Tuesday’s slate featured three wins, seven saves, three losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 766 saves this season by 202 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.22.2026
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): It may be a matchup-based approach, but Hader has pitched in back-to-back games. If left-handed hitters project for the ninth, it could be Steven Okert or Bennett Sousa.
- John Schreiber (KC): Lange has pitched in consecutive contests.
Doubleheader Options
- Baltimore Orioles: Preferred Option: Andrew Kittredge; YOLO: Grant Wolfram
- Boston Red Sox: Preferred Option: Justin Slaten; YOLO: Jovani Morán
- New York Yankees: Preferred Option: Paul Blackburn; YOLO: Angel Chivilli
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Preferred Option: Mason Montgomery; YOLO: Carmen Mlodzinski
Vulture Save Stashes for 7.23.2026
- Colin Holderman (CLE): If Smith and Gaddis pitch today, it will be back-to-back games.
- Jonathan Loáisiga (ARI): If Sewald and Morillo pitch in today’s game, it’s two straight appearances for each.
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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
Although he let the “courtesy runner” score at the top of the tenth on a sacrifice fly, Kevin Ginkel collected his fourth win courtesy of a two-run rally at the bottom of the inning.
Paul Sewald suffered his second blown save, allowing a two-out triple, followed by Jacob Wilson’s game-tying two-run home run. He also recorded two strikeouts, throwing 22 pitches (19 strikes – 86.4% Strike Rate) and produced four whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has allowed at least a run in three straight games in the second half and in four of his last six overall. Home runs have been an issue; he’s served up five in his last 11 outings.
- Ryan Thompson gave up three hits, including a solo home run in the eighth, and was credited with his seventh hold.
- Juan Morillo worked a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two for his 11th hold.
- Taylor Clarke notched his 12th hold with a clean sixth.
Among relievers, only three have allowed more than Sewald’s nine this season: Justin Sterner (11), Miles Mikolas (10) as a bulk follower, and Matt Strahm (10). The veteran Diamondbacks closer is also within one home run of tying his career high, set in 2021 (10 in 64.2 IP) and 2022 (10 in 64 IP). There was nothing in Torey Lovullo’s postgame comments suggesting a change would be happening anytime soon regarding roles in his bullpen, but Sewald’s definitely on the watch list. There is a fine line between absorbing the ratios spike for his saves by fantasy players. Hope lies in his strikeouts-to-walk rate and SIERA, but can he finish off hitters when ahead in the count?
In the near term, Morillo could earn more save chances if Sewald’s struggles continue. Justin Martinez projects to return in mid-August and be closing games by the end of the month or in September as well.
Hierarchy Remains: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Brandyn Garcia
Three Takeaways
A Royal rebound: Sealing a one-run lead and his ninth save, Alex Lange issued Jung Hoo Lee a one-out walk, then retired the next two batters. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) and induced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts against the Giants’ 5-6-7-8 hitters. It’s his first save since July 5 and snapped a three-game streak of allowing at least a run. John Schreiber allowed a walk during a scoreless eighth, securing his seventh hold. Matt Strahm stranded a runner and retired both batters in the sixth, one via strikeout, for his 12th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | John Schreiber
Shutout preserved: Closing out a combined shutout, Devin Williams allowed a leadoff single by Jake Bauers, then retired the top of the Brewers’ lineup on two flyouts sandwiched around a groundout by Brice Turang. He threw 15 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in his first two appearances in the second half. Brooks Raley fired a clean eighth, striking out one. Luke Weaver notched his 14th hold, tossing a clean seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Should he stay or will he go? Working into and then out of trouble, Mason Miller allowed a one-out single by Jim Jarvis, moved him to second with a wild pitch, and walked Drake Baldwin before recording back-to-back strikeouts, preserving a five-run win in Atlanta. He registered three strikeouts, throwing 21 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and inducing four whiffs (19 SwStr%). Miller has been scoreless in his last six appearances, racking up 12 strikeouts while issuing two walks (41.7 K-BB%) over six innings.
In Jeff Passan’s updated trade deadline rankings, Miller is fourth:
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgely Rodriguez
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
American League
Cleveland Guardians – Locking down his MLB-leading 29th save, Cade Smith fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one while preserving a three-run lead against the Twins. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in seven of eight appearances this month, posting a win and converting all three saves with a 0.375 WHIP over eight innings.
- Hunter Gaddis stranded two runners at the top of the seventh and retired all four batters, one via strikeout, securing his 19th hold.
- Shawn Armstrong was credited with his eighth hold, but allowed two hits and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Colin Holderman stranded a runner and walked one in one-third of the sixth, collecting his fifth win.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Houston Astros – Securing his 11th save, Josh Hader worked around Javier Sanoja’s leadoff double with a strikeout, a groundout by Otto Lopez, and a game-ending popout against Kyle Stowers. He threw 12 pitches (83.3% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff. Through seven games in July, he’s been scoreless in five with a 1-1 record and three saves. He’s posted a 2.064 WHIP with eight strikeouts and three walks across 5.1 innings.
- Bennett Sousa notched his first hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Angels: Despite allowing Jordan Walker’s leadoff single at the top of the ninth and a hit batter with two outs (José Fermin), Ryan Zeferjahn recorded two strikeouts while preserving a four-run lead. He threw 20 pitches (55% Strike Rate) and generated five whiffs (25 SwStr%). Chase Silseth retired both batters in the eighth, striking out one.
- Minnesota Twins: As the bulk follower, Mike Paredes gave up six hits, two earned runs, and a walk across his three innings, resulting in his third loss. Taylor Rogers let one of two inherited runners score, yielded two hits, an earned run, and a walk in his 1.1 innings.
- Texas Rangers: Preserving a combined shutout while logging three innings, Marco Gonzalez recorded his first career save in a lopsided win over the White Sox. He gave up two hits and two walks while striking out two, throwing 49 pitches (31 strikes – 63.3% Strike Rate) with two whiffs. This was his team debut and only his ninth relief outing as a major leaguer.
- The Athletics: After logging two innings on Monday, Luis Medina was asked to protect a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth. He struggled with his command, a sign of fatigue, issuing two walks, allowing Nolan Arenado’s game-tying RBI single scoring the “courtesy runner,” recording a strikeout, followed by a walk-off opposite-field single, resulting in his second loss and a third blown save. Hogan Harris gave up a hit during a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied.
National League
Cincinnati Reds – Nailing down his eighth save, Emilio Pagán fired a clean bottom of the ninth and struck out one in Seattle. He threw 11 pitches (81.8% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). This marks his first save since July 5.
- Julian Garcia allowed Julio Rodríguez’s solo home run and recorded a strikeout in the eighth for his first hold.
- Brock Burke issued two walks while stranding an inherited runner, credited with his tenth hold in one-third of the seventh.
- Tejay Antone logged 1.1 innings, giving up a solo home run and a walk, securing his fourth hold.
- Sam Moll gave up a hit and a walk with one strikeout in one-third of the sixth for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
Colorado Rockies – Capping his team’s go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth, Jordan Romano retired the side while striking out two against Washington’s 9-1-2 hitters, preserving a one-run lead. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his first two outings in the second half.
- Juan Mejia earned his third win, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the eighth.
- Jimmy Herget suffered his second blown save, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk with one strikeout in the seventh.
- Victor Vodnik gave up a hit in a scoreless sixth.
- Brennan Bernardino logged 1.1 scoreless innings and struck out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Juan Mejia | Brennan Bernardino
Los Angeles Dodgers – Taking over with one out at the bottom of the eighth, Tanner Scott struck out Kyle Schwarber and induced an inning-ending flyout against Bryce Harper, protecting a one-run lead. He returned for the ninth and worked around Alec Bohm’s leadoff single and J.T. Realmuto’s one-out double with a game-ending double play on a fielder’s choice rundown at the plate, then Realmuto in a baserunning snafu. Scott notched his 15th save, giving up two hits and striking out two on 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8% Strike Rate) with five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%).
- Evan Phillips retired both batters in the seventh and his only batter in the eighth, recording two strikeouts in his outing for his first hold.
While his last hurdle for a return will be working on consecutive days, Edwin Díaz could be activated as soon as this weekend, though the team’s upcoming homestand next week may mark his actual return date:
Scott will still be a high-leverage factor and will accrue ancillary saves when necessary, but fantasy managers should have backup plans in place.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Edgardo Henriquez
Quick Hits
- New York Mets: Closing out a combined shutout, Devin Williams allowed a leadoff single by Jake Bauers, then retired the top of the Brewers’ lineup on two flyouts sandwiched around a groundout by Brice Turang. He threw 15 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in his first two appearances in the second half. Brooks Raley fired a clean eighth, striking out one. Luke Weaver notched his 14th hold, tossing a clean seventh.
- San Francisco Giants: Summoned with two runners on at the bottom of the sixth, Sam Hentges allowed Vinnie Pasquantino’s game-tying RBI single, hit a batter, and recorded a strikeout before being removed. He suffered his second blown save as a result. Keaton Winn let one of his three inherited runners score on a Nick Loftin single, then retired the next two batters in the sixth.
- Washington Nationals: With the score tied at the bottom of the eighth, Clayton Beeter allowed a go-ahead solo shot by Hunter Goodman, resulting in his third loss. Matt Krook navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one in the bottom of the seventh. Orlando Ribalta stranded all three inherited runners, striking out both batters in the sixth.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Tuesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: