Sunday’s slate featured six wins, 11 saves, three losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 689 saves this season by 190 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.6.2026
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): Not assured of this usage pattern, but Hader and King have pitched in consecutive contests. Enyel De Los Santos could also be in play.
- German Marquez (SD): Miller has pitched in back-to-back games, but could push for a third. Morejon threw 38 pitches across 1.2 innings on Sunday.
Vulture Save Stashes for 7.7.2026
- Milwaukee: Doubleheader – Preferred Option: Chad Patrick; YOLO – Craig Yoho
- St. Louis: Doubleheader – Preferred Option: Ryne Stanek; YOLO – Gordon Graceffo
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Because Sunday’s slate was an avalanche of high-leverage events, outings will be broken down in three categories with a hat tip to Clint Eastwood: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Here are the pertinent leverage events of interest from Sunday.
The Good
American League
Chicago White Sox – Closing out a one-run lead against the Guardians, Sean Newcomb stranded a runner at the bottom of the eighth and worked 1.2 scoreless frames for his third save. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (18.2 SwStr%), walking one while striking out two in his outing. It’s his first save since June 23.
- Erick Fedde collected his fourth win, tossing 5.1 “bulk” innings, giving up eight hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out four.
Updated Hierarchy: *Grant Taylor | *Sean Newcomb | Trevor Richards
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Emerging from A.J. Hinch’s doghouse, Kenley Jansen preserved a three-run lead with a clean bottom of the ninth in Texas for his 10th save. He threw eight pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff while facing the 6-7-8 hitters. This marked his first save since June 20.
Updated Hierarchy: *Kenley Jansen | *Keider Montero | Drew Anderson
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Completing the combined shutout and his ninth save, Josh Hader navigated around Junior Caminero’s leadoff walk, sandwiching two strikeouts around a lineout by Chandler Simpson. Hader threw 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). Through his first 15 appearances, he’s been scoreless in 14, has recorded three wins, and has converted all nine saves, with a 0.60 WHIP and 24 strikeouts against seven walks (31.5 K-BB%) across 15 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan King | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – Sealing a three-run margin and his eighth save, Alex Lange retired the side against the Phillies’ 5-6-7 pocket, throwing 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) without a whiff. It’s his first save this month, and he has been scoreless in five of his last six outings.
Updated Hierarchy: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | John Schreiber
Los Angeles Angels – Appearing in an eventual loss, Kirby Yates retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth against Boston’s 3-4-5 pocket on 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). He has been scoreless over his last six appearances, allowing two hits (0.33 WHIP) while racking up 11 strikeouts with no walks (57.9 K-BB%) since June 20.
Hierarchy Remains: *Kirby Yates | *Sam Bachman | *Ryan Zeferjahn
*= closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – Preserving a combined shutout in a non-save capacity, Andrés Muñoz worked around Nathan Lukes’ leadoff single by retiring the next three batters, including a strikeout of Vlad Guerrero Jr., throwing 14 pitches (57.1 Strike%) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
National League
Chicago Cubs – Illustrating how barren Craig Counsell’s “trust tree” is for his leverage relievers, Jacob Webb was called upon for a two-inning save. He answered the bell, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out one, preserving a two-run lead against the Cardinals. It’s his first save since June 17 and his first multi-inning outing since June 6. He’s been scoreless over his last five appearances, recording two wins and this save while posting a 1.167 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus five walks across six innings.
- Drew Pomeranz allowed a hit and an earned run while striking out one in the seventh. He was awarded his first win of the season.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Webb | Caleb Thielbar | Trent Thornton
Colorado Rockies – After making his team debut yesterday, Jordan Romano recorded his first save for the Rockies and fifth this season, allowing a two-out single by Jung Hoo Lee and striking out two in a scoreless top of the ninth. He preserved the comeback rally, throwing 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
- Victor Vodnik notched his third win, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless eighth, before his team scored three runs at the bottom of the frame.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jordan Romano | *Victor Vodnik | *Jimmy Herget
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Handed a one-run lead, Trevor Megill issued a one-out walk to Ketel Marte, then retired Geraldo Perdomo (pop-out) and Corbin Carroll (flyout), recording his 13th save. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He extended his scoreless streak to 12 games, during which he’s posted a 0.67 WHIP with 15 strikeouts versus three walks (27.3 K-BB%) through 12 innings.
- Drew Rom earned his first win, striking out his only batter (Gary Sánchez) in the bottom of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Pittsburgh Pirates – Finishing off a six-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Dennis Santana worked around Curtis Mead’s two-out single for a scoreless outing. He’s been scoreless in five of his last six, recording a game-finished in five of these contests.
Updated Hierarchy: *Dennis Santana | *Gregory Soto| *Mason Montgomery
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Shutting the door on his 22nd save, Mason Miller fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, finishing off a two-run win over the Dodgers, avoiding a sweep. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). It’s his first save since June 22. He owns a 0.818 WHIP with 67 strikeouts against 13 walks (38.9 K-BB%) through 36.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgely Rodriguez
The Bad
American League
Boston Red Sox – Entering with a three-run lead against the Angels’ 8-9-1 hitters, Aroldis Chapman recorded his 18th save despite allowing Zach Neto’s solo home run. He threw 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%), resulting in two strikeouts. Chapman has allowed at least a run in four of his last seven games, resulting in a 2.50 WHIP across six innings. He has converted four of six save chances in these contests while suffering two losses.
- Greg Weissert collected his first win, stranding a runner at the bottom of the third and retiring all four batters, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Minnesota Twins – Spoiling the combined shutout bid, Yoendrys Gómez took over at the bottom of the ninth, giving up Trent Grisham’s leadoff double, followed by Ben Rice’s single, and an earned run on a double play groundout by Jasson Domínguez. Gómez finished with two hits and an earned run. He has given up a run in two of his last three games.
Hierarchy Remains: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | Taylor Rogers
National League
Cincinnati Reds – Helping his team avoid a sweep, in a white-knuckle ride at the top of the ninth, Emilio Pagán allowed an earned run on a sacrifice fly after issuing two walks and allowing a hit, but preserved the one-run margin for his seventh save, first back from the injured list. He threw 32 pitches (19 strikes – 59.4 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. The good news is that his increase in velocity has held; now he needs to hone his command.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
New York Mets – Forced into action with the lead shrinking at the bottom of the ninth and one out, Devin Williams recorded a strikeout against Ozzie Albies, allowed a double by Matt Olson, then moved him to third on a wild pitch, and he scored on an RBI single by Michael Harris II. Still with two outs, Mauricio Dubón singled, putting two runners on, but Williams bore down and struck out Dominic Smith, ending the game with his 13th save. This snapped his three-game scoreless streak, and from here on out, his saves like this will be a “Devo” because of the hit your WHIP takes.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
San Francisco Giants – With a two-run lead at the bottom of the eighth, Dylan Smith allowed a one-out double, hit a batter, then served up a go-ahead three-run home run by Kyle Karros, resulting in his first loss and first blown save.
Hierarchy Remains: Caleb Kilian | Dylan Smith | Erik Miller
St. Louis Cardinals – Taking over at the bottom of the sixth, Matt Svanson allowed both inherited runners to score on an RBI single by Nico Hoerner and a throwing error on a fielder’s choice. With one out, he induced a sacrifice fly, but an errant throw scored another run, putting two unearned runs on his line, resulting in his second blown save.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Washington Nationals – Brad Lord suffered his second loss, allowing four hits, five earned runs, and a walk across 1.1 innings. Justin Lawrence gave up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Clayton Beeter | *PJ Poulin | *Orlando Ribalta
*= closer-by-committee
The Ugly
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kyle Hurt allowed three hits, including Manny Machado’s three-run home run, four earned runs, and a walk at the top of the seventh in an eventual loss to the Padres.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Will Klein
Miami Marlins – Getting work in with a four-run lead proved problematic for Pete Fairbanks. His outing began with Zack Gelof’s leadoff single, Lawrence Butler’s double, and a passed ball scoring a run without retiring a batter. He bounced back with a strikeout and a pop-out, then an ABS challenge resulting in a walk, with the runner advancing to second on indifference, followed by Jonah Heim’s two-RBI single and a game-ending groundout. All told, Fairbanks allowed three hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out one on 29 pitches (20 strikes – 69 Strike%) with two whiffs. However, he has allowed at least a run in his last four appearances, with multiple hits in three of these contests.
- Michael Petersen stranded a runner, retiring all three batters in the bottom of the eighth and striking out one for his 14th hold.
- Lake Bachar took over a perfect seven-inning outing by Eury Pérez and imploded, giving up four hits, five earned runs, and two walks without recording an out.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Anthony Bender
New York Mets – Huascar Brazobán had a meltdown, allowing four hits, five earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in one-third of an inning at the bottom of the ninth.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Sunday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: