Tuesday’s slate featured six wins, eight saves, five losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 700 saves this season by 191 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.8.2026
- Bryan King (HOU): Hader has pitched in three of the previous four games, logging 51 pitches.
Vulture Save Stashes for 7.9.2026
- Adrian Morejon (SD): If Miller pitches tonight, it’s back-to-back games and four in five days.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): If Fairbanks pitches today, it will be consecutive contests and three in four.
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Sealing his team’s two-run lead and his 24th save, Bryan Baker allowed Ali Sánchez’s two-out single before a game-ending strikeout of Trent Grisham. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff.
He has been scoreless in 15 of his last 16 appearances, converting all 13 save opportunities while posting a 0.529 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and three walks (19.7 K-BB%) through 17 innings. He’s been a savior for those who took a chance on him early this season. Even though his 1.78 ERA may migrate toward his 2.56 xERA or his 3.13 SIERA, he has limited traffic (0.82 WHIP) and has been effective against hitters from both sides of the plate:
- Baker vs. LHH: 70 batters faced, 16:5 K:BB (15.7 K-BB%), .197 wOBA, 0.75 WHIP
- Baker vs. RHH: 66 batters faced, 22:6 K:BB (24.2 K-BB%). .230 wOBA, 0.90 WHIP
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Three Takeaways
Cubs carousel continues: Preserving a three-run lead, Trent Thornton nailed down his second save, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the ninth in Baltimore. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in six of his last seven games, recording a win, two saves, and a hold. Tyler Ferguson notched his second hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one. Jacob Webb only stranded one of three inherited runners, allowing a two-RBI single by Adley Rutschman, then recorded an inning-ending strikeout of Gunnar Henderson for his sixth hold. Ryan Rolison made the mess, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two. Adding Drew Pomeranz as a free agent also helps, putting Thielbar on notice for competition for the highest-leverage left-handed reliever. Stay tuned.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jacob Webb | *Trent Thornton | Caleb Thielbar
*= closer-by-committee
Dodgers 2026 Debut: In his first MLB appearance since May 5, 2025, Evan Phillips tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing a hit and striking out two against the Rockies. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs.
His return coincides with recent struggles by Kyle Hurt and Will Klein. Also in this contest, Jack Dreyer suffered his second blown save, allowing both inherited runners to score at the top of the eighth. Klein gave up a hit, three unearned runs, and a walk, resulting in his third loss and a 12th hold. For now, but Phillips may be in the leverage picture sooner rather than later:
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Will Klein
Another Angels’ meltdown: A rough outing for Sam Bachman resulted in his second loss. He took over a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, allowing six hits, including a three-run home run by Alejandro Osuna, and five earned runs over two-thirds of an inning. Tayler Saucedo was charged with his first blown save, giving up two hits, including a game-tying solo shot by Justin Foscue, and recording two strikeouts in the seventh. Sitting last in the majors in saves (10), this bullpen remains an issue for a franchise in flux.
Updated Hierarchy: Kirby Yates | Chase Silseth | Sam Bachman
Here are the pertinent leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
American League
Boston Red Sox – Closing out a seven-run margin against the White Sox, Ryan Watson retired the side and struck out two at the bottom of the ninth.
- Garrett Whitlock notched his 14th hold with a clean eighth.
- Justin Slaten stranded two runners, recording two strikeouts at the bottom of the seventh for his tenth hold.
- Danny Coulombe allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk while retiring one batter in the seventh.
- Aroldis Chapman warmed up for the save, but was not needed after his teammates scored four runs at the top of the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Houston Astros – Forced into action at the bottom of the ninth with a runner on and two outs, Josh Hader allowed a single to Curtis Mead and walked CJ Abrams, then struck out Dylan Crews for his tenth save. He finished with a hit and a walk with the strikeout on 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8% Strike Rate) and two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). The good news is that he extended his scoreless streak to nine games; however, he has issued a walk in his last three and six over his last five.
- Alimber Santa gave up two hits, including a solo home run, and struck out one in two-thirds of the ninth.
- Bryan Abreu tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Bryan King notched his 12th hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in the seventh.
- Enyel De Los Santos allowed a hit during a scoreless sixth, getting his eighth hold.
- Steven Okert collected his second win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan King | Bryan Abreu
Minnesota Twins – With a fantasy-favorite one-out save, Yoendrys Gómez took over with two outs and a two-run lead, then retired his only batter (Gabriel Arias) on a game-ending strikeout for his tenth of the season. He only needed three pitches (all strikes) and induced three whiffs.
- Taylor Rogers issued a walk and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in the ninth, securing his eighth hold.
- Andrew Morris fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his 13th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | Taylor Rogers
Seattle Mariners – Tasked with the bottom of the tenth in Miami, Michael Rucker takes the loss, his second. He issued a one-out walk, followed by a walk-off RBI single by Jakob Marsee, scoring the “courtesy runner.”
Andrés Muñoz fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one and throwing 10 pitches (70% Strike Rate) with two whiffs.
- Gabe Speier suffered his first blown save, allowing a solo home run and two walks while striking out one in the bottom of the eighth.
- Eduard Bazardo worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Jose A. Ferrer tossed a clean sixth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: After working a scoreless eighth, Brandon Eisert returned for the ninth, allowing two hits, four earned runs, and two walks, while recording two outs. Trevor Richards let his only inherited runner score, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one during his one-third of the ninth.
- Kansas City Royals: Although he allowed one of two inherited runners to score, Beck Way recorded two outs and earned his first win against the Mets. Matt Strahm allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk at the bottom of the eighth. Lucas Erceg retired the side in the ninth, preserving a four-run margin.
- Texas Rangers: Wrapping up a five-run lead, Tyler Alexander allowed a hit and struck out two in the top of the ninth against the Angels. Peyton Gray earned his fourth win, giving up a hit and striking out two in the top of the eighth, and his teammates scored five runs at the bottom of the frame.
- Toronto Blue Jays: As the “bulk follower,” Patrick Corbin collected his third win, tossing 2.1 innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out two. Jeff Hoffman retired both batters, one via strikeout, at the bottom of the seventh. Mason Fluharty worked a clean eighth, striking out one. Louis Varland finished off a six-run lead by retiring the side and striking out one in the ninth.
National League
Colorado Rockies – Despite allowing a leadoff single to Alex Freeland and walking Teoscar Hernández, Jordan Romano closed out a one-run lead against the Dodgers to earn his sixth save. He retired Shohei Ohtani on a pop-out, Andy Pages on a flyout, and produced a game-ending strikeout of Freddie Freeman. He threw 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2% Strike Rate) and induced four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%). This marks back-to-back save appearances and three scoreless outings for his new team.
- Juan Mejia earned his second win, logging two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Victor Vodnik | Jimmy Herget
After retiring the side in the top of the tenth, Cade Gibson earned his second win on a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning.
Pete Fairbanks allowed a two-out single by Randy Arozarena and struck out two in a scoreless ninth. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7% Strike Rate) and generated five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%), snapping his four-game streak of allowing at least a run.
- Calvin Faucher suffered his fourth blown save, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in the eighth.
- John King gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk but recorded his fourth hold in the seventh.
- Michael Petersen notched his 15th hold, tossing a clean sixth and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
Milwaukee Brewers – (Game 1) – Abner Uribe secured a one-run lead with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, walking and striking out one on 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) while producing one whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to nine games, spanning ten innings.
- Aaron Ashby allowed two hits and struck out one during a scoreless eighth for his sixth hold.
(Game 2) – Closing out an eight-run victory, Craig Yoho stranded a runner at the bottom of the eighth and retired all four batters, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Philadelphia Phillies – Shutting the door on his 22nd save, Jhoan Duran allowed Spencer Steer’s one-out single while striking out three, preserving a three-run win over the Reds. He threw 20 pitches (70% Strike Rate) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%). This extends his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he has a 0.889 WHIP with 15 strikeouts versus one walk (41.2 K-BB%) across nine innings.
- Jonathan Bowlan notched his third hold, stranding three inherited runners with an inning-ending strikeout of Eugenio Suárez at the bottom of the eighth.
- Orion Kerkering retired two batters and issued three walks during two-thirds of the eighth, getting his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Orion Kerkering | José Alvarado
San Diego Padres – Locking down his 23rd save, Mason Miller fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out two and sealing a three-run lead against the Diamondbacks. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He’s converted each save chance this season, posting a 0.796 WHIP with 69 strikeouts and 13 walks (39.4 K-BB%) over 37.2 innings.
- Bradgely Rodriguez notched his sixth hold, retiring the side in the eighth.
- Jhony Brito made his season debut, stranding two runners by inducing an inning-ending double-play groundout in the sixth and logging 1.2 clean frames with a strikeout for his first hold.
- Yuki Matsui allowed two hits and struck out one during one-third of the sixth for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgely Rodriguez
Quick Hits
- New York Mets: Another rough night for this bullpen. Making his team and major league debut, Matt Seelinger allowed five hits, seven earned runs, and four walks, while striking out two across the seventh and eighth innings. Huascar Brazobán let two of three inherited runners score in the fifth and logged two innings, scattering three hits and walking two while striking out two, resulting in his third blown save.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Called on at the top of the seventh, Carmen Mlodzinski fired two clean frames while striking out two on 24 pitches (75% Strike Rate) with three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last five relief outings, posting a 0.833 WHIP with eight strikeouts against two walks over 12 innings.
- St. Louis Cardinals (Game 1) – Taking over a tied game at the top of the seventh, Ryne Stanek allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk without recording an out. JoJo Romero stranded one of two inherited runners, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in the seventh.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Tuesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: