Monday’s slate featured ten wins (one accompanied by a blown save), six saves, five losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 759 saves this season by 201 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.21.2026
- Andrew Kittredge (BAL): Wells has pitched in three of the previous four days.
- Drew Anderson (DET): Jansen and Holton have pitched in back-to-back games and Montero is slated for a spot start tomorrow.
Vulture Save Stashes for 7.22.2026
- Justin Slaten (BOS): If Chapman and Whitlock pitch tonight, it’s consecutive appearances and four in a five day span.
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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
Despite giving up a game-tying two-out, two-run home run by Willy Adames, resulting in a second blown save for Alex Lange, he collected his first win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. After recording back-to-back strikeouts upon entry, he finished with two hits and two earned runs, throwing 19 pitches (13 strikes – 69.4% Strike Rate) and inducing two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%). He has allowed a home run in consecutive appearances, at least a run in three straight, and in four of his last six.
- Daniel Lynch IV notched his 11th hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Steven Cruz retired the side in the seventh for his second hold.
One would think Lange’s leash would be shorter than it is, but usage patterns suggest otherwise. His splits are in a downward spiral, as are his recent results:
He may get the next save chance, but it should not assured.
Hierarchy Remains: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | John Schreiber
Three relievers recorded their first save of 2026, featured in our next segment.
Three Takeaways
A Herculean effort in Atlanta: Stepping up for his teammates who were unavailable in the bullpen, Victor Mederos stranded an inherited runner at the top of the seventh and logged 2.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one for his first career save. He threw 29 pitches (69% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs. He will not be entering the high-leverage triumvirate anytime soon, but he could be cementing his status in the bullpen moving forward, according to Mark Bowman in this post for MLB.com.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Washington’s Burn and churn lands on Cosgrove: Sealing a win in Colorado, Tom Cosgrove retired all six batters for his first save of the season, second of his career. His only other save was during his rookie season in 2023 on September 27 for the Padres. He threw 10 pitches (70% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless through his first four appearances with Washington. Matt Krook fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his second hold. Riley Cornelio earned his first career win, issuing two walks across 1.2 scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Tom Cosgrove | *Orlando Ribalta
*= closer-by-committee
Holton holds on: Handed a three-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Tyler Holton allowed two hits and an unearned run while recording his first save of the season and first since September 13, 2024. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. Kenley Jansen gave up Dansby Swanson’s leadoff double, intentionally walked Pete Crow-Armstrong with one out, and issued a two-out walk to Michael Bush before recording an inning-ending strikeout of Alex Bregman, keeping the game tied. Jansen earned his second win courtesy of his team’s rally at the top of the tenth. He has been scoreless across 5.1 innings in six games this month, but walks remain a concern. Jansen has allowed eight baserunners, five on walks, while striking out six in this sample, resulting in a 20.8 percent walk rate, illustrated by his rolling game chart trends:
Kyle Finnegan suffered his sixth blown save, giving up two hits, including Ian Happ’s game-tying two-run home run during his 1.1 innings. Jacob Waguespack notched his first hold, yielding a hit and striking out one across 1.1 scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Kyle Finnegan | Keider Montero
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Summoned with a runner on and two outs at the bottom of the seventh, Tyler Wells retired Wilyer Abreu on a flyout. Returning for the eighth, he retired Willson Contreras and Masataka Yoshida via strikeout, then served up a go-ahead solo shot by Caleb Durbin, resulting in his second loss. He finished with three strikeouts across his 1.1 innings, making one mistake.
- Yennier Cano suffered his second blown save, giving up two hits, including Ceddanne Rafaela’s game-tying RBI single, during his two-thirds of an inning.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tyler Wells | *Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
*= closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox – Navigating around a leadoff walk and a two-out double by Gunnar Henderson, Aroldis Chapman capped his team’s comeback win, inducing a game-ending lineout by Tyler O’Neill for his 22nd save of the season and the 389th of his career, moving within one of tying Dennis Eckersley for ninth all-time. Chapman threw 22 pitches (72.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (9.1 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last five appearances.
- Garrett Whitlock earned his fifth win, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the eighth, ahead of his team’s go-ahead run at the bottom of the inning. This extended his scoreless streak to 12 games, during which he’s recorded a win, two saves, and eight holds with a 0.353 WHIP over 11.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Chicago White Sox – As the first reliever in, Chris Murphy took over at the bottom of the fifth and retired all four batters, one on a strikeout, earning his third win.
- Jordan Hicks secured his fourth hold, walking one and striking out two in two-thirds of the sixth.
- Seranthony Domínguez served up Jake Burger’s solo home run and struck out two in the seventh for his fourth hold.
- Sean Newcomb navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless eighth, notching his eighth hold.
- Finishing off a seven-run lead, Trevor Richards worked a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Grant Taylor | Sean Newcomb | Jordan Hicks
Houston Astros – In order of appearance, Enyel De Los Santos stranded a runner at the top of the fifth and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit while striking out two. He earned his first win as a result.
- Steven Okert navigated around two hits and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh, securing his 13th hold.
- Bryan Abreu worked into and out of trouble, yielding a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth.
- Josh Hader finished off the game in a non-save capacity, allowing three hits, though a ball took a tough bounce on Jeremy Peńa, resulting in an earned run.
Updated Hierarchy: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
New York Yankees – Forced into action at the top of the eighth, Fernando Cruz stranded an inherited runner with an inning-ending strikeout, then returned for the ninth and retired the side, including consecutive strikeouts, securing his second save. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6% Strike Rate) and racked up seven whiffs (41.2 SwStr%).
- Tim Hill allowed two hits during two-thirds of the eighth, and was credited with his ninth hold.
- Brent Headrick notched his 12th hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out two.
- Angel Chivilli earned his first win, logging 1.1 scoreless innings while issuing a walk.
Updated Hierarchy: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Brent Headrick
The Athletics – Securing his seventh save and his team’s first since June 25, Hogan Harris preserved a three-run lead in Arizona, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless bottom of the ninth. He threw 26 pitches (17 strikes – 65.4% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (11.5 SwStr%). It’s Harris’ first save since June 12, and he has been scoreless in his last three outings.
- José Suarez retired the side in the eighth for his second hold.
- Luis Medina earned his second win, logging two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out two. He’s emerging as a trusted option and could be an source of saves after the trade deadline.
Updated Hierarchy: *Hogan Harris | *Mark Leiter Jr. | Luis Medina
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Angels: Benefiting from his team’s walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth, José Fermin collected his third win. He worked a scoreless top of the ninth, issuing a walk and striking out two against the Cardinals’ 2-3-4-5 batters. Samy Natera Jr. fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Seattle Mariners: Completing a combined shutout, Michael Rucker fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side against the Reds’ 2-3-4 hitters. Cole Wilcox issued a walk in the eighth. Nick Davila notched his second hold, retiring the side in the seventh.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Making his first appearance of the second half, Bryan Baker issued Kazuma Okamoto a leadoff walk, followed by Daulton Varsho’s single, then bore down, inducing a double-play grounder by Alejandro Kirk and a game-ending Andrés Giménez lineout. He has been scoreless in his last six outings
National League
Chicago Cubs – Forced into the top of the tenth following an injury, Javier Assad let both inherited runners score with some shoddy defense, giving up two hits and an unearned run on his ledger, walking one and striking out two.
- Trent Thornton was tagged with his third loss, allowing a comebacker off his leg and two runs (one earned); he left after facing Riley Greene.
- Jacob Webb tossed a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one.
- Tyler Ferguson gave up Dillon Dingler’s solo home run in the eighth.
Before this game, the team designated Drew Pomeranz for assignment and placed Phil Maton back on the 15-day injured list.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jacob Webb | *Trent Thornton | Caleb Thielbar
*= closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – Tasked with a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Caleb Kilian gave up a leadoff single by Josh Rojas, had Tyler Tolbert reach on a sacrifice bunt during a defensive lapse by his teammates, retired Carter Jensen on a flyout, putting runners on the corners, followed by a walk-off sacrifice squeeze, resulting in his sixth loss. He has given up a run in two of his last three, three of his last five, and in five of his last seven, pushing his ERA to 4.81.
- Jason Foley worked a clean bottom of the eighth.
- Dylan Smith stranded two runners in the seventh, retiring both batters, one via strikeout.
Roles may be fluid through the end of the month. For now:
Updated Hierarchy: *Erik Miller | *Caleb Kilian | Keaton Winn
*= closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals – Entering with a one-run lead, Riley O’Brien recorded a strikeout against Mike Trout, allowed a single by Nolan Schanuel, hit Jorge Soler with a pitch, followed by Vaughn Grissom’s game-tying RBI double. With one out and first base open, he intentionally walked Josh Lowe, then hit Jo Adell with a pitch, scoring the game-winning run, resulting in his fourth loss and fifth blown save. He threw 21 pitches (8 strikes – 38.1% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He had been scoreless in his previous eight appearances and had his consecutive save streak snapped at 12.
Despite his streaks before this game, his swinging strike rate has been declining and if his command is lacking, outings like this will occur. Monitor his 4.68 xERA. His quality of contact allowed has been trending in the wrong direction.
- George Soriano gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth, securing his 15th hold.
- Ryne Stanek tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | George Soriano | Ryne Stanek
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: With the score tied at the top of the seventh, Kevin Ginkel allowed four hits and three earned runs while striking out one, resulting in his third loss.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Pressed into duty with two outs and a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Jhoan Duran induced a game-ending groundout by Teoscar Hernández.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Appearing in an eventual loss, Dennis Santana allowed a hit and emptied the benches after inducing an inning-ending double-play groundout by José Caballero in the bottom of the eighth. Brandon Eisert tossed a clean seventh, striking out one. Wilbert Dotel logged three scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out five on 56 pitches (37 strikes – 66.1% Strike Rate) with seven whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Monday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: