Wednesday’s slate featured five wins, five saves, four losses, and two blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 705 saves this season by 191 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.9.2026
- Kevin Kelly (TB): Baker has appeared in consecutive contests.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): Fairbanks and Petersen have worked in back-to-back games.
- Lucas Erceg (KC): Lange threw 38 pitches in yesterday’s loss.
- Tyler Ferguson (CHC): Webb and Thornton have pitched over the previous two days.
- Andrew Morris (MIN): Gómez and Rogers have been used in back-to-back contests.
Vulture Save Stashes for 7.10.2026
- Tyler Kinley (ATL): If Iglesias pitches today, it’s back-to-back games and three of the last four.
- Andrew Kittredge (BAL): If Wells appears in today’s game, it will be consecutive contests.
- George Soriano (STL): If O’Brien and Romero are used today, it will be two straight.
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Locking down his 13th save, Tanner Scott fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out two against Colorado’s 6-7-8 pocket. He threw 11 pitches (63% Strike Rate) and generated five whiffs (45.5 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in nine of his last 10 appearances, converting seven of eight save opportunities while posting a 0.80 WHIP with 17 strikeouts versus two walks (40.5 K-BB%) across 10 innings.
- Edgardo Henriquez stranded three runners, inducing an inning-ending flyout by Kyle Karros, and was awarded his fourth win following his team’s go-ahead rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Alex Vesia allowed a hit and a walk, with two strikeouts, in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Jack Dreyer retired the side and struck out one in the seventh.
Scott returning to his dominant form from past seasons will help forge a “superpen” once his teammate returns:
Edwin Díaz faced hitters on Wednesday and could be back by the trade deadline, according to an X post by Adrian Medina that includes video. Plus, Evan Phillips has returned, making a deep bullpen potentially deeper ahead of the postseason.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Edgardo Henriquez
Three Takeaways
The “Airbender” was grounded: In an eventual victory, Tobias Myers allowed three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one across two innings, resulting in his third blown save. Brooks Raley gave up a hit in a scoreless top of the eighth and collected his fourth win on his team’s rally at the bottom of the inning. Luke Weaver warmed up for the save chance, but was not called on when the lead hit five runs. Devin Williams was unavailable after throwing 52 pitches in Atlanta on Sunday and Monday. Xzavion Curry worked the ninth, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one.
The tacked-on runs avoided a potential closer controversy, at least for now. Here are the recent workloads for the Mets’ high-leverage relievers:
Weaver remains worth stashing for those with roster space for ancillary saves or a potential closer role if he’s traded.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Lange unraveled: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the eighth against the Mets’ heart of the lineup, Alex Lange retired Juan Soto and Bo Bichette on groundouts, then things went awry. Francisco Lindor singled, Carson Benge walked, and Jorge Polanco reached on an infield single when Jac Caglianone could not make a flip to first, loading the bases with two outs. Then, Lange hit Jared Young with a pitch, forcing in the go-ahead run, followed by a two-RBI single by Brett Baty, prompting his removal after throwing a season-high 38 pitches (22 strikes – 57.9% Strike Rate) with two whiffs. He finished with three hits, five earned runs, and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. José Cuas let both inherited runners score, throwing a wild pitch and allowing a single by Francisco Alvarez, a double, and an intentional walk (Soto), before an inning-ending strikeout of Bichette.
If the play is made at first base, it may not be a topic of conversation; however, Lange has recorded one decent month (May) with a reduced WHIP, but otherwise has allowed too much traffic. He has allowed five earned runs in two appearances, sandwiched around two saves. Do the saves outweigh the blowups? Here are his splits by month through June and his updated results this season:
For now:
Updated Hierarchy: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | Lucas Erceg
Is there a plan in Pittsburgh? As the first reliever in, Mason Montgomery spoiled the perfect game by allowing a one-out single to Ozzie Albies, then recorded consecutive strikeouts, preserving the scoreless tie. Dennis Santana gave up two hits, including Joey Bart’s go-ahead two-run home run, and suffered his fourth loss in the top of the eighth. This indicates it would have been Gregory Soto in the ninth inning, either in a tied game or with a lead. Among this high-leverage triumvirate, Soto has the last save, posting on June 16. Carmen Mlodzinski has the most recent save, on June 24, a multi-inning outing closing out a lopsided win over Seattle. Teetering on the cusp of competing for the postseason and potentially selling at the trade deadline, the bullpen has to be better. However, can it?
