Saturday’s slate featured six wins (one accompanied by a blown save), six saves, six losses, and six blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 748 saves this season by 197 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.19.2026
- Justin Slaten (BOS): Chapman and Whitlock have pitched in back-to-back games.
- Juan Morillo (ARI): Sewald, Ginkel, and Garcia have pitched in consecutive contests, opening the second half.
- Aaron Ashby (MIL): Megill and Uribe have been deployed in the two previous games.
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Wells and Kittredge have appeared in two straight games.
Doubleheader Options
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Preferred Option – Edgardo Henriquez; YOLO – Evan Phillips
- New York Yankees: Preferred Option – Paul Blackburn; YOLO – Brent Headrick
Vulture Save Stashes for 7.20.2026
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): If Smith pitches again today, it will be back-to-back games.
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Both trade deadline primers were updated with statistics through the first half:
American League Trade Deadline Primer
National League Trade Deadline Primer
(Game 1) – Isaac Mattson finished off a six-run lead with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, giving up a hit and striking out two. Carmen Mlodzinski notched his second hold, tossing three scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out two on 41 pitches (30 strikes – 73.2% Strike Rate) with five whiffs (12.2 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in six of his last seven relief appearances, recording two wins, a save, and two holds while posting a 0.944 WHIP over 18 innings. In this outing, he leaned into his split-fingered fastball:
(Game 2) – Dennis Santana took over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, allowing a single, a double with the runner thrown out at home, and a one-out walk-off two-run home run by Travis Bazzana, resulting in his fifth loss. He has allowed multiple runs in three of his last four appearances, begging the question, was he the best option in this situation?
- Gregory Soto let both inherited runners score in the eighth on a wild pitch and an RBI single. He was charged with his fifth blown save, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of an inning.
- Brandon Eisert stranded two runners in the seventh with a strikeout, then gave up three hits, including an RBI single by Chase DeLauter, prompting his removal. However, he had three earned runs on his ledger but was credited with his second hold.
- Yohan Ramírez gave up two hits and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds of the seventh for his sixth hold.
Deploying Mlodzinski in Game 1 and Mason Montgomery as the “opener” in Game 2 removed two of the most reliable relievers with a potential sweep, leading 3-0 after seven innings. If the team is serious about contending for the playoffs, it must improve its bullpen options for high-leverage situations or utilize its best options (Montgomery and Mlodzinski) more effectively.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gregory Soto | *Mason Montgomery | *Carmen Mlodzinski
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Sewald’s recent struggles: The good news is that Paul Sewald recorded his 23rd save, closing out an eventual two-run win over the Cardinals. However, he allowed Jimmy Crooks’ solo home run while recording two strikeouts at the top of the ninth. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff. Sewald’s allowed a run in back-to-back appearances and at least a run in three of his last five, five of his previous eight, and eight of his last ten games, moving his ERA from 3.08 to 4.58 in the process.
Fatigue could be a factor. He only threw 39.2 innings in 2024 and 19.2 last year. Hope lies in his SIERA, but fantasy managers will monitor his results through the end of the month. Here are his updated splits this season:
Help could be on the way in August:
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Brandyn Garcia
Changing of the guard for the Giants: Taking over at the bottom of the tenth with the score tied, Dylan Smith allowed a walk-off sacrifice fly following a sacrifice bunt and a walk, resulting in his second loss. Erik Miller fired a clean ninth, striking out two against Seattle’s 6-7-8 batters, throwing 12 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). Keaton Winn stranded two runners, hitting Randy Arozarena with a pitch and retiring Josh Naylor on a groundout in the eighth. Sam Hentges stranded a runner in the seventh on a pickoff play, then gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one, retiring two of four batters.
Things remain in flux until the next save chance occurs. However, Caleb Kilian appeared in a non-save situation, closing out a combined shutout on Friday while Jason Foley made his season debut. Additionally, the trade deadline could also affect who receives save opportunities over the last two months of the season. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: *Erik Miller | *Dylan Smith | Keaton Winn
*= closer-by-committee
Cade comes through: With the score tied at the top of the ninth, Cade Smith retired the side while striking out two on 13 pitches (69.2% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%).
He collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He has been scoreless in six of seven games in July, but he has only two saves in as many chances.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Making a strong first impression with his new team, Cam Sanders recorded his first career save, retiring the Astros in order and striking out one at the bottom of the 11th, sealing a two-run lead. He threw nine pitches (88.9% Strike Rate) and generated three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) facing the 6-7-8 hitters.
- Andrew Kittredge earned his first win and third blown save, allowing two hits and an unearned run at the bottom of the 10th. A bunt single and an RBI ground-rule double plated the “courtesy runner” before a flyout double play, cutting down a runner at home, and an inning-ending bunt attempt kept the game tied.
- Tyler Wells worked a clean ninth and struck out one facing the bottom third of the lineup.
- Yennier Cano retired the side in the eighth.
- Rico Garcia let one of two inherited runners score, issuing a walk during two-thirds of the seventh, resulting in his second blown save.
Hierarchy Remains: Tyler Wells | Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
Boston Red Sox – Handed a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Aroldis Chapman battled his command and worked around consecutive two-out walks with a game-ending groundout, posting his 21st save. He threw 20 pitches (40% Strike Rate) and did not induce a whiff against the Rays. Appearing in consecutive contests, his velocity was down almost two ticks with his sinker.
- Garrett Whitlock nailed down his 18th hold, retiring the side on eight pitches at the top of the eighth.
- Ryan Watson allowed Jonny DeLuca’s solo home run and recorded two strikeouts across his two innings, collecting his first win courtesy of his team’s four-run rally at the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Houston Astros – Tasked with the top of the 11th, Enyel De Los Santos gave up two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out two en route to his third loss.
- Steven Okert allowed an infield single and a sacrifice bunt, scoring the “courtesy runner” while recording a strikeout in the tenth.
- Josh Hader fired a clean ninth, striking out the side on 13 pitches (69.% Strike Rate) while producing four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%).
- Bryan Abreu retired the side on 15 pitches in the eighth.
- A.J. Blubaugh logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Josh Hader | Bryan King | Bryan Abreu
Tampa Bay Rays – Entering at the bottom of the fourth, Kevin Kelly logged two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- Casey Legumina gave up a hit and an earned run, facing five batters between the sixth and seventh innings, and was credited with his sixth hold.
- Cole Sulser allowed an RBI double and two unearned runs while striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh, though he left with two runners on, replaced by Garrett Cleavinger. He suffered his third loss and third blown save, serving up a go-ahead three-run home run by Wilyer Abreu and retiring one batter, putting an earned run on his ledger.
- Cam Booser tossed a clean eighth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Texas Rangers – Preserving a one-run lead and securing his 19th save, 10th requiring four or more outs, Jacob Latz stranded a runner in the eighth, retiring all four batters, one via strikeout, in Atlanta. He threw 15 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%) facing the top of the batting order. Latz has been scoreless in his last six games, posting a 0.625 WHIP while recording a win and four saves.
- Jakob Junis notched his 12th hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Tyler Alexander allowed two hits and an earned run in the seventh, resulting in his eighth hold.
- Robby Ahlstrom stranded both inherited runners, retiring his only batter in the sixth for his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Tyler Alexander
Toronto Blue Jays – Slamming the door on his 20th save, Louis Varland fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout, preserving a 1-0 win over the White Sox. He threw nine pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and generated three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.96 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 13 walks (28.5 K-BB%) while converting all 20 save chances over 50 innings.
- Tyler Rogers allowed a hit and struck out one in the eighth, securing his 20th hold.
- Jeff Hoffman worked the seventh, walking one and striking out two for his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: During a one-run shutout loss, Jordan Hicks retired the side at the bottom of the eighth, extending his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he’s racked up 15 strikeouts and one walk (45.2 K-BB%) across nine innings. Sean Newcomb tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
- Kansas City Royals: Called on at the top of the fifth with the bases loaded and one out, Steven Cruz induced an inning-ending double-play groundout by Manny Machado. Daniel Lynch IV took over, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings, earning his third win.
- Seattle Mariners: After stranding the “courtesy runner” and working around an intentional walk (Casey Schmitt) at the top of the tenth, Jose A. Ferrer earned his third win on a walk-off at the bottom of the inning. He threw 16 pitches (62.5% Strike Rate) without a whiff while striking out one in his outing. Andrés Muñoz fired a clean ninth, striking out two on nine pitches, all strikes, and inducing one whiff.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Keeping his team within one run, Raisel Iglesias retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth against Texas.
- Didier Fuentes tossed a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Danny Young gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless seventh.
- Dylan Lee let his only inherited runner score, allowing three hits, an earned run, and struck out one during two-thirds of the sixth.
- Tyler Kinley allowed two hits, three earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the sixth, resulting in his fourth loss and a blown save.
- JR Ritchie worked a scoreless fifth, yielding a hit and striking out one for his second hold.
- Dylan Dodd stranded all three inherited runners in the third and retired all four batters, two on strikeouts.
Updated Hierarchy: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Chicago Cubs – Closing out a four-run lead over the Twins, Jacob Webb escaped with a scoreless top of the ninth despite allowing three hits, benefiting from a runner thrown out at home and at second base following Brooks Lee’s single, followed by a game-ending strikeout. He retired one batter in this game, but remains scoreless in his last 10 appearances.
- Trent Thornton gave up a hit during a scoreless top of the eighth.
- Caleb Thielbar allowed Kody Clemens’ solo home run and struck out two in the seventh.
Also, here is the latest update on Daniel Palencia:
Hierarchy Remains: *Jacob Webb | *Trent Thornton | Caleb Thielbar
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Summoned with a two-run lead and no outs at the top of the ninth, Trevor Megill retired all three batters, one via strikeout, locking down his 15th save. He threw 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%) facing the Marlins’ 9-1-2 batters. He owns a 15-game scoreless streak, during which he’s converted all seven save chances while recording a 0.67 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and three walks (29.1 K-BB%) through 15 innings.
- Craig Yoho worked a clean top of the eighth. Returning for the ninth, he hit leadoff hitter Liam Hicks with a pitch, walked Leo Jiménez, and served up Griffin Conine’s three-run home run, prompting his removal.
- Abner Uribe secured his 14th hold, giving up a hit and striking out three in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: Wrapping up a seven-run lead, Zach Agnos allowed a hit during a scoreless top of the ninth against the Reds. Brennan Bernardino gave up a hit and recorded three strikeouts in a scoreless eighth. Juan Mejia let his only inherited runner score, giving up a hit and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Miami Marlins: Calvin Faucher allowed three hits, four earned runs, and two walks while striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth, resulting in his fifth loss and a blown save.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Saturday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: