, Caleb Thielbar induced a groundout, then gave up an RBI single, followed by Gunnar Henderson’s go-ahead three-run home run, resulting in his third loss and a third blown save during his two-thirds of the inning.
- Colorado Rockies: After a rain delay, Dugan Darnell issued a walk charged to Seth Halvorsen, induced a double play groundout, allowed Liover Peguero’s third home run, and retired Andrew McCutchen on a groundout, finishing a three-run win over the Pirates. It’s being reported that Halvorsen left his outing with an elbow issue; he will undergo imaging.
- Minnesota Twins: Logging an extended appearance, Pierson Ohl suffered his second loss, giving up four hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two across three innings.
- New York Mets: Taking over at the top of the fifth, Reed Garrett retired all four batters and recorded a strikeout en route to his third win. He threw 21 pitches (60% strike rate) and induced two whiffs.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Entering with a one-run lead and a runner on at the bottom of the sixth, Braxton Ashcraft suffered his second loss and a first blown save, giving up Thairo Estrada’s single, followed by Brenton Doyle’s game-tying RBI single. He finished his two innings with five hits and three earned runs while striking out two.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Completing a combined shutout in a non-save appearance, Pete Fairbanks retired the Dodgers’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket in order, striking out the side on 14 pitches (78.6% strike rate) and generating seven whiffs (50 SwStr%).
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