Updated Hierarchy: *Gregory Soto | *Dennis Santana | *Mason Montgomery
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Cleveland Guardians – Tasked with the bottom of the ninth and a tied game, Matt Festa allowed Kody Clemens’ leadoff single, struck out Josh Bell, induced a fielder’s choice groundout by Royce Lewis, gave up a single, a walk, and a walk-off RBI single by Alan Roden, resulting in his second loss.
Cade Smith stranded two runners, issuing a walk and striking out two at the bottom of the eighth, throwing 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2% Strike Rate) with three whiffs (13 SwStr%).
- Hunter Gaddis stranded three runners in the seventh, retiring both batters faced, then gave up two hits in the eighth, forcing his removal.
- Erik Sabrowski incurred his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score and issuing three walks without recording an out in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Minnesota Twins – After keeping the game tied, working around a two-out walk to Travis Bazzanna, Yoendrys Gómez collected his first win on a walk-off at the bottom of the frame. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%).
- Kody Funderburk allowed two hits and struck out three in a scoreless eighth.
- Taylor Rogers let both inherited runners score, giving up two hits and striking out two over two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | Taylor Rogers
Tampa Bay Rays – Sealing a combined shutout and his 25th save, Bryan Baker allowed a leadoff single by Ben Rice, then struck out the next three Yankees, throwing 16 pitches (13 strikes – 81.3% Strike Rate) and inducing four whiffs (25 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last five appearances, converting a save in each, giving up two hits (0.40 WHIP) with six strikeouts (35.3 K-BB%).
- Cole Sulser notched his eighth hold, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: Taking over at the top of the sixth, Keider Montero stranded a runner and logged 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out one. Tyler Holton retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the eighth. Beau Brieske gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth, closing out a five-run lead.
- Los Angeles Angels: Earning his first career win, Samy Natera Jr. took over at the bottom of the fifth and retired all six batters faced, five via strikeout in Texas. He threw 24 pitches (19 strikes – 79.2% Strike Rate) and recorded his whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- Toronto Blue Jays: Summoned with a runner on and no outs in the bottom of the ninth, Tyler Rogers completed the combined one-hit shutout of the Giants, retiring all three batters he faced on four pitches.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Working around a two-out walk, Raisel Iglesias shut the door on his 18th save while preserving a combined shutout in Pittsburgh. He threw 20 pitches (65% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs while striking out two. Bouncing back from his first blown save in almost a year, the veteran closer navigated through the Pirates’ 4-5-6-7 batters.
- Dylan Lee retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the eighth for his 19th hold.
- Dylan Dodd earned his first win, tossing a clean seventh. Didier Fuentes allowed a hit and struck out two in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Chicago Cubs – Preserving a two-run lead in Baltimore, Jacob Webb recorded his fourth save while retiring the 2-3-4 pocket in order on nine pitches (88.9% Strike Rate) without a whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to seven games, during which he owns a 1.091 WHIP with eight strikeouts and five walks over 7.1 innings.
- Caleb Thielbar allowed three hits, including two solo home runs, and struck out two in the eighth.
- Trent Thornton stranded one of two inherited runners, giving up a hit during one-third of the seventh.
- Drew Pomeranz logged 1.1 innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs, but earned his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jacob Webb | *Trent Thornton | Caleb Thielbar
Miami Marlins – Despite a one-out single by Josh Naylor, Pete Fairbanks recorded a strikeout against Luke Raley, moved Naylor to third on a wild pitch, then retired Cole Young on a game-ending strikeout, securing his 13th save in a combined shutout. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. After putting himself on the proverbial hot seat, allowing at least a run in four consecutive outings, he’s been scoreless in his last two, notching a save in each.
- Michael Petersen fired a clean eighth, striking out one and posting his 16th hold.
- Cade Gibson logged two clean frames and struck out three for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
St. Louis Cardinals – Avoiding a sweep against the Brewers, Riley O’Brien closed out a four-run lead, allowing a two-out single by Cooper Pratt and striking out one in a scoreless ninth. He threw 15 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last five games, posting a 0.60 WHIP with three strikeouts.
- JoJo Romero issued a walk and struck out two in a scoreless eighth.
- Luis Gastelum made his major league debut, yielding a hit and retiring two batters, stranding one of two inherited runners.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: With the score tied at the bottom of the eighth, Antonio Senzatela allowed three hits, including Mookie Betts’ go-ahead RBI single, and struck out two, resulting in his first loss. He has given up at least a run in three of his last five appearances. Brennan Bernardino tossed a clean seventh.
- Washington Nationals: Wrapping up a six-run victory over the Astros, Justin Lawrence allowed a hit during a scoreless top of the ninth. Orlando Ribalta gave up two hits and an unearned run while striking out one in the eighth.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Wednesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: